Kolkata : A massive fire at a government building in Kolkata has destroyed nearly 4,000 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), triggering a high level investigation and raising fresh concerns over the security of electoral equipment. While officials are still assessing the full extent of the damage, a West Bengal minister has said the possibility of foul play cannot be ruled out.
The blaze broke out at a multi storey government facility in the Alipore area, where EVMs used in previous elections were reportedly stored. Fire fighters battled the flames for several hours before bringing the situation under control. Initial reports indicate that thousands of machines were either destroyed or severely damaged. Authorities have yet to provide a final assessment of the losses.
State minister Kaushik Chowdhury said the circumstances surrounding the incident appeared suspicious and warranted a thorough probe. He stated that investigators would examine whether the fire was accidental or the result of deliberate sabotage. However, officials have stressed that no evidence has yet emerged to conclusively establish foul play.
Election authorities have been informed of the incident, and a report submitted to the Election Commission noted that several EVMs may have been damaged in the fire. The exact number of affected machines and their status are still being verified.
The destruction of such a large number of EVMs has sparked political debate, with rival parties demanding transparency in the investigation. Questions have also been raised about the storage and safeguarding of critical election infrastructure, although officials maintain that the damaged machines were not in active use for any ongoing electoral process.
Police have registered a case, while forensic teams and fire department experts are examining the site to determine the cause of the blaze. Investigators are expected to review CCTV footage, electrical systems, and other evidence as part of the inquiry.
The incident comes at a time when electoral processes remain under intense public scrutiny, making the outcome of the investigation particularly significant. Authorities have assured that all findings will be made public once the probe is completed.
For now, the cause of the fire remains undetermined, and officials say conclusions regarding negligence or sabotage will depend on the results of the ongoing investigation.
ALSO READ: How Trinamool’s ‘Golden Boy’ Dragged Senior Kolkata Cop Into ED’s Net, Read Details
