West Bengal: CEC orders patrolling across state, action amidst threats of violence

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has directed the security forces to maintain constant patrolling in West Bengal and take strict action against those involved in violence and vandalism, ANI reported on Wednesday.

The CEC ordered the Chief Secretary of West Bengal, the Director General of Police (DGP), the Kolkata Police Commissioner, and the Director General of the Central Armed Police Forces, as well as all District Magistrates, Superintendents of Police (SPs), and police officers, to maintain constant patrolling, the report said.

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The Election Commission of India (ECI) issued a stern directive to the authorities to ensure 'zero tolerance' toward any incidents of post-poll violence in the state.

The order comes hours after the Trinamool Congress (TMC) office in Asansol's Godhuli area was allegedly vandalised on Monday when the BJP recorded a historic win in the state assembly elections.

As per reports, unknown miscreants vandalised the TMC office, leaving the premises heavily damaged, with furniture, flags, posters and banners torn down, marking the second alleged incident of vandalism of the TMC office.

Another incident involved vandalism of the TMC office in the Dumurjala area of Howrah that led to escalation of the already intensifying political atmosphere in West Bengal.

Mamata Banerjee's resignation row

CEC's directive to maintain constant vigil comes at a time when TMC chief Mamata Banerjee said she will not resign as West Bengal Chief Minister, further asserting that she does not accept the election outcome as a legitimate defeat and will continue her political fight despite the setback.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Banerjee alleged large-scale rigging, voter list manipulation and widespread violence, claiming that “100 seats were stolen” in what she described as a “murder of democracy”.

(With inputs from ANI)