EC flags security lapses, seeks Bengal police report by Jan 6

The Election Commission (EC) has written to West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP), flagging serious security lapses during the visit of an electoral roll observer to Special Intensive Revision (SIR) hearing camps in South 24 Parganas district, and sought a detailed action taken report by 5 pm on January 6.In a letter to the DGP, the Commission said senior bureaucrat and electoral roll observer C Murugan, in his report, highlighted a series of incidents that occurred during his visit to SIR hearing camps on December 29 in Magrahat-I, Magrahat-II and Kulpi blocks. Similar concerns were also raised in reports submitted by the special electoral roll observer and the chief electoral officer, the EC noted.
After examining the reports, the Commission observed that although the tour programme had been shared in advance with the concerned sub-divisional officer and superintendent of police, adequate security arrangements were not put in place. As a result, the observer was compelled to move through sensitive areas without proper police protection.The EC further noted incidents of sloganeering, mob gathering, obstruction of official work and damage to the observer’s vehicle during the visit. An FIR was eventually lodged on December 29 against 30 to 40 unidentified persons after repeated attempts, the letter said.“These incidents reflect serious lapses on the part of the police administration,” the Commission stated, directing the DGP to submit an action taken report detailing police action, follow-up measures and steps initiated to fix responsibility within the stipulated deadline.
According to information, the poll body also issued directions that, going forward, whenever an electoral roll observer or special electoral roll observer undertakes a field visit, the officer must be accompanied by a senior police official with adequate security arrangements to ensure safety during official duties. The EC stressed strict compliance with these instructions to maintain a secure environment for the conduct of the SIR and other electoral processes.On December 29, Murugan’s vehicle was damaged after an agitating crowd gheraoed him during his visit to an SIR hearing centre at Magrahat. The protesters, largely women, blocked the exit route and repeatedly thumped the bonnet and window panes of the car, while police personnel formed a cordon to clear the way. The driver-side door handle was later found almost ripped off.Murugan also faced resistance during the SIR exercise on two earlier occasions, according to the Commission’s communication.