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EC Steps Up Monitoring to Prevent Post-Poll Violence in Bengal

The Election Commission has directed West Bengal's Chief Electoral Officer to monitor the situation to prevent post-poll violence after the Assembly elections. The CEO's office held a virtual meeting with District Magistrates and Police Superintendents on Thursday. Police arrested about 2,000 'miscreants' before each phase to ensure peaceful polling, but there is risk of fresh unrest if they get bail. Following the 2021 elections, 1,979 complaints of crimes like murder and rape were filed, with some cases still pending in courts.

Key Points: Bengal: EC Monitors to Prevent Post-Poll Violence

  • EC directs Bengal CEO to prevent post-poll violence
  • 2,000 'miscreants' arrested before each phase
  • Risk of fresh unrest if arrested individuals get bail
  • 1,979 post-poll violence complaints from 2021 elections pending in courts
2 min read

Bengal: EC to monitor situation to prevent post-poll violence​

Election Commission directs Bengal CEO to monitor situation to prevent post-poll violence after Assembly elections; 2,000 miscreants arrested preemptively.

"the Commission has taken proactive steps - source at the Chief Electoral Officer's office"

Kolkata, April 30

The Election Commission has directed the office of the state's Chief Electoral Officer to monitor the situation in West Bengal to prevent post-poll violence.​

In this regard, the CEO's office held a virtual meeting with the District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police on Thursday. Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agrawal gave this message to the officers.​

After the end of the second and final phase of the Assembly elections on Wednesday, reports of sporadic political clashes have come from various districts of the state.​

Seeing this, a source at the Chief Electoral Officer's office said the Commission has taken proactive steps.​

According to Commission officials, the police had arrested about two thousand 'miscreants' as a precautionary measure before the first phase of the current Assembly elections. Almost the same number of 'miscreants' were arrested before the second phase as well.​

Those arrested individuals used to create an atmosphere of fear in several areas during the past elections.​

As a result of this step by the Commission, the polling has become largely peaceful. However, if they come out on bail, there is a risk of fresh unrest.​

Therefore, it was decided to monitor the situation in the state to prevent post-poll violence in the run-up to the vote counting on May 4.​

It may be noted that following the 2021 Assembly elections, allegations of post-poll violence surfaced in various districts of the state, including Kolkata.​

About 1,979 complaints of various crimes, including murder, rape, and arson, were filed in the Calcutta High Court.​

On the orders of the High Court, the National Human Rights Commission had prepared a report after investigating the 'post-poll violence'.​

The High Court sought the state's response on the matter.​

A Central Bureau of Investigation investigation was also ordered in some cases, such as murder and rape.​

Various cases of post-poll violence are still pending in various courts.​

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul R
Arresting 2000 'miscreants' before phases sounds good but seriously, how many are actually habitual offenders? Many times these are just local party workers picked up to show action. Real issue is the systematic violence by political goons. EC needs to be more transparent about who gets arrested and why.
A
Arun Y
Post-poll violence is a Bengal tradition unfortunately. The courts and NHRC reports from last time showed how deep the problem is. But simply monitoring won't help unless there's swift action against those who spread fear. Let's hope May 4 passes peacefully for once. 🙏
S
Siddharth J
The fact that EC had to issue this direction itself shows how serious the problem is. But shouldn't the state police be capable of maintaining law and order without central monitoring? Why does every election in Bengal end up with violence allegations? Really frustrating.
R
Rekha R
Remember the 2021 aftermath - it was terrible. Families lost homes, women faced harassment. The CBI probe ordered by High Court in murder and rape cases was necessary. EC should also ensure that victims from last time get justice, not just prevent new incidents.
D
Divya L
Proactive steps are welcome but arresting people before they commit crime raises civil liberties questions. That said, in Bengal's context, maybe it's the lesser evil. But EC should ensure the arrests are lawful and not just arbitrary. Balance is key.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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