Cops mull legal action against CPM workers for carrying arms

Kolkata: The state police are looking into the provisions of taking legal actions against CPI(M) workers carrying traditional arms in a rally, when their candidates were heading to file nomination at Nalhati in Birbhum on Thursday.

There were clashes at certain parts of Birbhum over filing of nominations on Thursday and the police have taken all necessary measures to avoid recurrence of such incidents.

CPI(M) workers were found heading along with their candidates to file nomination at Nalhati and many of them were also found carrying traditional weapons, including bow and arrow. It led to tension in the area, as they were opposed while carrying such weapons in the rally.

A large contingent of police was pressed into action to bring the situation under control. The police took necessary action and reinstated normalcy in the area. The police received the video footages of the rally, in which supporters of the political party were found carrying bows and arrows. They are going through the footages.

According to a senior officer of the state police, such an act of carrying arms leads to provocation and this is not the way of taking part in a rally, while heading for filing of nomination. The officer further said that it is not a social or cultural programme that can warrant such weapons to be carried.

Anuj Sharma, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), said: "The police are looking into the legal aspects of it." However, in connection with the incident, leaders of the political party have claimed that the arms were traditio- nal in nature and hence not illegal.

The police have also received video footages showing hurling of bombs outside a building. It has been alleged that the bombs were hurled outside a BDO's office. So, the police are trying to ascertain whether the allegations are true.

Police pickets have been posted in the area to check further recurrence of the incident and the district police have also been asked to intensify the vigil. Additional policemen were also pressed to maintain the law and order situation in the area.