On the day of voting for the fourth phase of Assembly elections in West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress has questioned the Election Commission for it's expected action against the firing attack done by CRPF in West Bengal's Cooch Behar. The killing of four people has created an uproar as TMC has strongly condemned the action taken by the CRPF.
The Trinamool Congress has issued a letter to the Election Commission where it mentions the killing of 4 people and injuring of 3 people by the CAPF. The letter read, "the mistake of seven people was only that they participated in the festival of democracy which is being conducted by you (EC)."
It further read that the Superintendent of Police who was the charge of CAPF in that district is also a person whom the ECI found suitable for the replacement of erstwhile SP.
The TMC accused the EC of being in favour of BJP. It said that the EC is faclitating violence done by the BJP and the CAPF is following the orders of the Home Minister of India. In previous three phases, TMC had raised complaints against the CAPF but no action was taken by the election body.
Citing these issues, TMC raised two questions in the letter. It asked, what action is being contemplated against the errant CAPF, its hierarchy and the SP of Coochbehar and secondly what action will be taken against the senior election Commission of India officials for this act of murder.
Four persons were killed as central forces allegedly opened fire after coming under attack from locals, who "attempted to snatch their rifles", in West Bengal's Cooch Behar district on Saturday, police said.
The incident took place in Sitalkuchi area when voting was underway, a senior district police officer said.
"As per preliminary reports, four persons were killed as CISF personnel opened fire after coming under attack in a village."
The TMC claimed that the four deceased persons were its supporters.
When asked whether any action has been taken against the CISF personnel, the officer said, "It is for the EC to decide. As per our reports, they opened fire in self-defence." Clashes broke out between TMC and BJP activists in Mathabhanga area of Sitalkuchi while voting was underway, a source said.
BJP's Cooch Behar MP Nisith Pramanik, who is also contesting the assembly elections from Dinhata constituency, alleged that TMC supporters attacked the booth.
"TMC goons attacked the booth with an intention to loot it. Maybe the central forces opened fire in self- defence," he said.
