The ongoing protest by jobless teachers at the gates of Vikas Bhavan took a violent turn on Thursday night as police resorted to lathicharge to disperse the demonstrators. What began as a peaceful sit-in since morning ended in chaos and injury after police forcefully removed protesters from the area.
According to sources, a large police force was deployed in the area unexpectedly around 8 PM. Protesters were ordered to vacate the premises, and when they refused, force was used to push them out. Many demonstrators, including women, lay down on the road in protest but were reportedly dragged away by the police. The sudden aggression sparked widespread outrage and confusion.
Since morning, many employees inside Vikas Bhavan had been stuck due to the protest. The police eventually evacuated them, but several of them reportedly expressed frustration at the handling of the situation and the delay in restoring order. From around 12 noon, groups of jobless teachers began gathering outside the Education Department building, demanding immediate reinstatement to their jobs without any fresh examinations.
Protest leader Mehbub Mondal stated, “We will not sit for any new exams. The government must reinstate us. Our protest will continue until Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee personally comes and assures us.” Although they blocked exits to prevent employees from leaving, they clarified that they would not stop food or essential services.
As the day progressed, the protest grew more intense. A section of the demonstrators allegedly broke the main gate of Vikas Bhavan and stormed inside, trapping over 100 government employees. Tensions heightened when Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation Chairman, Sabyasachi Dutta, visited the scene and faced angry slogans. Some protesters reportedly lay down in front of his car, forcing police to intervene and escort him out.
While things calmed down briefly, the real disruption began post 8 PM, when the lathicharge occurred.
After the gate was broken during the protest, it was temporarily secured using a green rope. Questions have now emerged regarding whether the police were adequately prepared for such an escalation, especially as no personnel were stationed inside the building when the breach occurred.
Even members of the ruling party have reportedly begun asking whether the authorities had any prior intel or preparations regarding the protest.
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