National Investigation Agency (NIA) carried out a major operation in Kolkata and parts of Nadia district on Thursday as part of an ongoing probe into alleged Maoist activities, including sabotage and incitement of violence in Jharkhand. Following the raids, three individuals—a Jadavpur University alumnus, a researcher, and a farmer leader—have been summoned to appear before the NIA’s Ranchi office for questioning.
According to sources, the searches are linked to a Maoist-related case registered in 2022. At around 4.30 am, an NIA team arrived at the residence of Tathagata Roy Chowdhury, a former student of Jadavpur University and secretary of the left-wing student organisation ‘Biplabi Chhatra Front’. He has reportedly been served a notice under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and directed to appear before investigators in Ranchi on June 24.
A second raid was conducted at the residence of researcher Jhilam Roy in Kolkata. Known for her involvement in various civil rights movements, including protests related to voter list revisions and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), Roy’s home was searched in the early hours of the day. Officials reportedly seized several national and state-level publications during the operation. She has also been summoned to the NIA’s Ranchi office for questioning in connection with the 2022 case.
In Nadia district, Sukumar Koyal—a school teacher and prominent farmer leader from the Dhubulia police station area—was questioned extensively. NIA officials visited his school and recorded his statement over a prolonged period. Koyal has been associated with movements advocating for farmers and marginalized communities.
Meanwhile, the human rights organisation APDR has strongly condemned the early-morning raids. In a statement, the group alleged that central investigative agencies are being used to target and harass social activists and individuals expressing dissenting political views through democratic means.
The NIA has not yet issued an official statement detailing the findings of the raids. Investigations into the case remain ongoing.
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