Park Circus unrest: CM warns of strict action against attacks on police

PTI, May 18, 2026, Kolkata: Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday declared "zero tolerance" towards vandalism and attacks on police personnel, warning of the strictest legal action and asserting that if such incidents recur, "no one will be worse than me as the Home Minister".

The warning came a day after protests against a bulldozer drive linked to action against "illegal structures" turned violent in Kolkata's Park Circus-Tiljala area, with demonstrators allegedly pelting stones at police personnel and vandalising vehicles, prompting Adhikari, who also holds the Home portfolio, to signal what he described as the end of the era of "tied hands and feet" policing.

Addressing reporters after visiting the Park Circus Deputy Commissioner's office and meeting police officers and injured personnel following Sunday's violence in the minority-dominated Park Circus area, he projected a tough law-and-order stance, while drawing a sharp contrast with the "functioning" of earlier administrations.

The violence left six police personnel and two CRPF jawans injured, Adhikari said, adding that 40 people had so far been arrested and that the probe was being directly monitored by the Commissioner of Police.

"I am giving a clear message that there will be zero tolerance towards this kind of unrest, hooliganism and anti-national, anti-social activities. We will not allow such things to continue," he asserted.

The Chief Minister, who met the injured personnel and read out their names before the media, praised the conduct of police and central forces and said they had acted with restraint despite provocation from the mob.

"I came to see the injured police personnel and CRPF jawans, and understand the extent of their injuries. Yesterday, our entire force maintained law and order, prevented a major tragedy and protected people. I came here to tell them that the government stands firmly with them," he said.

Attempting to reassure the force of political backing, Adhikari, who is also the state's Home Minister, repeatedly stressed that police personnel should function fearlessly under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

"I have told them that their Home Minister and Chief Minister are with them. The entire department, under the leadership of the Police Commissioner, stands with them. You all have done a good job," he said.