TMC claims central forces assaulting voters in Balurghat ward

The ruling Trinamool Congress on April 26 alleged that voters are being assaulted in Balurghat’s Municipality Ward No. 9.

Taking to social media X, Mamata Banerjee's party claimed that the central forces deployed to secure free elections are sabotaging democracy in Bengal. It further said that the voting has been stopped.

The TMC has lodged 31 poll complaints, of which 17 are from Balurghat, between 9 to 10 am.

Apart from Balurghat, Darjeeling, and Raiganj Lok Sabha constituencies in north Bengal are also witnessing polling in the second phase.

On Wednesday, the Election Commission of India said that 98 per cent of the polling stations in the three Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal that are going to polls in the second phase are "critical", because of which, central forces will be deployed at all polling stations in these seats.

"In the second phase of voting, 98 per cent of the polling stations in these seats have been identified as critical. As a result, central forces will be deployed in all polling stations.

"Besides, there will be 272 companies of CAPFs (Central Armed Police Forces) to take quick action in case of any disturbance on polling day," an election official said.

Also, an additional 12,983 state police personnel will be deployed, he said.

The poll body will deploy 73 companies of central forces at Balurghat, 60 companies in Raiganj, 51 each in Darjeeling and Islampur, 21 in Siliguri and 16 in Kalimpong, he said.

One company of central forces comprises around 100 personnel.

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