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IANSFlagging an acute dearth of state police personnel for booth-level deployment, the Election Commission has given a Friday evening deadline to the West Bengal Chief Secretary to withdraw "excess" security after reviewing the government-provided security cover for private individuals (categorised and non-categorised protectees) in West Bengal. Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee slammed the BJP-ECI over the withdrawal of security of Trinamool Congress leaders.
The state is set to go for polling on April 23 and 29 in two phases.
“The manpower which becomes available as a result of this rationalisation exercise may be redeployed for election-related duties, particularly for booth deployment,” ECI said in the letter, stating that it has come to their notice that a large number of individuals fall under the "non-categorised" category of protectees, as per the list available with the WB-CEO's office.
The entire exercise should be completed by 5 PM today and “a compliance report should be submitted by 5 PM on April 17 to the CEO office,” ECI Police Observer Himanshu Kumar Lal wrote in a letter (seen by ET) to the state Chief Secretary. A copy has been given to the state DGP, Home Secretary, Director-Security, and State Police Observer.
The Trinamool Supremo Mamata Banerjee today slammed the ECI for withdrawing the security of Trinamool Congress leaders only and not BJP leaders. “Have you withdrawn the security of BJP leaders? Every other leader is moving around with “Z” category security and doing “goondaism” with CAPF. But their security is not removed.” Banerjee was speaking at a poll rally in Cooch Behar. Sources said that there are over 200 individuals, mostly Trinamool Congress leaders, currently enjoying government security.
“For protectees of the categorised zone, Director, Security should certify in each case that the security deployed is at par with the notification and excess personnel, if any, have been withdrawn,” ECI said.
“It is also requested that all District SPs may be directed to provide security only to those private persons who are under grave and imminent danger to life,” ECI said in the letter, adding that “any security to a private person shall be provided only on a reasoned order by the concerned SP, and a copy of the said order must be sent to the CEO's office without fail.”
The ECI in the first week of April had sought a status report in connection with its directives to withdraw government-provided security cover for political leaders with criminal antecedents. Leaders who have been granted bail or are out of jail on parole, cutting across political parties, have been given security coverage by the state government, sources had informed.
ECI measures
The letter by ECI also elaborated that through multiple “preventive, action-oriented and confidence-building measures, the SPs have reported a conducive environment of peace across the districts.” However, it is also felt that there is an acute dearth of state police personnel available for booth-level deployment.
“In view of the elections, massive deployment of CAPF has been made in all Assembly constituencies; CAPF is conducting flag marches, route marches, and area domination exercises on a massive scale in critical and vulnerable areas; CAPF is also undertaking confidence-building exercises on a large scale in sensitive areas; SPs and DMs are themselves visiting vulnerable areas for confidence-building measures,” ECI stated in the letter.
“In addition, as per reports received from DMs and SPs, the overall situation in the districts is peaceful. Regular patrolling is being carried out by OCs and SDPOs; Flying Squad Teams (FSTs) and Static Surveillance Teams (SSTs) are conducting regular checks in the area; all intimidators are being booked under Sections 126, 128, and 129 of BNSS; all warrants are being executed promptly; hardened criminals are being arrested under stringent sections of BNS, and notorious accused persons are being arrested under Section 111 BNS by the District Police,” ECI said, elaborating the measures taken.
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The state is set to go for polling on April 23 and 29 in two phases.
“The manpower which becomes available as a result of this rationalisation exercise may be redeployed for election-related duties, particularly for booth deployment,” ECI said in the letter, stating that it has come to their notice that a large number of individuals fall under the "non-categorised" category of protectees, as per the list available with the WB-CEO's office.
The entire exercise should be completed by 5 PM today and “a compliance report should be submitted by 5 PM on April 17 to the CEO office,” ECI Police Observer Himanshu Kumar Lal wrote in a letter (seen by ET) to the state Chief Secretary. A copy has been given to the state DGP, Home Secretary, Director-Security, and State Police Observer.
The Trinamool Supremo Mamata Banerjee today slammed the ECI for withdrawing the security of Trinamool Congress leaders only and not BJP leaders. “Have you withdrawn the security of BJP leaders? Every other leader is moving around with “Z” category security and doing “goondaism” with CAPF. But their security is not removed.” Banerjee was speaking at a poll rally in Cooch Behar. Sources said that there are over 200 individuals, mostly Trinamool Congress leaders, currently enjoying government security.
“For protectees of the categorised zone, Director, Security should certify in each case that the security deployed is at par with the notification and excess personnel, if any, have been withdrawn,” ECI said.
“It is also requested that all District SPs may be directed to provide security only to those private persons who are under grave and imminent danger to life,” ECI said in the letter, adding that “any security to a private person shall be provided only on a reasoned order by the concerned SP, and a copy of the said order must be sent to the CEO's office without fail.”
The ECI in the first week of April had sought a status report in connection with its directives to withdraw government-provided security cover for political leaders with criminal antecedents. Leaders who have been granted bail or are out of jail on parole, cutting across political parties, have been given security coverage by the state government, sources had informed.
ECI measures
The letter by ECI also elaborated that through multiple “preventive, action-oriented and confidence-building measures, the SPs have reported a conducive environment of peace across the districts.” However, it is also felt that there is an acute dearth of state police personnel available for booth-level deployment.
“In view of the elections, massive deployment of CAPF has been made in all Assembly constituencies; CAPF is conducting flag marches, route marches, and area domination exercises on a massive scale in critical and vulnerable areas; CAPF is also undertaking confidence-building exercises on a large scale in sensitive areas; SPs and DMs are themselves visiting vulnerable areas for confidence-building measures,” ECI stated in the letter.
“In addition, as per reports received from DMs and SPs, the overall situation in the districts is peaceful. Regular patrolling is being carried out by OCs and SDPOs; Flying Squad Teams (FSTs) and Static Surveillance Teams (SSTs) are conducting regular checks in the area; all intimidators are being booked under Sections 126, 128, and 129 of BNSS; all warrants are being executed promptly; hardened criminals are being arrested under stringent sections of BNS, and notorious accused persons are being arrested under Section 111 BNS by the District Police,” ECI said, elaborating the measures taken.
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