Members of the Students Federation of India (SFI), the CPI(M)’s student wing, clashed with police during a protest in Kolkata, demanding accountability for corruption, irregularities in teacher recruitment, and alleged interference by the ruling Trinamool Congress in educational institutions.

The protest took place near Bikash Bhavan, the state’s education headquarters in Salt Lake, where hundreds of SFI activists sat on the road. The situation escalated when protestors attempted to breach the barricades set up by police, leading to a scuffle.

Around 50 protestors were detained and taken away in prison vans, prompting hundreds of others to block the vehicles and vow to continue their sit-in until their demands were presented to Education Minister Bratya Basu.

SFI state member Shubhajit Sarkar stated that their aim was to peacefully present their concerns to Basu and other officials but claimed they were assaulted by police. “Many of our women members were beaten up,” he alleged.

A police spokesperson said the protestors violated prohibitory orders, obstructed traffic, and attempted to attack officers, prompting authorities to use minimal force to control the situation.

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