Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday condemned attacks on security personnel and journalists amid the Cockroach Janata Party’s protest demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The CM claimed at least seven cases have been registered against the ones who disrupted peace during the agitation. Adhikari said that some people from Leftist and extremist organisations came to the protest to create a ruckus.
Application Of Anti-Goonda Law
Bengal’s updated anti-goonda framework had been formally established under the West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Act, 2026, which came into force on July 13, 2026. The Bengal CM said that the law had been imposed during the CJP protest. It provides authorities with strict preventive detention, property attachment, and externment powers to curb organised crime.
Suvendu Adhikari asserted that members of leftist organisations, such as the Student Federation of India (SFI) and All India Students Association (AISA), participated in the protest too. There were 9,000 gathered, Suvendu said. The people who lost the 2026 election from Khidirpur, Rajabazar, Belgachia, Acra, and Rajarhata were also present in the protest. “The police were restrained. They pelted bottles and shoes at Dorina’s crossing. Later, they targeted journalists,” the CM said.
According to Adhikari, six journalists had been admitted to the hospital. “I have already received written complaints from journalist friends,” Adhikari added.
‘Won’t Spare These Three’
Shuvendu warned, “I will not spare any notorious person. I will not spare Afroz, Nahid, Tanvir, Rahul, or Jamal. I will take such measures that these three men will be remembered. This is why I brought the law. I condemn the attack on journalists. The MLAs have taken up the program under the Ambedkar statue by wearing badges on their chests during lunch.”
The Kolkata police have registered cases under all several sections, including illegal gathering in the name of procession, organising crimes from illegal gatherings, spreading unrest, obstructing and assaulting government employees, blocking roads, inciting and spreading hatred with the intention of disturbing the peace, disobeying government orders, and organising crimes by multiple people with the same intention.