Hours after police lathi-charged protesting teachers outside Bikash Bhawan on Thursday evening, the Bengal police defended their actions and asserted that all necessary protocols were followed.
Addressing the media, Supratim Sarkar, Additional Director General (ADG) of South Bengal, stated, “The teachers who lost their jobs were protesting peacefully for the last 10 days. However, on the intervening day, the crowd swelled to around 2,000-2,500 people. The protestors broke through police barricades and blocked all exits, declaring that no one would be allowed to leave the building. We have respect for their sentiments; if we had wanted to use force, we could have done so earlier when the gates were breached.”
Sarkar added that Bikash Bhawan, which is the location of the state Education department, houses over 55 offices and that police officers spent nearly seven hours negotiating with the protestors. “We received panic calls from inside the building, including one from a pregnant woman who wanted to go home. We repeatedly requested the protestors to let people exit. Our intent was not to stifle protest but to ensure the safety of those trapped inside,” he said.
The situation escalated when the police attempted to evacuate people from the premises and were allegedly attacked by the protestors. “Bricks and bottles were hurled at us. Nineteen police personnel were injured. This is not how democratic protest should be conducted,” Sarkar said, adding that legal action would be taken against those who “instigated” the violence.
He also mentioned that Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation Chairman Sabyasachi Dutta, who was present at the scene for official work, was allegedly heckled, and his car was allegedly stopped.
Jawed Shamim, ADG Law and Order, echoed Sarkar’s statements. “We used only as much force as was necessary. It was not a rampant lathi charge. There are suo motu cases filed for breaking government property and holding people hostage. Our goal was solely to bring out those stuck inside the building.”
He emphasised that while police do not deny the use of force, it was a measured response, and the use of tear gas or water cannons were not employed. “Teachers are pillars of society. We expected cooperation. Unfortunately, we had to respond to ensure the safety of others. We can show video evidence of the police being assaulted,” Shamim said.
Both senior officers underlined that peaceful protest is a democratic right and welcomed by the police, but vandalism and the obstruction of government operations “cross a line”.
“The protestors must answer for their actions. Law and rights apply to everyone. Our objective is to maintain peace,” Sarkar said.
Despite the incident, the protesting teachers have continued their demonstration outside Bikash Bhawan, vowing to carry on until their demands are addressed.