Kolkata, June 8: Tension erupted in Jadavpur on Monday after police allegedly resorted to a brutal lathi-charge on hawkers and protesters demonstrating against an ongoing hawker eviction drive. The protest, which drew support from leaders and activists of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), witnessed violent clashes as security forces moved to disperse the gathering.
Among those reportedly assaulted were senior CPI(M) leader and Central Committee member Sujan Chakraborty and All India student-youth leader Srijan Bhattacharya, along with several party activists. Protesters alleged that police personnel used excessive force, resulting in multiple injuries.
According to CPI(M) leaders, several comrades sustained serious head injuries after being struck by police batons. Eyewitnesses claimed that protesters were chased and beaten during the operation, while several leaders and activists were detained by the police.
The CPI(M) strongly condemned the incident, accusing both the State Police and Central Forces of carrying out a coordinated crackdown on democratic protests. Party leaders described the action as an attack on the rights of hawkers and citizens protesting against eviction measures.
The protest was organized in opposition to the eviction drive targeting hawkers in the Jadavpur area. Demonstrators demanded an immediate halt to the evictions and called for rehabilitation and protection of the livelihoods of affected vendors.
The incident has triggered sharp political reactions, with opposition parties and civil rights activists questioning the use of force against protesters and demanding accountability from the authorities.
Police officials have yet to issue a detailed statement regarding the allegations of excessive force and the reported injuries sustained during the protest.
