Kolkata: With voting for sixth phase of polling spread over 25 Assembly Constituencies in West Bengal scheduled to be held tomorrow, the Election Commission has issued clear directions to keep a strict watch on the law and order situation in the state.
Order have been issued to the District Magistrates, Superintendents of Police and especially the Commanders of CAPF/State police to ensure that each and every voter including the weaker sections feels confident enough to come out and exercise his voting right freely without any fear or pressure.
The Commission also directed that the culprits causing intimidation, creating fear or causing harm to citizens must be brought to book on top priority unhesitatingly.
Prohibitory orders under section 144 of CRPC would be promulgated on poll day and enforced strictly to ensure that any unlawful assembly etc. is effectively curbed.
All matters pertaining to law and order are being pursued with the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, West Bengal and the Commission has directed to take time-bound follow-up action on FIR lodged in these cases and legal action be taken.
The Commission has further directed to take strict action on all cases of post-poll violence.
The Commission also stated that it will not hesitate to respond to violence of any sort, anywhere and anytime and take appropriate legal action irrespective of their political affiliation.
The Commission strongly reiterated that entire Election Machinery including police authorities shall curb violence at all cost and ensure free, fair and peaceful elections in all the polling stations and areas falling under Assembly Constituencies in upcoming phases.
In this regard, the Commission has ordered the following:
1. The district administration has done an in depth review of Police station wise anti social elements in districts and effective strategy has been chalked out to keep every antisocial element under watch to ensure that no voter is threatened or intimidated by anyone.
2. The Commission has issued strict directions for stringent action against outsiders and bikers. Special Bike Mobiles of Police have been deployed to effectively, intensively and extensively check the movement of bikers and to take appropriate action against violators.
3. Night patrolling is being done by separately dedicated CPFQRTs for quick reaction in the night.
4. No. of Nakas have been increased to hundreds to effectively seal the inter district, interstate and international borders. The administrations of neighbouring states have been alerted to coordinate and undertake joint patrolling and joint Naka sealing of interstate borders.
5. BSF has been further directed to step up surveillance at the international border in last 48 hours.
6. To check access of anti-social elements through riverine route, adequate deployment of riverine police with search lights and effective communication system has been pressed into action.
7. Commission in consultation with District Election Authorities/ Police Authorities / Observers and other stake holders, has identified anti-social elements and these elements are under strict watch of police authorities and will not be allowed to intimidate voters / polling agents. Harshest legal action will be taken.
8. All the clubs where likelihood of outsiders assembling and intimidating the voters are identified and they have been brought under strict vigilance including vigil during night time.
9. Activities of anti-social elements who are in jail either under trials or serving imprisonment are under strict watch and will not be allowed access to outside anti-social elements and carry out nefarious activities.
