West Bengal Enforces Tough Law to Recover Costs of Public Property Damage.

The West Bengal government is ready to take strict action against those who destroy government or public property during protests and riots. It has brought into force the ‘West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order (Amendment) Act, 2026’. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has warned that strict action will be taken against those who destroy government or public property from now on. The Chief Minister clarified that this part of the ‘Anti-Gonda Act’ is being implemented to maintain law and order in the society and protect government property. According to the ‘West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order (Amendment) Act, 2026’.. If government property is destroyed during protests, three times the compensation for the damage caused will be collected along with interest. If the accused do not pay the compensation.. the government has the power to seize (attach) and auction their properties. A special ‘Statutory Claims Commission’ will be set up to assess the damage and recover money from rioters, protesters and their instigators. Attacks on police personnel on duty will attract strict legal action. The new rules were officially announced by West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari at a media conference in Nabanna.