6-Member SIT to Probe Kolkata Film Institute Violence; First Report Due Tomorrow

The West Bengal government has formed a six-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the violence that broke out at Kolkata’s Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) on September 27.

According to a notification issued by the state Home Department, the SIT will examine the three cases registered in connection with the incident and submit its preliminary report by October 1.

The clashes took place on Sunday afternoon during an event organised on the SRFTI campus by the Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat (ABGP), an RSS-linked organisation. Several people were injured during the confrontation involving SRFTI students, ABGP activists and alleged outsiders.

Students alleged that a group from outside the campus attempted to enter the institute and that stones and bottles were thrown inside the campus. They also alleged that some students were assaulted and subjected to remarks including being called “anti-nationals” and “terrorists”.

The ABGP, however, presented a different account of the incident. The organisation alleged that banners carrying images of Bharat Mata, Maa Durga and Swami Vivekananda were vandalised. Its members, including women activists, also alleged that they were assaulted and verbally abused.

Following the violence, Kolkata Police registered three FIRs.

One of the cases was registered suo motu by the police against students. The other two cases were registered on the basis of complaints filed by SRFTI and the ABGP.

In his complaint, SRFTI Dean (Film) Sukanta Majumder alleged that unknown individuals wrongfully restrained students and two faculty members. The complaint also alleged incidents of voluntarily causing hurt, insulting the modesty of women students and issuing threats.

A separate complaint concerning the police alleged that a group of unknown students wrongfully restrained police personnel and manhandled them while they were carrying out their duties. The complaint also alleged that a window pane of a government vehicle was damaged.

The formation of the SIT means that the three cases will now be examined as part of a coordinated investigation. The team is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the clashes, the allegations made by the different groups and the events that led to the violence.

The preliminary report is scheduled to be submitted on October 1. The investigation will determine the sequence of events and examine the allegations contained in the FIRs and complaints.

The incident has also drawn attention from filmmakers, artistes and political groups, with different sides expressing support for the students and raising questions over what happened on the SRFTI campus.