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regular-article-logo Saturday, 27 July 2024

Fifth phase of Lok Sabha polls in Bengal: 1,913 complaints, 90 arrests in 7 constituencies

The poll panel said there were 1,913 complaints and 90 arrests from the seven constituencies — Barrackpur, Bangaon, Hooghly, Arambagh, Srerampur, Howrah and Uluberia — which voted on Monday, but 90 per cent of the complaints could be resolved as authorities intervened on time

Our Bureau Calcutta Published 21.05.24, 08:58 AM
Security personnel patrol near a polling booth after a clash between BJP and Trinamool workers in Howrah on Monday, the fifth phase of polling.

Security personnel patrol near a polling booth after a clash between BJP and Trinamool workers in Howrah on Monday, the fifth phase of polling. PTI

The fifth phase of Lok Sabha polls in Bengal was largely peaceful barring stray incidents of violence.

The poll panel said there were 1,913 complaints and 90 arrests from the seven constituencies — Barrackpur, Bangaon, Hooghly, Arambagh, Srerampur, Howrah and Uluberia — which voted on Monday, but 90 per cent of the complaints could be resolved as authorities intervened on time. The Telegraph lists some of the complaints that came up during the day.

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Slap

Where: Booth 176, Howrah

Allegation: A polling agent allegedly slapped the presiding officer. The Howrah BJP candidate Rathin Chakraborty reached the spot and complained against the polling agent. Voting was stopped temporarily.

Officialspeak: The commission asked for a report from the district election officer concerned regarding the incident.

Muscle power

Where: Bankra in Srerampur

Allegation: In several booths, CPM agents were not allowed to sit, party members said. The CPM filed a complaint with the district administration. CPM candidate Dishita Dhar accused Trinamool of using muscle power.

Officialspeak: The poll panel has not received any complaint yet.

Voters warned

Where: Booths 174, 175 & 176, Kanchrapara

Allegation: The BJP accused Trinamool of intimidation. Trinamool goons visited some homes of voters and threatened them with dire consequences if they went to vote, the BJP claimed.

Officialspeak: Central forces and a Quick Response Team were sent to the spot.

Sexual assault

Where: Booth 195, Jangipara

Allegation: A woman alleged that an ITBP jawan entered her house and tried to sexually assault her. Her screams alerted everyone following which her husband and other relatives came to her rescue. An FIR has been lodged against the jawan.

Officialspeak: The person has been detained and a case has been registered under Sections 448, 323 and 354B of the IPC.

Fake agent

Where: Booth 215, Barrackpore

Allegation: A person identifying himself as a BJP agent wanted to enter the booth but central forces pushed him out of the booth. Trinamool alleged that the person was trying to influence voters.

Officialspeak: Central forces removed the person from the booth.

Booth jam

Where: Booth 3, Bijpur, Barrackpore

Allegation: When BJP candidate Arjun Singh reached Bijpur, Trinamool workers and supporters showed him black flags and raised go-back slogans. Trinamool alleged that Singh was trying to create a disturbance. The BJP alleged that Trinamool workers were trying to rig the polls.

Officialspeak: The commission has asked for a report from the DEO.

Assault

Where: Gayeshpur, Bongaon

Allegation: Trinamool workers physically assaulted BJP leader Subir Biswas. Other BJP workers were also injured. They were rushed to the hospital. The BJP alleged that Trinamool was indulging in violence to stop people from voting.

Officialspeak: The poll panel has sought a report.

Beaten up

Where: Booth 130, Amdanga, Barrackpore

Allegation: Trinamool workers stopped voters from going to the booth. Some BJP workers were beaten up. The injured workers were taken to Amdanga rural hospital.

Officialspeak: Barasat additional police superintendent and a Quick Response Team brought the situation under control.

Booth capture

Where: Sasthitala, Howrah

Allegation: The BJP alleged that Trinamool captured a couple of booths in the area. The party alleged that when their supporters rushed to the area to prevent ruling party cadres from capturing booths, Trinamool cadres attacked their supporters, among whom two suffered head injuries. Trinamool denied the charges.

Officialspeak: The CAPF and the police immediately brought the situation under control.

SP transfer orders

The Election Commission on Monday ordered the transfer of West Midnapore SP Dhritiman Sarkar. This comes just a day after the EC ordered the transfer of Purulia SP Abhijit Banerjee. The EC instructed the state government to reassign Sarkar, a 2014 batch IPS officer, to a non-election-related position. The commission also requested chief secretary B.P. Gopalika to submit a list of three potential replacements within 24 hours. Medinipur Lok Sabha constituency votes on May 25.

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