Seeking to check poll-related violence in West Bengal, the Election Commission today stepped in by warning of action against officers who fail to take preventive measures and said perpetrators would not be spared irrespective of their political affiliation.
The Commission said the entire election machinery, including police will curb violence "at all cost" and ensure free, fair and peaceful elections in all the 127 constituencies which will go for 4th, 5th, and 6th phases of Assembly polls on April 25, 30 and May 5.
"Prior to the poll day, as part of vulnerability mitigation strategy, confidence building measures are being undertaken by large number of central police forces which includes visits to the identified vulnerable habitations, contacting vulnerable people and also preventive measures like seizure of arms and weapons, execution of non-bailable warrants, binding down of history sheeters, anti-social elements by applying relevant legal provisions to ensure fear-free environment," the Commission said in a statement.
It said that each case of pre-poll, poll day and post-poll violence is being closely monitored and "strict action would be taken against such perpetrators irrespective of their political affiliation."
The poll watchdog has also ensured that the officials concerned in the areas of poll-related violence are held accountable and that strict action is taken against those who show any negligence in taking necessary preventive measures or post-occurrence legal action in such cases.
Workers of rival parties have been clashing with each other in West Bengal where Assembly polls are underway. They have used crude bombs which have left several people injured. But so far, there has been only one poll day violence-related death in the state. But people have died in pre-poll and post violence.
(REOPENS DEL19)
According to an EC statement, the Commission is following up with Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal and DGP each of the matter of post-poll violence.
As a result, the police authorities have arrested accused persons in such violence cases in the past two days, it said.
Giving details, the statement said that on April 21, 11 cases were recorded and till now 13 peoples have been arrested in constituencies which polled during phase three of the Assembly polls.
On April 22, six incidents of post-poll violence took place in the third phase in which till now seven persons have been arrested.
In the entire state a total of 29 specific cases were registered and 26 people have been arrested as on April 22.
