Howrah, July 28 -- 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...