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The West Bengal government on Tuesday announced that it would not take any coercive action against students who participated in a recent protest over the NEET (UG) paper leak issue. However, the government also clarified that the protection would not apply to people with criminal antecedents.
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 in the matter of Shailendra Mani Tripathi v. Union of India & Ors. "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, adding that the protection would not extend to "persons having criminal antecedents, as mandated in the order of the Hon'ble Court." West Bengal government also said that one case has been registered on the complaint of the Police in connection with the protests relating to the alleged irregularities in the NEET (UG) examination and16 persons have been arrested in connection with the case as of 6 pm on July 26. Earlier, the Assam and Bihar governments also announced that they will withdraw cases and other legal proceedings initiated against people who participated in protests over the alleged NEET-UG examination irregularities. The agitation was called off on July 25 after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as the Union Education Minister. The government had then agreed with CJP and activist Sonam Wangchuk to drop cases, prevent police intimidation and introduce anti-paper leak legislation. (ANI)
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