Kolkata NEET protest violence: Two more held, police reconstruct crime scene

Mangalore Today News Network

Kolkata, Jul 27, 2026: Kolkata Police on Monday arrested two more people in connection with the violence that erupted during a protest march over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, taking the total number of arrests in the case to 16.

The two accused were apprehended from the Garden Reach and Park Circus areas of the city, a senior police officer said.

As part of the ongoing investigation, police also took five of the arrested accused to Dorina Crossing in Esplanade to reconstruct the sequence of events that led to the violence. The accused were escorted barefoot to the spot as investigators recreated the incident.

According to police, the reconstruction exercise was conducted to verify the chain of events and determine the specific role played by each accused.

"The reconstruction was carried out to verify the sequence of events and ascertain the individual role of each accused. The investigation is progressing on the basis of evidence, including video footage, digital material and witness statements. More arrests will be made if further involvement is established," a senior officer said.

The newly arrested accused were identified as Wakar Azam (35), a resident of the Karaya area in Park Circus, and Javed Akhtar (32), from the Nadial police station limits near Garden Reach. Investigators alleged that both actively participated in the violence and vandalism during Friday’s protest.

Among those brought to the scene for reconstruction was Mohammad Afroz, whose name was earlier mentioned by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari in the Assembly while referring to individuals allegedly involved in the violence. Four other accused also participated in the exercise.

Police said preliminary findings suggest the violence during the demonstration was premeditated.

The state government has claimed that at least 70 people identified in connection with the violence were neither students nor members of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), and had no direct involvement in the movement against the alleged NEET paper leak.

Officials said the investigation is being conducted impartially, with authorities examining video footage, digital evidence and witness statements to identify everyone involved in vandalism, assault and damage to public property.

The West Bengal government has invoked the recently enacted West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Act, 2026 in connection with the case. Following the violence, the Chief Minister warned that strict action would be taken against those responsible under the new law.

The protest march was organised by the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and other Left-backed student organisations to protest the NEET paper leak and demand the resignation of the Union Education Minister. The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) had also organised a separate gathering in Kolkata.

During the protests, several journalists were allegedly assaulted, with shoes and bottles hurled at them. Police also alleged that attempts were made to attack security personnel deployed at the venue.

So far, seven FIRs have been registered at Hare Street and Entally police stations in connection with the violence, and the investigation is continuing.