Special Police Observer expresses satisfaction over preparedness in poll- bound Bengal
Kolkata: Special Police Observer for Bengal Vivek Dubey on Monday expressed his satisfaction over the preparatory work done by the district and police administration in connection with the ensuing Lok Sabha polls.
Dubey, who reached the city on Sunday evening, held a video conference with the District Magistrates and Police Superintendents of five districts in the state, which are going to polls in the first two phases.
"I took stock of the ongoing work regarding the elections and also asked them about any requirement. They are doing well," he told reporters after the conference.
Dubey, who held a series of meetings during the day, had a short interaction with the media in the afternoon, where he reiterated that the Election Commission will take all possible measures to ensure free and fair elections in the state.
"It is not correct that all booths in the state are sensitive, as claimed by some political parties. They can claim so but they have to furnish evidence," Dubey said.
Sources in the commission said that Dubey, who gave a patient hearing to the political parties, asked them to provide evidence against their claims so that the commission can take action against them. Dubey's advice came in the wake of some political parties alleging partiality of the state administration and police.
When asked whether there will be Central Forces in all the booths, the IPS officer from Andhra Pradesh said: "We are yet to decide on the deployment pattern. We will see the existing state forces and then examine the availability of Central Forces and strategise the force management."
Dubey began his day by holding a meeting with all political parties in the state. He followed it up with an extensive discussion with the senior BSF and CRPF officials at the Port guest house, strategising the possible deployment of forces in the first two phases of election. He then accompanied Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Ariz Aftab to Nabanna.
Subsequently, Dubey held a meeting with state Chief Secretary Malay De in presence of state Home Secretary Atri Bhattacharya. He then held a detailed meeting with DG Virendra on the pending arrests warrant.
The Police Observer ended his day with the video conference. He will again meet the state officials on Tuesday before flying to Jalpaiguri.
Meanwhile, a Trinamool Congress delegation led by MLA Tapas Roy made a number of complaints against BJP for making provocative statements and trying to instill a sense of fear among the voters.
"They are making statements in a manner that is giving the impression that the commission and the Central Forces are functioning under their instructions. I have brought this to the notice of the Police Observer," Roy said.
Mukul Roy, who led the BJP delegation to the CEO's office, claimed that the CEO was acting in a partial manner.
It has been learnt that the CEO was not present when Roy interacted with the Observer, though he was present during the meeting with the political parties. When asked to comment on Roy's claim, Additional CEO Sanjoy Basu said: "I shall not say anything on this because it goes against the protocol and decorum."
