Lok Sabha Polls: EC Orders Removal of Murshidabad DIG Over Violence, Lack of Supervision

The Election Commission of India on Monday ordered the removal of the deputy inspector general of police in West Bengal’s Murshidabad, following repeated incidents of violence. The action was taken over lack of supervision to prevent more incidents, sources said.

According to the sources, two violent incidents were reported in which weapons and explosives were used. “The commission has decided to remove DIG Murshidabad (in the rank of IG) in the context of two violent incidents reported there with use of weapons and explosives, and lack of supervision in immediately preventing follow-up incidents,” the sources said.

They said the poll panel had made it clear while visiting the state that there will be zero tolerance for violence, and responsibility will be fixed at the higher level.

Murshidabad had reported five deaths and was among the worst-hit districts in the local body polls held in June-July last year. A total of 15 deaths were reported from the state.

This is not the first time Murshidabad is in the limelight. Violence, with deaths involved, has been the common factor in almost every local body poll held in the region in the last two decades.

Keeping in mind the history of the state and region, the EC had issued strict instructions to the state administration to contain violence and ensure a level-playing field during the Lok Sabha elections, beginning on April 19. On its visit to the state last month, the poll body had said its goal is to ensure free and fair elections without violence in the state. There is no place for fear or intimidation in elections, it had said.

“Any partisan approach to the bureaucracy will not be tolerated; we have made this clear. There is absolutely no tolerance for any form of violence in this celebration of democracy,” chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar had said.

He had also said a sufficient number of central forces will be deployed in West Bengal, and it will be done in an “impartial manner”.

The CEC had stressed that law enforcement agencies and other related entities have been instructed to maintain surveillance on interstate as well as international borders to curb the flow of inducements, especially drugs, gold, and counterfeit Indian currency.