Tension escalated in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district on Saturday as residents of Falta staged protests alleging threats and intimidation by cadres of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) ahead of the Assembly election vote counting scheduled for May 4.
According to reports, protesters demanded a repoll in Falta, claiming that supporters of the ruling party had issued threats and created an atmosphere of fear in the area. Demonstrators also called for the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) across the locality to ensure safety and prevent further escalation.
Authorities responded by deploying heavy security in the region, with personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) stationed at key points. An armoured CRPF vehicle was also pressed into service as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order amid the rising tensions.
Residents, including several women, voiced concerns over their safety and demanded action against those allegedly responsible. One woman alleged that a local TMC leader had threatened violence if electoral outcomes did not favour the party, while another claimed that despite supporting the ruling party, they were targeted and attacked. Another protester alleged that a group of men led by a local leader entered the village on motorcycles and issued threats, warning of possible violence against villagers.
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The unrest comes as repolling is underway in 15 booths across the Magrahat Paschim and Diamond Harbour constituencies following directions from the Election Commission of India (ECI) over reported irregularities during the second phase of polling.
According to ECI data, voter turnout as of 2 pm stood at 56.33 per cent in Magrahat Paschim (Assembly Constituency 142) and 54.9 per cent in Diamond Harbour (Assembly Constituency 143), with an overall turnout of 55.57 per cent recorded during the repoll process.
Separately, a controversy has emerged over alleged irregularities involving electronic voting machine (EVM) strongrooms. The TMC has filed a complaint against a Returning Officer at the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra, alleging unauthorised sorting of postal ballot covers at the facility, which is being used to store EVMs.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has also raised concerns, alleging that a strongroom was opened without authorisation. An inquiry has reportedly been initiated into the matter, with at least six officials suspended in connection with the incident.
Authorities have heightened security measures across sensitive areas in the state as repolling continues and preparations intensify for the counting of votes on May 4, amid a politically charged atmosphere.
