Never expected violence, arson threats from teachers, says CP
Times of India | 12 April 2025
1234 Kolkata: Kolkata Police commissioner Manoj Verma claimed on Friday that the police did not expect teachers to assault cops and resort to violence. "It was a teachers' programme. What can you expect? Nobody expects that teachers will resort to violence," said Verma.
Verma also claimed that certain outsiders were identified who were present outside the Kasba District Inspector (DI) office on April 9. Their role in the violence — and whether it was instigated by them — is being investigated, said the commissioner.
He claimed that it was a ‘Tala Lagao' (lock the door) programme. "It never indicated it would entail breaking of the lock. In reality, that was what actually transpired… We are being vilified and demonised ever since that incident. But can a teacher assault the police? So far, there has not been a single word of condemnation for those who attacked and injured the police… If the police lathicharge, there might be some injuries, but it is very much within the law to act if they are attacked. If someone broke the law, then action will follow," said Verma at Lalbazar.
The commissioner gave examples of the seriousness of the injuries inflicted on cops. Sergeant Tanmoy Mondal spent three days in hospital and was advised 14 days of bed rest. "Doctors will then decide on an MRI scan. His complete recovery will take time. Thirteen of our personnel were injured. Protesters climbed on the bodies of woman cops to scale the main gate. SI Riton Das sustained injuries to his groin and chest. He was slapped and punched on his ear, and his glasses were broken. Who would take responsibility if he received injuries to his eyes or ears? Will teachers assault cops in such a manner?" asked Verma.
The commissioner said video footage confirmed that outsiders were involved. "But I will not comment on an ongoing investigation. We are collecting CCTV and video footage. This continued on Friday too. Arrests are not important. It is part of a process. Now, we are concentrating on gathering evidence," said CP Verma.
Verma also stated that not more than 10-20 cops were initially posted at the DI office before extra personnel were rushed in. "We had information about the protests. I alerted myself. It was expected that teachers would be there. It was when we reached there that we realised that outsiders were also present. Later, a review of the video footage confirmed our suspicion," said Verma.
Verma said that he maintained, just as in the past, that what transpired was undesirable but said multiple steps have been taken in the past six months to ensure every cop knows how to behave with a citizen — whether an elderly citizen, a woman, or a teacher. "We might make mistakes, but we are trying not to repeat them. Each week — on Monday and Friday — we are meeting and evaluating our instructions in this regard. Whether I am meeting officers at Lalbazar monthly, or I am visiting police stations, I am repeating the instructions," said Verma.
The protest, held by unemployed teachers at DI offices across the region, turned violent at Kasba after protesters found the school inspector absent. A video showing SI Ritan Das kicking a protester sparked widespread controversy.
Joint commissioner (crime) Rupesh Kumar presented video and screenshot evidence showing chronological progression of events and protesters using concrete slabs to break the locks. According to Kumar, the protesters gathered at Ballygunge station around 12.11 pm and broke through the first barricade at 12.18 pm, damaging a lock a minute later using concrete slabs. By 12.20 pm, "provocation to break the lock and set the office on fire" was made. Two minutes later, confrontations with cops began near final collapsible gate. Kumar emphasised that police maintained calm initially and only responded with force after being provoked. Kumar noted that protesters were heard making inflammatory statements, including threats to "break the lock" and "burn it with petrol".