A fresh confrontation at Raiganj police station, a day after violence between SFI and ABVP supporters at Raiganj University, has intensified concerns over campus security and police handling of politically charged clashes in North Dinajpur. Two CPM leaders and a lawyer were injured in the police-station incident, while security was strengthened at all three university gates on Wednesday.
Five complaints have been lodged with the police — two each by the ABVP and SFI, and one by Raiganj University authorities. The police have initiated a probe, but no arrests had been made when the report was published.
The first clash took place on Tuesday afternoon after SFI supporters put up posters demanding the resignation of chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The violence left eight people injured, according to the report. Raiganj University vice-chancellor Arnab Sen said four students were injured and alleged that outsiders had forcibly entered the campus, attacked students and vandalised property.
At around 7.30pm on Tuesday, CPM leaders and SFI workers went to Raiganj police station to lodge a complaint. ABVP supporters were also present, and an argument between the groups escalated into another clash. Left-leaning lawyer Sagnik Chakraborty suffered a head injury, while CPM leaders Tirtha Das and Uttam Pal were also assaulted, according to the CPM.
CPM leaders alleged that the attack occurred in front of police personnel who did not intervene. Chakraborty said he and others were attacked inside the police station while carrying out their work. Das alleged that the group was confined inside the station for some time after a large number of ABVP supporters gathered outside, and that they were attacked again when they attempted to leave around 9pm.
The police account cited in the report did not include a response to the allegations of inaction. Around 9.30pm, inspector-in-charge Sandeep Chakraborty led a police team that escorted the SFI and CPM workers who had remained inside the station to their offices.
On Wednesday morning, police pickets were deployed at all three gates of Raiganj University. Students were allowed to enter only after identity cards were checked, and senior police officers visited the campus to review security arrangements. No fresh trouble was reported on Wednesday.
The university community later held a protest march from the main gate to Ghari More. Students, alumni, teachers and non-teaching staff wore black badges and demanded action against those responsible for Tuesday’s violence. The North Dinajpur District Bar Association also organised a rally over the assault on Chakraborty, calling for the arrest of those responsible.
ABVP state secretary Deep Dutta said the organisation had joined the march to protest what he described as an attack by Left supporters with the help of outsiders. He said the ABVP had lodged a complaint and had faith in the administration, while warning that the organisation would respond if similar incidents were repeated.
The competing complaints and allegations place the university and local police administration under pressure to establish what happened during both confrontations. The university has requested police pickets at its gates for at least one week. The police probe and any action on the complaints will determine the next stage of the case.
