Kolkata, 19 March (H.S.): Ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has sought a fresh report from Kolkata Police regarding the violence that broke out in the Girish Park area of north Kolkata on March 14.

The incident reportedly took place following a clash between workers of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) near the residence of a state minister.

Notably, the incident occurred on the same day Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a BJP rally at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata.

According to sources in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, the initial report submitted by Kolkata Police did not clearly answer a key question raised by the Commission. The EC had sought an explanation as to why the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), already deployed in the city, were not called in to control the situation.

Sources said the Commission has expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of clarity and has directed Kolkata Police to submit a fresh report with a specific response to the query at the earliest.

So far, nine persons have been arrested in connection with the clash, and the police investigation is currently underway.

The BJP has alleged that Kolkata Police acted in a partisan manner and targeted only its workers. The party claimed the violence began after TMC workers allegedly attacked a bus carrying BJP supporters heading to the Prime Minister’s rally.

The TMC, on the other hand, alleged that stones were thrown at the Girish Park residence of state Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Minister Dr Shashi Panja. The party claimed that BJP supporters on their way to the rally were responsible for the attack. The minister also alleged that she was targeted during the incident.

Rejecting the allegations, the BJP countered that its workers were attacked by TMC supporters while passing through the area, which led to the violence.

The Election Commission is closely monitoring the situation and may take further action after reviewing the fresh report from the city police.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh