Hundreds of local residents staged a protest in Falta area of South 24 Parganas alleging threats and intimidation by Trinamool Congress (TMC) cadres ahead of the West Bengal Assembly election counting scheduled for May 4. Speaking to reporters, the residents claimed that TMC workers threatened to “burn their houses" if BJP wins in the area.
A local woman said, “TMC’s Israfil Chowkidar has threatened us that if these people win, they will burn our houses here and carry out bloodshed."
Another woman named the same person, Israfil Chowkidar, and demanded his arrest. “We had voted for TMC, yet they attacked us… TMC’s Israfil Chowkidar has threatened us. We want him to be arrested. We need safety for women," she said.As the protest unfolded, security forces, including personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Rapid Action Force (RAF), were deployed at key locations in the area. An armoured CRPF vehicle was also stationed as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order amid growing concerns of unrest.
As the protest unfolded, security forces, including personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Rapid Action Force (RAF), were deployed at key locations in the area. An armoured CRPF vehicle was also stationed as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order amid growing concerns of unrest.
The protest comes at a time when repolling is underway in 15 booths across Magrahat Paschim and Diamond Harbour constituencies following directions from the Election Commission of India over reported irregularities during the second phase of polling.
According to official data, voter turnout stood at 56.33 per cent in Magrahat Paschim and 54.9 per cent in Diamond Harbour as of 2 pm, with an overall turnout of 55.57 per cent recorded during the repoll exercise.
