Fri Apr 11 17:24:35 UTC 2025: ## Kolkata Police Defend Use of Force Against Protesting Teachers

**KOLKATA, April 12, 2025** – The Kolkata Police defended its actions against protesting teachers on Friday, following the release of videos showing officers using batons and force to disperse a demonstration on April 9th. The protest, which took place at the Kasba office of the District Inspector of Schools, was in response to the Supreme Court’s cancellation of nearly 26,000 teaching and non-teaching job appointments due to recruitment irregularities.

Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma and other senior officials maintained that “mild force” was necessary to control the allegedly unruly crowd and prevent property damage. They cited injuries sustained by 13 police personnel, including one hospitalization, as justification for their actions. Commissioner Verma stated that while the actions of one officer were regrettable, the police were “demonized” while the alleged attacks on officers by protestors were ignored.

Joint Commissioner (Crime) Rupesh Kumar presented photographic and video evidence suggesting that protestors breached barricades, attacked officers, and attempted to damage property. He claimed some violent protestors were not teachers and alleged that some protestors inside the office discussed using petrol to start a fire.

However, Mehboob Mondal, a representative of the protesting teachers, disputed the police’s account. He denied the presence of outsiders and argued that audio excerpts used by police were taken out of context. He claimed that a teacher heard saying “set fire with petrol” was under extreme duress due to job loss and personal hardship, and did not intend to incite violence against police or property.

The incident also saw the initial investigating officer, Sub-inspector Ritan Das (who was seen kicking and pushing protestors in videos), replaced by Sub-inspector Sanjay Singh following public outcry. The police have filed an FIR against the protesting teachers under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Two protestors reportedly sustained injuries requiring hospitalization. The incident has sparked a debate over the use of force by law enforcement against protestors.

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