At least 21 people, including a woman, were arrested after violent clashes erupted among a group of protesters and police at Park Circus Seven-point crossing on Sunday over restrictions imposed on holding prayers on public roads and the use of bulldozers in eviction and demolition drives.
CM Suvendu Adhikari
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday visited the South-East Division office at Park Circus shortly after the conclusion of the state Cabinet meeting, where he met police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel injured on Sunday.
At least 21 people, including a woman, were arrested after violent clashes erupted among a group of protesters and police at Park Circus Seven-point crossing on Sunday over restrictions imposed on holding prayers on public roads and the use of bulldozers in eviction and demolition drives.
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“Take strong action,” Adhikari told Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nand after interacting with Kolkata Police and Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel who were injured after the clash broke out on Sunday, and stones were pelted at one of the busiest intersections of the state’s capital.
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He said the present state government would not tolerate any assault on members of the police or central forces while they were carrying out their duties.
“We will not allow the police to be beaten up. This present government by us will not allow it. The home ministry is with me and we will take out the ordnance soon,” Adhikari said.
He also added that while democratic forms of protesters were welcome, hooliganism will not be allowed in the name of protests.
“Democratic movements are welcome always. We will not tolerate hooliganism,” Adhikari said.
On Sunday, the seven-point crossing at Park Circus witnessed violent clashes among the security personnel and protestors.
The protestors started gathering at Park Circus, a predominantly Muslim area, at around 1:30 pm on Sunday, following posts on several social media platforms to gather there to protest the demolition drives carried out at two buildings in Tiljala, minutes away from the crossing.
Earlier this month, a factory housed in one of the buildings caught fire, claiming two lives and leaving three others seriously injured.
The state government ordered the demolition after the factory owners could not provide any paperwork or licenced for running it.
Among the demands of the protestors was that they be allowed to hold prayers by blocking roads.
Police said the gathering soon turned unruly, with stones and bricks thrown at officers attempting to clear the junction. Traffic was brought to a standstill for nearly an hour between 2 pm and 3 pm.
A bus belonging to the Central Reserve Police Force was vandalised, and several police vehicles were damaged in the stone-pelting.
The police, along with Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel, had to resort to a baton charge to disperse the crowd, while contingents of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) were also deployed to restore order.
21 others were also detained from the spot, while at least 10 police personnel suffered injuries in the clash.
The cops arrested Mohammad Farhanuddin for allegedly circulating a social media message calling for protests against the government’s demolition drive.
A senior officer said the post had been widely shared and contributed to mobilising the crowd at Park Circus. Raids are underway to trace others suspected of involvement.
“We have arrested 21 people. We are checking CCTV footage from the area and will make more arrests after we identify all those who were involved in or had instigated the protestors to turn violent,” a senior Kolkata Police officer said.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (South-East Division) Chitadeep Pandey, his security guard, and Officer-in-Charge Rajesh Singh had to be admitted to a hospital after all of them were wounded in the clash.
Hours before the unrest, eviction drives had been carried out, clearing stalls and squatters occupying pavement space and roads near Sealdah and Howrah stations.
The unrest follows a series of tense incidents elsewhere in the state. In Kolkata’s Rajabazar area on Friday (May 15, 2026), tension flared when Muslims attempted to offer namaz on a public road despite the prohibition. The situation escalated after a heavy police presence asked worshippers to vacate the thoroughfare.
According to reports, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had, during a Cabinet meeting, directed that prayers must be confined to mosques and not conducted on public roads.
Violence also broke out in Asansol on Friday night (May 15) in Jahangir Mohalla, Paschim Bardhaman district, after a police team asked mosque authorities to lower the volume of loudspeakers following complaints from residents. A mob allegedly responded by pelting stones and vandalising a police outpost.
Meanwhile, the West Bengal government has introduced fresh guidelines regulating animal slaughter in the state. The measures require a ‘fit certificate’ for animals, prohibit slaughter in public spaces, and prescribe fines and imprisonment for violations.
With multiple flashpoints emerging over the past week, security has been tightened in sensitive areas across Kolkata and adjoining districts as authorities seek to prevent further escalation.
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