Kolkata, 22 April (H.S.) : Amid the ongoing West Bengal Assembly elections, the Trinamool Congress has accused Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel of assaulting villagers and creating an atmosphere of fear in Nandigram. The party has lodged a formal complaint with the Election Commission, submitting photographs as evidence.

The Trinamool Congress alleged that the CRPF was acting at the behest of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and that central forces were being misused for political purposes.

Several incidents of tension were reported on Tuesday in Nandigram, the Assembly constituency represented by Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari. In particular, villagers in the Kanchanpur area accused CRPF personnel of assault. Local women also staged protests against the alleged incident.

A local youth, identified as Khokan Santra, claimed that he lives in Howrah for work and had returned home to cast his vote. According to him, CRPF personnel allegedly beat him before he could understand what was happening. Villagers said four people were injured in the incident and were treated at Nandigram Super Speciality Hospital.

In its letter to the Election Commission, the Trinamool Congress said complaints had emerged regarding excessive criminal force, intimidation and assault against residents of the 210-Nandigram Assembly constituency. The party alleged that ordinary people were attacked without any provocation.

The party also submitted photographs of the injured persons to the Commission, stating that the alleged actions were not only unethical but also unlawful. It said forces entrusted with ensuring peaceful and fair polling were not expected to behave in such a manner.

Referring to the Union Home Ministry, the Trinamool Congress said the CRPF functions under its control and alleged that the BJP was misusing the force. The party has demanded that the Election Commission issue a show-cause notice to the CRPF, suspend the personnel involved, and take immediate steps to prevent recurrence of such incidents.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh