Election Commission (EC) has taken a strict stance on maintaining law and order, ordering the suspension of four police officers over alleged lapses during Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s high-voltage roadshow in south Kolkata’s Bhabanipur, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s constituency.
According to Commission sources, the decision follows a detailed review of a report submitted by the State Chief Electoral Officer regarding disturbances during Shah’s event before the nomination filing of Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari. The EC has also directed that departmental inquiries be initiated immediately against the officers concerned.
Those facing disciplinary action include Siddharth Dutta, Deputy Commissioner (II) of Kolkata Police’s South Division, Officer-in-Charge of Alipore Police Station Priyankar Chakraborty, Additional OC Chandicharan Banerjee, and Sergeant Sourav Chatterjee. The Commission has instructed that the orders be implemented without delay and that a compliance report be submitted by 11:00 am on April 5.
In addition, the administration has been directed to propose replacements for the suspended officers at the earliest to ensure that policing and security arrangements remain unaffected during the election period. The move signals the Commission’s intent to enforce strict accountability and prevent any breakdown of law and order.
The roadshow, which began from Hazra Crossing on Wednesday afternoon, ran into trouble as it passed near the Chief Minister’s residence in Kalighat. Tensions escalated when a group of Trinamool Congress (TMC) supporters staged a protest, reportedly wearing black headbands. The situation quickly spiralled, with clashes breaking out between rival groups after barricades were breached, leaving police struggling to regain control.
Following the incident, Lalbazar police headquarters initiated its own investigation. After examining CCTV footage and video recordings, police have identified 38 persons allegedly involved in the unrest. Sources indicate that the process of issuing notices to these individuals has already begun.
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