On the morning of June 18, 2026, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), assisted by personnel from the Kolkata Police, West Bengal Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), conducted searches at the residences and workplaces of several activists associated with social and political movements in West Bengal. Among those searched were Tathagata Roychowdhury, General Secretary of the Revolutionary Students' Front (RSF); Sukumar Kayal, a government school teacher and activist linked to the Sangrami Krishak Mancha; and Jhelum Roy, a research scholar and activist associated with Feminists in Resistance (FIR).
The raids have generated concern among civil rights groups and activist organizations, which argue that such actions are part of a broader pattern of investigations and surveillance targeting political activists under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The NIA has not publicly detailed the specific grounds for the June 18 operations, but the searches appear to be linked to ongoing investigations concerning alleged Maoist activities.
According to reports from those affected, books, magazines, and documents were seized during the searches. Tathagata Roychowdhury has also been directed to appear before the NIA office in Ranchi on June 24. Supporters of the activists have questioned the necessity of requiring his appearance in Ranchi when an NIA office exists in Kolkata.
One aspect of the operation that has attracted attention is the reported seizure of legal documents and charge sheets related to FIR No. RC-01/2022/NIA/Ranchi. This case, commonly referred to as the "Eastern Regional Bureau conspiracy case," has been used by investigating agencies to pursue allegations of links between certain activists and the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist). Over the past four years, several individuals have been arrested in connection with the case, while others have reportedly faced repeated questioning, searches, and surveillance.
Civil liberties advocates argue that these investigations reflect a wider national trend. Similar raids have taken place in recent years in states including Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal. Critics contend that activists, students, labour organizers, lawyers, journalists, and human rights defenders have increasingly come under scrutiny in cases involving allegations of extremist links.
Another NIA investigation, FIR No. RC-01/2023/NIA/Lucknow, has similarly involved the arrest and investigation of individuals associated with student, legal, labour, and cultural organizations. Rights groups have argued that such cases raise important questions about the balance between national security concerns and the protection of democratic freedoms.
The organizations associated with the activists searched on June 18 maintain that their activities are focused on social, political, and democratic mobilization. They deny allegations of involvement in unlawful or extremist activities and describe the investigations as an attempt to discourage dissent and opposition to government policies.
Supporters of the affected activists also place the raids within a broader political context. They argue that issues such as unemployment, educational reforms, labour rights, environmental policies, citizenship-related measures, and land acquisition have generated significant public debate and protest across the country. According to these groups, state agencies are increasingly being used to monitor and investigate individuals involved in such movements.
The government, however, has consistently maintained that actions taken by agencies such as the NIA are aimed at addressing threats to national security and combating extremist organizations. Authorities have argued that investigations are conducted within the framework of the law and under judicial oversight.
The Revolutionary Students' Front and other allied organizations have condemned the raids and called for wider solidarity among democratic, progressive, and civil rights groups. They have pledged to continue their political and social activities while challenging the investigations through legal and public campaigns.
The June 18 operations have once again brought into focus the ongoing debate over the scope of anti-terror laws, the powers of investigative agencies, and the limits of political dissent in India. As the investigations proceed, these questions are likely to remain at the centre of discussions on civil liberties and democratic rights.
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*Freelance journalist
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