Unemployed Teachers Continue Protest in Kolkata Amid Rising Tensions and Clashes with Police

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, May 16, 2025, Kolkata: The protest by jobless teachers and education workers continued in Kolkata today, as they gathered in front of Vikas Bhavan despite yesterday's tensions. On Thursday, protesters had clashed with police forces after breaking through the gates of the government building. In response, a large barricade was erected outside Vikas Bhavan. However, early this morning, the protesters forcibly removed the barricade, demonstrating their defiance in front of the police.

As the situation escalated, the protesters, who had gathered in large numbers, sat in defiance outside the building, shouting slogans demanding the reinstatement of their jobs. Their chants grew louder as they confronted the law enforcement officers stationed nearby. A heavy police presence has been maintained to control the situation, but the tension remained palpable.

The protests, which started peacefully, turned chaotic as the night wore on. Eyewitnesses reported clashes between the demonstrators and the police, with allegations of police using lathi charges on the protesters. In retaliation, some protesters reportedly threw bricks at the police, heightening the already volatile situation. Amidst the unrest, government employees at Vikas Bhavan were seen attempting to scale the walls in a bid to flee the scene, further angering the protesters. The police quickly intervened to stop them, which resulted in a brief but intense confrontation.

In the aftermath of the incidents, the police filed a suo motu case against the protesters, marking a new phase in the ongoing conflict. This morning, as tensions resurfaced, the protesters once again gathered in front of Vikas Bhavan, vowing to continue their sit-in protest until their demands for employment were met.

The protests are expected to persist throughout the day, with no clear resolution in sight. Local authorities have urged both sides to exercise restraint, but the situation remains tense as negotiations between the protesters and the government have yet to make any significant progress.