Kolkata: Protesters clash with police during demonstration against curbs on namaz, demolition drive

Protesters clashed with the police in West Bengal’s Kolkata on Sunday during demonstrations against the state government restricting the offering of namaz on streets and demolishing allegedly illegal structures in the Tiljala area, according to media reports.

The demonstration was held at Park Circus’s seven-point junction, reported The Indian Express.

Kolkata Police’s Additional Commissioner Ashesh Biswas described this as an “illegal gathering”, according to PTI. He said some of the protesters threw stones at the police as they attempted to disperse the crowd.

“Three of our colleagues were injured,” added Biswas. “We have already arrested a few people.”

He did not specify how many persons had been arrested.

VIDEO | Kolkata, West Bengal: Violence erupted during an anti-encroachment protest at Park Circus after a section of protesters allegedly began stone-pelting at police personnel opposing a bulldozer drive against alleged illegal encroachments. Several police personnel were… pic.twitter.com/PLVwAOTXeI— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 17, 2026

On Monday, the Bharatiya Janata Party government in the state directed the police to ensure roads are not blocked due to prayer congregations, except on special occasions, reported The Times of India.

Following the order, tensions had erupted in Kolkata’s Rajabazar area on Friday when a group tried to offer namaz on the road, according to The Indian Express. A large number of police and Central Reserve Police Force personnel were deployed...

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