Bengal Govt Directs Curbs on Loudspeakers, Roadblocks and Illegal Trade; Issues Law and Order Instructions

Agencies, May 12, 2026, Kolkata : In its first major engagement with senior police officials after assuming office, the newly formed BJP government in West Bengal, led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, has issued a comprehensive set of directives aimed at strengthening law and order, tightening enforcement, and regulating public conduct across the state.

The high-level meeting at Nabanna was attended by top police officials including DGP S.N. Gupta, ADG (Law and Order) Ajay Ranade, and Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nand, where the Chief Minister outlined what officials described as a “decisive and uniform law enforcement roadmap.”

One of the key directives instructed police to ensure that loudspeaker sound from religious places does not extend beyond designated premises and that prayer gatherings do not block public roads or disrupt traffic, except during officially permitted special occasions. The government emphasised that the objective is to maintain civic discipline while ensuring respect for all religious practices under the law.

Officials said the Chief Minister clearly instructed that the law must be applied uniformly across all communities without exception or selective enforcement.

At the onset of the meeting, Adhikari reportedly laid out a broader law-and-order strategy, directing strict action against illegal arms networks, post-election violence cases, hooliganism, extortion, and communal provocation. Police were instructed to ensure arrests are made through proper FIR-based procedures, with special emphasis on reopening and reviewing pending cases where required.

A strong focus was placed on women’s safety, with directives to revisit serious criminal cases including rape, attempted rape, and molestation, particularly those linked to post-election violence incidents from previous cycles. Officials confirmed that more than 1,300 post-poll cases are currently under review, including complaints previously recorded as general diary entries.

The government also ordered a firm crackdown on illegal mining activities, including coal, sand, and stone extraction networks, with a clear “zero tolerance” policy towards organised illegal trade operations.

Religious and civil society representatives have expressed conditional support for the new directives. Nasser Ebrahim, trustee of Nakhoda Mosque, stated that law-abiding citizens would welcome regulations ensuring that religious gatherings do not obstruct public spaces, emphasising equal application of law across all communities.

Similarly, Jayanta Kushary, principal of Sarba Bhartiya Prachya Academy, noted that civic discipline must take precedence in public life, adding that no religious scripture mandates the use of loudspeakers and that faith must coexist with public responsibility and civic order.

Road safety was another major area of focus, with directives for strict enforcement of helmet laws and traffic discipline. The Chief Minister also instructed police to minimise inconvenience during official movement and avoid unnecessary use of sirens and hooters.

Additionally, the government ordered withdrawal of security cover from individuals with criminal backgrounds, in line with earlier Election Commission guidelines.

Officials described the meeting as the beginning of a structured governance approach focused on uniform law enforcement, stricter compliance, and a strengthened public order framework across West Bengal.