Kolkata journalists stage massive protest:Police reconstruct crime scene, arrests rise to 16, investigation into attacks on journalists continues

Journalists from across Kolkata and several districts of West Bengal on Monday held a massive protest rally condemning the attacks on media personnel during Friday’s violence at Dorina Crossing, even as Kolkata Police recreated the sequence of events at the site and arrested two more accused, taking the total number of arrests to 16. Journalists unite against attacks in Kolkata Organised by the Kolkata Journalists’ Fraternity, the rally began at the Kolkata Press Club and concluded at Dorina Crossing, where several journalists were allegedly assaulted while covering the student protest. Journalists from different media organisations marched together, demanding safety for media professionals and strict action against those responsible. A delegation later visited Raj Bhavan and submitted a memorandum to the Governor seeking justice for the injured journalists and stronger protection for the press. Police recreate crime scene with accused Meanwhile, investigators brought five arrested accused, including Khaled Reja and Afroz, to Dorina Crossing to reconstruct Friday’s violence. The accused were questioned at the scene and asked to recount the sequence of events, while senior police officers documented their statements as part of the ongoing investigation. Two more arrests raise tally sixteen Police also arrested Wakar Azam (35) from Karaya and Javed Akhtar (32) from Nadia, taking the total number of arrests in the case to 16. According to police, neither of them is a student or has any known connection with the education sector. Investigators allege they had joined the Left-backed protest over the NEET controversy and were involved in the violence that erupted after the rally. Probe continues into alleged planned violence The violence broke out after a protest march from Sealdah to Dorina Crossing, during which journalists and police personnel were allegedly attacked with stones, shoes and water bottles. Police claim many of those identified are “outsiders” with prior criminal records rather than students. Investigators are continuing to probe whether the accused infiltrated the rally to trigger violence or if there was a larger conspiracy behind the unrest.