Kolkata: Authorities in West Bengal have launched a major crackdown following a surge in post-election violence across the state, with police reporting more than 400 arrests and over 200 First Information Reports (FIRs) registered in the past 48 hours.
Acting Director General of Police Siddh Nath Gupta briefed the media on Wednesday, stating that 433 individuals have been arrested while another 1,100 have been detained as a preventive measure since the election results were declared on May 4. Incidents have included threats, assaults, and intimidation, with fresh reports of violence continuing into Wednesday morning.
Gupta confirmed two deaths linked to the unrest — one in Nanoor and another in New Town — and said those responsible for both murders have been taken into custody. He urged residents to channel grievances through formal complaints at police stations rather than resorting to vigilante actions, stressing the need to preserve peace and avoid taking the law into their own hands.
In a notable confrontation in the Najat area of Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district, a police officer and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel came under gunfire while responding to a potential communal clash. An officer-in-charge sustained a gunshot wound to the leg, and four others, including a woman constable, were injured. All injured personnel are stable. Police conducted raids late Tuesday night, arresting four suspects, with operations ongoing.
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Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Kumar Nand announced that 80 people have been arrested within the city’s jurisdiction — 65 in specific cases and 15 preventively. He warned of stringent action against those attempting to create an atmosphere of fear and noted that several arms have been seized during raids. Nand also prohibited victory processions involving bulldozers or JCBs, threatening action against vehicle owners who rent them out for such purposes.
Elsewhere, miscreants vandalised a Lenin statue in Jiaganj, Murshidabad district, leading to the arrest of five individuals. In another incident reported by Inspector General of Police (Barasat) Amit P Javalgi, houses were ransacked in a village, with one person shot in the leg and minor injuries to CAPF jawans and a woman constable. Four suspects have been detained there, and bombs were recovered in some areas.
The state has deployed 500 companies of CAPF for maintaining law and order, in addition to 200 companies guarding EVM strongrooms. The Indian Express had earlier reported at least four deaths allegedly tied to post-poll violence, involving workers from BJP and TMC.
The BJP clarified that individuals cannot claim party membership without formal acceptance and stated that its leadership has directed strict police action against miscreants