No religious sloganeering, stone throwing will be allowed, Suvendu warns protesters

A day after violence broke out in the Park Circus area here, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday (May 18, 2026) said no stone-pelting or religious sloganeering would be allowed.

Mr Adhikari, who met the police personnel injured in Sunday’s (May 17, 2026) violence at the Deputy Commissioner of Police’s office in Park Circus, issued a stern warning to the protesters.

“I am giving a clear message that there will be zero tolerance for this kind of riots, hooliganism and anti-national, anti-social activities. We will not allow such things to continue,” the newly elected chief minister said. The CM met Kolkata police officers from the South Eastern Division to assess the law and order situation in the area.

“We will give you full support to stop this. Any democratic movement is always welcome but hooliganism is not allowed here…Stay strong and we will give you full cooperation. Raising hand against the police will not be allowed by the present government,” Mr Adhikari said.

Six police officers were injured and 40 protesters were arrested in Sunday’s violence. Protests that erupted against restrictions on prayers and the use of bulldozers against illegal encroachments turned violent. They threw stones at the police.

Mr. Adhikari lauded the police action and said it properly maintained law and order, prevented a major tragedy and protected the people. The police was efficient and capable but its hands were tied by the previous regime, the CM said.

“Don’t think the old rules still apply. If anyone thinks the police will continue to operate with their hands tied, they are wrong,” he said.

Referring to allegations of stone pelting during the protests, the chief minister drew a comparison with Kashmir and said such incidents would no longer be tolerated in the state.

“I appeal – don’t repeat these things. Take this as a final warning. If such incidents are repeated, no one will be worse than me as Home Minister,” Mr Adhikari said.

Promising to modernize the police force within six months, the CM urged the Center to retain 40 companies of the central paramilitary force in West Bengal for some time.

The first Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state was sworn in on May 9 after winning 207 of the 294 seats in the West Bengal Assembly. There are reports of eviction of illegal structures and hawkers at Howrah and Sealdah stations and Tiljala area.

Earlier on Monday, after announcing the meeting in the morning, the chief minister held his first ‘janata darbar’ (people’s court) and heard public grievances and demands at the BJP state headquarters in Salt Lake.

Several people, including students and local residents, attended the interaction and spoke to the chief minister individually behind closed doors, airing grievances ranging from local civic issues to allegations of syndicate-related coercion.

Just a day ago, former chief minister and Trinamool Congress president Mamata Banerjee said that Bengal does not believe in “bulldozer politics”.

“The country of Tagore and Netaji cannot be ruled by fear, force and demolition moves against ordinary citizens. What we are witnessing today is an assault on the dignity of the people of Bengal – daily wage labourers, street vendors, small traders and struggling families who have built their lives brick by brick,” Ms Banerjee posted on social media.

Referring to the eviction drive around Howrah, Tiljala and Park Circus stations in her post, the Trinamool Congress president said there was growing desperation among those suddenly deprived of shelter and livelihood, revealing a “government obsessed with optics more than humanity”.

Violence in Asansol

At least 26 people were arrested by the police on Sunday in connection with Friday’s violence in Asansol. “A total of 26 accused persons were arrested and produced before the Ld court today. Out of them, seven accused were remanded to police custody while 19 were sent to judicial custody,” Asansol-Durgapur police said on Sunday. In connection with the vandalism, the damage will be calculated and compensation will be collected, the police said.

Published – 18 May 2026 15:15 IST