Election Commission Directs Crackdown on Bomb Makers in West Bengal

The Election Commission of India has instructed central forces deployed for the upcoming second phase of West Bengal Assembly elections to conduct a special operation targeting crude bomb makers in the state before the polling day. Simultaneously, these forces have been tasked with intensifying efforts to defuse bombs to prevent any explosions during the election.
On the same day, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) apprehended the main suspect linked to an explosion in the Bijoyganj Bazar area of South 24 Parganas district.
Additionally, the Election Commission has mandated the West Bengal Police to launch a focused campaign to identify and apprehend individuals involved in producing crude bombs.
Ahead of the second phase of polls, the police have initiated actions to recover explosives. In a recent operation based on a tip-off in the Majerhat area under North Kashipur Police Station, suspicious items and gunpowder were discovered in an abandoned house.
The Election Commission has cautioned the Kolkata Police and South 24 Parganas district police against any lapses in handling voter intimidation or the use of explosives to influence voters during the upcoming polls on April 29.
During a coordination meeting in the city, the Commission emphasized the accountability of Officers-in-Charge (OCs) and Inspectors-in-Charge (ICs) of various police stations, warning them of strict consequences for incidents involving voter intimidation or the use of explosives before or on the polling day.