KOLKATA: Tension erupted in central Kolkata on Friday after Left student organisations clashed with police during a protest over the alleged NEET paper leak, with police using batons and firing tear gas shells to disperse the protesters after the situation turned violent.According to police, protesters blocked the Dorina Crossing at Esplanade, disrupting traffic during working hours. Some protestors also threw footwear and water bottles at police personnel.Police faced difficulty clearing the intersection as protesters continued their demonstration. Even after a mild lathi charge and the use of tear gas, the crowd had not fully dispersed when the latest reports came in.Police said a group claiming to support the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) joined the Left-led protest at Dharmatala after they were denied permission to hold a separate rally.A large deployment of the Rapid Action Force (RAF), Kolkata Police and central paramilitary personnel was made to prevent the situation from escalating further.The protesters demanded the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak.Earlier in the day, Left student organisations marched from Sealdah to Esplanade in support of the nationwide student movement against alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.Carrying placards, the protesters demanded the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, the dissolution of the National Testing Agency (NTA), and justice for students who they alleged were subjected to police excesses during protests in New Delhi.The protesters also expressed support for the demands raised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has been leading protests over the alleged NEET paper leak.
