The Supreme Court will hear a plea on May 11 seeking continued deployment of central forces in West Bengal amid fears of post-poll violence. The case comes as vote count trends indicate the BJP is leading strongly and projected to cross the halfway mark in the assembly. Election officials also reported high voter turnout in recent phases, heightening the focus on security.
West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal urged citizens to keep peace after election results, stressing that polling remained largely high and largely violence-free. He said over 500 companies of central forces will stay in the state post-election, supported by strict vigil and control rooms, to prevent any untoward incidents and maintain order during the transition period.
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Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said voters in Bengal went to the polls without fear because of the presence and pro-active role of central forces during the assembly elections. However, he clarified that this support does not extend to the way electoral rolls were specially and intensively revised, raising concerns about the process even while acknowledging security helped calm voters.
During the second phase of West Bengal assembly elections, an elderly voter in Howrah district died, triggering sharp accusations from TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee. He claimed central forces pushed and assaulted the man, collapsing afterward, and alleged the forces are acting as BJP’s private army. Banerjee warned of consequences for those involved in the alleged excesses.
Central Armed Police Forces will continue operating in West Bengal after polling ends, with around 700 companies remaining to help maintain peace and prevent untoward incidents. The extended presence is intended to ensure normalcy and support state administration, while any further change in deployment duration will depend on ground assessments.
An elderly voter died at a polling booth in West Bengal during the second phase of elections, after attempting to enter the booth with his son’s help. He collapsed and was rushed to Amta Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. The TMC alleged he was manhandled by central forces, escalating scrutiny around the incident.
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured West Bengal voters that central forces will remain deployed for seven days after the Assembly elections, regardless of who comes to power. Speaking during a roadshow in Behala, he urged people to vote without fear of goons. The Election Commission has already announced extensive security arrangements as the BJP seeks victory in the state.
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