Raiganj University violence escalated on Tuesday evening when a confrontation between SFI and ABVP supporters at Raiganj police station left two CPM leaders and a lawyer injured, a day after clashes on the university campus injured students and prompted increased security in Raiganj, North Dinajpur.
Police have received five complaints related to the incidents — two each from the ABVP and SFI, and one from 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 the university campus on Tuesday afternoon after SFI supporters put up posters demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The incident left eight people injured, according to the report. University vice-chancellor Arnab Sen said four students were injured and alleged that outsiders had forcibly entered the campus, attacked students and vandalised property.
Around 7.30pm, CPM leaders and SFI workers reached Raiganj police station to lodge a complaint. An argument broke out with ABVP supporters who were also present at the station, and the confrontation turned into a clash. Two CPM leaders and lawyer Sagnik Chakraborty were injured. Chakraborty suffered a head injury.
CPM leaders alleged that the attack took place inside the police station in front of police personnel who did not intervene. Tirtha Das, secretary of the CPM’s Raiganj local committee, said the group was confined inside the station for some time after a large number of ABVP supporters gathered outside. He alleged that the CPM and SFI workers were attacked again when they attempted to leave around 9pm, and that he and North Dinajpur district CPM secretary Uttam Pal were assaulted after being knocked to the ground.
The allegations have not been established by the police investigation. Around 9.30pm, inspector-in-charge Sandeep Chakraborty led a police team that escorted the SFI and CPM workers who remained inside the station to their offices.
The ABVP rejected the CPM’s account of the campus clash. State secretary Deep Dutta said the organisation had joined a protest march to oppose an attack allegedly carried out by Left supporters with the help of outsiders. He said the ABVP had lodged a complaint with the police and expressed confidence in the administration, while warning that it would respond if SFI attempted to repeat such incidents.
Security was strengthened at Raiganj University on Wednesday, with police pickets deployed at all three gates. Students were allowed to enter only after showing identity cards, while senior police officers visited the campus to review the arrangements. No fresh trouble was reported during the day.
Students, alumni, teachers and non-teaching staff held a protest march from the university gate to Ghari More, wearing black badges and demanding action against those responsible for Tuesday’s violence. The North Dinajpur District Bar Association also organised a rally over the alleged assault on Chakraborty. Its president, Sayan Chowdhury, said the lawyer had been attacked while carrying out his professional duty and demanded the arrest of those responsible.
The university has requested police pickets at its gates for at least one week. The police investigation into both the campus clash and the violence at the police station is continuing.
