The Election Commission of India issued a stern warning to the Kolkata Police and South 24 Parganas District Police for any proven negligence during the upcoming polls in Kolkata on April 29. The warning, delivered at a coordination meeting, emphasized the consequences of mishandling voter intimidation and the use of explosives to influence voters. The Commission, led by Subrata Gupta, the special poll observer for West Bengal, held the meeting with police officials from Kolkata and South 24 Parganas district.
The Election Commission specifically assigned responsibility to Officers-In-Charge (OCs) and Inspectors-In-Charge (ICs) of various police stations to ensure accountability in cases involving voter intimidation or the use of explosives. Failure to act decisively in such situations would result in severe disciplinary actions, as per the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer’s office. The OCs and ICs were instructed to take immediate and strong measures in response to any incidents of voter intimidation or explosives usage.
Following instances of dereliction of duty, the Election Commission replaced the OCs of three police stations and an additional OC, with one of the affected stations being the Alipore Police Station, responsible for guarding the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s official residence. Additionally, the Commission suspended five police officers, including an Additional Superintendent of Police, in the Diamond Harbour Police district of South 24 Parganas district, initiating departmental proceedings against them.
