A court in Kolkata released CPI-M leader Srijan Bhattacharya and four others on bail following their arrests during protests against a hawker eviction drive near Jadavpur railway station. The bail was granted on personal bonds of Rs 1,000 each, with a condition that Bhattacharya must cooperate with the ongoing investigation. The case's next hearing is scheduled for early November.
The eviction operation took place late Sunday night, when authorities demolished multiple structures deemed illegal within the railway station premises using bulldozers. The drive triggered widespread opposition, as a joint protest by Left Front and Congress supporters had been active since the previous evening. Law enforcement responded with significant force, deploying police and Central forces, along with barricades at the site.
The situation escalated into clashes between protesters and police, resulting in injuries to around 15 CPI-M activists. Among the injured was party leader Sujan Chakraborty, who required a CT scan, as well as theatre activist Joyraj Bhattacharya, who suffered a head injury. During his arrest, Srijan Bhattacharya accused the Railways and police of illegal actions, asserting that the eviction drive disregarded court orders and legal procedures.
Student Federation of India (SFI) members rallied outside Jadavpur University on Monday, demanding the immediate release of those detained, including their All India Secretary. Senior CPI-M officials condemned the police response and demolition efforts, calling the bulldozer operation reckless and accusing the ruling BJP government of heavy-handed tactics.
Tension in the area around the 212 bus stand had been building since Sunday evening amid rumors of the imminent eviction. The presence of multiple bulldozers and heavy police deployment contributed to a climate of unease among local hawkers and residents. The railway authorities have issued a 15-day notice to the remaining shop owners adjacent to the station following the demolition strike.