Kolkata: The Bengal CEO has directed the ADG (legal) to submit a report on poll-related violence during the 2021 Bengal Legislative Assembly election and the 2024 general election.In a letter dated March 15, the CEO sought a list of police station-level officers under whose jurisdiction violence occurred during the 2021 pre-poll and poll-day phases and the 2024 pre-poll, poll-day and post-poll periods.An official said around 1,300 incidents were reported in 2021. A special investigation team was later formed to probe the cases under the monitoring of former Calcutta High Court chief justice Manjula Chellur. The scale of post-poll violence that year has made the Election Commission (EC) cautious this time, the official added. Political clashes were also reported during the 2024 polls despite the EC’s pledge of zero tolerance.Bengal CEO Manoj Agarwal said police accountability would be fixed, with strict action for lapses. Central forces have been alerted to prevent intimidation inside booths and must report any electoral malpractice to their superiors. Any compromise by the force will invite punishment. Agarwal has also sought reports from senior officers on action taken by officers-in-charge (OCs) to clear crimes in their jurisdictions. The reports, due by March 19, will include verified non-bailable warrants and lists of history-sheeters. The EC is analysing how past incidents were handled along with earlier reports submitted by the DGP. Agarwal said, “Somebody has to take responsibility. The message is clear from top to bottom. Responsibility will be fixed.”The CEO has also asked the Kolkata Police commissioner to explain why central forces were not deployed during violence at Girish Park.The EC is prioritising cases involving crude bomb recoveries, booth capturing allegations and voter intimidation.
