Clashes Between Protesters and Police in Park Circus at Kolkata

Kolkata : A violent clash erupted on Sunday afternoon between demonstrators and police personnel in Park Circus, a minority-populated area of the city, resulting in injuries to at least three police officers. The confrontation occurred amid protests against a recent bulldozer operation in the Tiljala neighborhood, where alleged illegal constructions were demolished following a tragic factory fire that claimed two lives earlier this week.

The state government, newly led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after ending the Trinamool Congress’s 15-year tenure in the recent assembly elections, had ordered the anti-encroachment drive as part of its efforts to regulate unauthorized structures.

According to police sources, a large crowd gathered near Park Circus Seven Point Crossing to oppose the demolition action and attempted to block traffic. When security forces moved to disperse the unlawful assembly, some protesters reportedly resorted to stone-pelting, which escalated tensions and led to widespread chaos in the area.

In response to the violence, Kolkata Police along with central security forces increased their presence significantly. Additional patrolling and route marches were conducted in adjacent neighborhoods to prevent further disturbances and to restore peace. Multiple vehicles, including those belonging to the central forces, were damaged during the unrest.