Anti-encroachment drive turns violent in Kolkata

An anti-encroachment drive in Kolkata turned violent on Sunday (June 7, 2026) midnight as protesters, political leaders, locals staged protests against police and central forces carrying out bulldozer in the Jadavpur area. 

At least two CPI(M) leaders were arrested, including Srijan Bhattacharya and veteran leader Sujan Chakraborty. Multiple protesters were injured and at least two sustained head injuries, they were rushed to the nearby KPC Medical College in Jadavpur. 

State Congress leaders have also joined the protests. Many of the protesters were seen lying down in front of the bulldozers as a form of protest. 

Late on Sunday (June 7, 2026) night, multiple bulldozers razed down shanties, makeshift shops, and hawkers’ stalls on the Jadavpur Station Road area as protestors gathered around the authorities and raised slogans against the action. A huge crowd gathered around the area as protests raged past midnight, which started around 7 p.m. on Sunday (June 7, 2026). 

When the protests escalated, police also baton charged many, including students and activists. A massive number of central forces and State police were present at the location. Rapid Action Forces were also deployed. 

“These fascist forces are doing bulldozer politics here. Not just State authorities, but railway officials are also getting included. This is their hallmark of BJP-RSS politics. This is also affecting the economy and snatching the livelihood of the poorest of the poor,” CPI(M) State secretary Mohammad Salim told The Hindu on Monday (June 8, 2026). He further added that there was a stay order on the demolition drive, but the authorities still carried out the drive. 

Before the elections they came with flowers, after the elections they came with bulldozers, Mr Salim added. He also said that eviction without proper rehabilitation cannot be accepted and added that they will continue to protest against the police atrocities on Monday (June 8, 2026) and Tuesday (June 9, 2026). 

This is the second time that bulldozers have been deployed in the area. The first-time protesters gathered around the area, raised slogans, and the bulldozers had rolled back on their action until it came back on Sunday (June 7, 2026). 

Before being arrested Mr. Chakraborty said that the “double engine” BJP government has declared a war against its own economically weaker citizens.  

“Congress has pledged to stand by the hawkers in future protests wherever the government attempts to snatch away their livelihoods in this manner,” an official statement from the State Congress said. They also said that many of their leaders and workers were injured due to police action. 

Meanwhile, State Minister and senior BJP leader Dilip Ghosh said that illegal encroachments by “a few people are disrupting the lives of citizens. They have to think of alternative spaces. Government is also looking for alternative, but thousands of such encroachers can’t be provided with places.” 

Since the new government has come to power in West Bengal, massive anti-encroachment drives have been undertaken across the State. Hawker stalls on railway stations have been one of the largest hit sectors of the bulldozer drives. The actions have come under criticism from both opposition parties, netizens, and the common people of the State.