State report to EC shows action taken against all trouble-mongers

Kolkata: The Bengal government has submitted a report to the office of the Election Commission stating that steps have been taken against all potential trouble-mongers across the state.

The Election Commission had earlier instructed senior officials of the state government to take adequate measures and arrest the trouble-mongers who could trigger violence during the polls. The Commission also instructed senior police officers of the state to execute all the non-bailable cases which were still pending in the state.

It was learnt that more than 20,000 trouble-mongers have been identified both by the city and the district police. The Election Commission also wanted to know from senior police officers in the state if any steps were taken against the miscreants. A report was also sought from them.

It can be mentioned here that during his recent visit to the state, Deputy Election Commissioner Sudip Jain had asked Director General of Police Virendra and the then Kolkata Police Commissioner Anuj Sharma to ensure that all the trouble-mongers should be sent behind bars as a pre-emptive measure ahead of elections.

Various political parties also raised a number of issues including the intimidation of voters with the Election Commission. It was also learnt that during his meeting with the election officials, Jain expressed his dissatisfaction over the implementation of the non-bailable cases in some districts. The districts like South 24-Parganas, East and West Burdwan were identified as having a huge number of trouble-mongers.

In the report submitted to the Commission by the state government, officials claimed that steps have been taken against all the potential trouble-mongers. Recently-appointed Special Central Police Observer in the state Vivek Dubey also took a stock of the overall law and order situation in the state and also on various pending cases.

The full Bench of the Election Commission of India (ECI) in February held meetings with the top government officials and issued necessary instructions on what measures need to be taken to ensure a free and fair election.

The ECI full Bench also discussed the law and order situation in the state.