• Source:JND
HighLights
  1. West Bengal government protects NEET protest students from coercive action.
  2. Decision cites Supreme Court order regarding student protest rights.
  3. Protection excludes individuals with prior criminal backgrounds.

West Bengal government on Tuesday announced that no coercive action will be taken against the students participating in the protests over the NEET paper leak, citing the Supreme Court order. The government has said, "No coercive measures shall be taken against the students participating in the protests relating to the alleged irregularities in the NEET (UG) Examination."

However, the Suvendu Adhikari-led government added that those with a criminal background would not come under the ambit of such a relief. In a statement issued by the Home and Hill Affairs Department, the government said the decision was taken after examining all aspects of the case and in view of the Supreme Court's order passed on July 28.

"After due consideration, the government has decided that no coercive measures shall be taken against the students participating in the protests relating to the alleged irregularities in the NEET (UG) Examination," the statement said.

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"The above protection shall not extend to persons having criminal antecedents, as mandated in the order of the Hon'ble Court mentioned above," it further added.

On Friday, the leftist student organisations held a rally against the NEET-UG paper leak in Kolkata. During the march from Sealdah station to Esplanade in central Kolkata, several journalists were injured when some people attacked them.

So far, only one case was registered in West Bengal till 6 pm on July 26, as per the latest order. The case was registered on a police complaint in connection with the protests over the alleged NEET-UG irregularities. Based on the FIR, sixteen people have been arrested in connection with the case.

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Moreover, a city court in Kolkata on Tuesday granted bail to 16 people, hours after remanding them to two days of judicial custody. While 14 were arrested earlier, two were apprehended on Monday in connection with violence during the protest.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court remanded the arrested persons to judicial custody till July 30.

(With PTI Inputs)


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