Kolkata, 01 April (H.S.) : The Election Commission of India (ECI) has reportedly expressed concern over the law and order situation following violent protests outside the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal in Kolkata amid the ongoing election atmosphere. Questions have also been raised over the role of Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nand, who is accused of failing to effectively control the situation.

According to sources, workers of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have been staging protests since Monday outside the CEO’s office, which was recently shifted to the Shipping Corporation Building on Strand Road. Clashes between supporters of the two parties were reported on Tuesday afternoon.

Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal is likely to submit a detailed report on the incident to the ECI, outlining the circumstances that led to the violence and the administrative response to the situation.

On Tuesday night, a TMC councillor along with supporters staged a sit-in outside the CEO office protesting the large number of Form 6 submissions. The CEO office later issued a strong statement on social media describing such activities as unlawful. Form 6 is used for inclusion of names in the electoral roll.

TMC workers have alleged that the BJP is attempting to include names of people from outside the state in the voters’ list to gain electoral advantage. Central forces along with local police were deployed to control the situation, and police reportedly resorted to baton charge to disperse the crowd.

In its statement, the CEO office said that a councillor along with some unruly elements laid siege to the office late at night and raised slogans. It warned that such actions would not be tolerated and legal action would be taken. The Commission reiterated its commitment to ensuring free and fair Assembly elections.

Speaking to reporters, Agarwal said responsibility for the violence outside the CEO office should lie with the Kolkata Police Commissioner, adding that the entire matter would be reported to the Election Commission.

Notably, Ajay Nand was appointed as Kolkata Police Commissioner by the ECI on March 16. Following the incident, speculation has also intensified over his continuation in the post.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh