Election Commission Escalates Kaliachak Violence Probe to NIA, Rebukes Bengal Officials
In a significant development, the Election Commission (EC) on Thursday formally transferred the investigation into the Kaliachak violence to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). This move came as the commission issued sharp criticism against senior administration and police officials in West Bengal for their alleged failure to manage the law and order situation effectively during protests on Wednesday.
NIA Team to Arrive in Malda for Investigation
An NIA team is expected to reach Malda on Friday to initiate the probe, according to sources. The violence, which included the gherao of seven judicial officers in Kaliachak and protests in Malda's Mothabari, Sujapur, and adjoining areas, erupted over the exclusion of names from poll rolls. The EC, citing Supreme Court orders, wrote to the NIA director-general late on Thursday, requesting a thorough inquiry and submission of a preliminary report directly to the apex court.
Emergency Review Meeting Highlights Administrative Lapses
The day began with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar convening an emergency review meeting following the Supreme Court's directives. Attendees included Bengal chief secretary Dushyant Nariala, who participated virtually, along with DGP Siddh Nath Gupta, ADG (law and order) Ajay Mukund Ranade, Kolkata Police commissioner Ajay Nand, all District Magistrates (who also serve as District Election Officers), and all Superintendents of Police.
Sources revealed that Malda DM Rajanvir Singh Kapur was notably absent during the crisis, failing to rush to the troubled areas or maintain phone communication, and was reportedly unavailable at his official residence. Malda superintendent of police Anupam Singh was questioned over his absence from the protest sites, to which he responded that the additional SP had been dispatched to handle the situation. CEC Kumar expressed strong displeasure, remarking that in that case, "he should then be made the SP."
EC Issues Sharp Rebuke Over Dereliction of Duty
The EC issued a stern rebuke, stating that the "dereliction of duty" by the Malda DM and SP had tarnished the commission's image. CEC Kumar also reportedly reprimanded DGP Gupta, emphasizing that as a senior officer, he failed to control the situation and maintain law and order, with such lapses deemed unacceptable. Similarly, Kolkata Police chief Nand faced criticism, with the CEC noting that an IPS officer should be capable of managing the city without requiring further "training."
Kumar questioned why prompt action was not taken initially and how unrest persisted for two days outside the Bengal Chief Electoral Officer's office. He also sought explanations on how large gatherings were permitted to assemble, highlighting systemic failures in crowd control and response mechanisms.
This incident underscores ongoing challenges in election management and law enforcement in West Bengal, with the EC taking decisive steps to ensure accountability and restore order ahead of future electoral processes.
