Election Commission Suspends Three CAPF Personnel Over Viral Carrom Video at TMC Office
The Election Commission of India has taken swift disciplinary action by suspending three personnel from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) following the circulation of a viral video. The footage purportedly shows the officers engaged in a game of carrom inside a Trinamool Congress party office located in Suri, within the Birbhum district of West Bengal.
Immediate Removal and Inquiry Initiated
A senior official from the poll body confirmed on Sunday that the three personnel have been immediately removed from their election duty responsibilities. An official inquiry has been launched to investigate the incident thoroughly, with particular focus on verifying the authenticity of the video recording. The official stated, "As of now, these three personnel have been removed from poll duty. We have initiated an inquiry into the incident. The authenticity of the video recording is being checked thoroughly."
It is important to note that news agency PTI reported it could not independently verify the video's authenticity at this time.
Second Disciplinary Action in Four Days
This suspension marks the second such disciplinary measure taken by the Election Commission against central forces deployed in West Bengal within a span of just four days. The actions are part of the EC's strict enforcement of its guidelines during the ongoing state election period.
On March 25, the commission transferred seven paramilitary personnel out of West Bengal. They were stationed in Murshidabad district and faced action for allegedly attending an iftar party, which was deemed a violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
Political Reactions and Concerns
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from political figures across the spectrum. BJP candidate Jagannath Chatterjee strongly condemned the Suri event, labeling it as "extremely reprehensible and disappointing." He raised concerns about the deployment protocols, questioning, "It is unclear how and where the central forces are being deployed. If the local administration or police had a role in this carrom game, strict action should be taken against them as well."
Congress Birbhum district president Sanjay Adhikari echoed similar sentiments, stating, "Playing carrom is not a crime, but doing so inside a political party's office is inappropriate." This highlights the broader issue of perceived impropriety in the conduct of security forces during sensitive election duties.
In contrast, Birbhum Trinamool leader Malay Mukherjee offered a different perspective, suggesting, "Those who were working here understand that casually interacting with TMC is not a crime. That is probably why they were talking and playing carrom." This statement underscores the complex dynamics and interpretations of interactions between security personnel and local political entities.
Strict EC Directives and Monitoring Mechanisms
The Election Commission has previously issued clear and stringent directives to all deployed CAPF personnel. These guidelines explicitly prohibit accepting any form of hospitality or participating in social and private gatherings while on poll duty. To ensure compliance and oversight, the EC has implemented robust monitoring mechanisms.
- GPS Tracking: To monitor the real-time movement and locations of the forces.
- Body Cameras: To record activities and interactions during duty hours.
These measures are designed to uphold the integrity and impartiality of the election process, ensuring that security forces remain neutral and focused on their primary responsibilities.
The suspension of the three CAPF personnel underscores the Election Commission's commitment to enforcing strict discipline and adherence to protocols during the critical election period in West Bengal. The ongoing inquiry will determine the full details and any further actions required.
