Kolkata CEO Office Fortified with Heavy Security After Nighttime Clashes
In a dramatic escalation of political tensions, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) office in Kolkata was placed under stringent security measures on Wednesday. This action followed a late-night meeting between CEO Manoj Agarwal and Police Commissioner Ajay Nand, prompted by sporadic clashes between supporters of the Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The unrest centers on allegations of "illegal" Form 6 applications being submitted to delete voters from the electoral rolls, sparking fears of electoral manipulation ahead of assembly elections.
Expanded Prohibitory Orders and Police Deployment
In response to the volatile situation, Commissioner Nand issued a notification expanding prohibitory orders under Section 163. Previously limited to the perimeter of the CEO's office, these restrictions now cover the entire Strand Road, stretching from the Koylaghat crossing to Kiran Shankar Roy Road. This move aims to prevent further gatherings and maintain public order in the area.
The security measures were intensified after the CEO's office posted a video clip on social media depicting an incident from Tuesday night. The video showed a councillor from Beleghata, accompanied by what officials described as "hooligans," surrounding the CEO office and shouting slogans in the dead of night. In a stern statement, the CEO's office declared, "Such anti-social activities will not be tolerated, and the law will take its own course. The Election Commission will leave no stone unturned to ensure free and fair assembly elections."
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Shrikant Jagannathrao elaborated on the preparations, stating, "Following Tuesday's incident, we have invoked Section 163 here. We have increased our deployment, including more Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel. We have made extensive preparations and have all the necessary resources in place to ensure that no untoward incident occurs. Whatever the situation may be, we are fully prepared to handle it."
Protests and Political Accusations Continue
Despite the CEO's office being converted into a virtual fortress, supporters of the Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI) and Trinamool-backed Booth Level Officers (BLOs) managed to slip through the security cordon on Wednesday. They held separate agitations before being dispersed by police forces. The unrest began in the afternoon when SUCI supporters staged a demonstration coinciding with CEO Agarwal's arrival. Simultaneously, Trinamool-backed BLOs gathered to chant slogans against the CEO, causing significant traffic slowdowns on the crucial artery connecting Babughat to Howrah. Trinamool workers later launched an indefinite protest, further heightening tensions.
The Hare Street Police Station has filed a suo motu case against unidentified individuals involved in the confrontations. Investigators are currently reviewing CCTV footage to identify participants and their specific roles. In a related development, Trinamool Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien, accompanied by senior minister Bratya Basu, alleged that several residents of Bihar had been enrolled as voters in Bengal despite reportedly having voted in assembly polls in the neighboring state last year. O'Brien cited five specific cases of voters being simultaneously enrolled in different states, accusing the BJP of electoral fraud.
BJP Counters Allegations and CEO Clarifies Procedures
The BJP swiftly countered these allegations, with the Bengal BJP stating, "Trinamool is caught in its own web of lies again. Out of seven images: four are appeals to the Election Commission of India after the deletion of names and three are fresh applications. Among them is Sadhana Dey — a Bengali name. Another applicant... Banerjee (name unclear). So now, Bengali names are ‘outsiders'?" This retort highlights the deep-seated political rivalry and mutual accusations of voter list manipulation.
Amid the controversy, CEO Manoj Agarwal provided clarifications on electoral procedures. He explained, "Form 6 can be submitted throughout the year. However, only those Form 6 applications submitted at least 10 days before the last date of filing nominations will be considered." Regarding the Trinamool's allegations about voters being registered in more than one place, he advised, "They should lodge a formal complaint with us." This statement underscores the procedural avenues available for addressing grievances, even as political tensions simmer on the ground.
The situation in Kolkata remains tense, with heightened security and ongoing political disputes threatening to disrupt the electoral process. As both parties trade accusations, the focus shifts to maintaining law and order while ensuring transparency in voter registration ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.
