Bengal Police DGP Faces Deadline Over Attack on Election Observer

The deadline for Rajeev Kumar, the Director General of West Bengal Police, to submit a report to the Election Commission of India (ECI) regarding an attack on a poll observer has arrived. The incident occurred last month when C. Murugan, an IAS officer designated as a special roll observer, was allegedly attacked by activists of the ruling Trinamool Congress in the South 24 Parganas district.

Murugan was conducting a review of hearing sessions in Magrahat when the attack took place. Activists reportedly heckled him and obstructed his vehicle. Questions have since been raised about the state police’s failure to provide adequate security, despite prior notice being given to district authorities regarding Murugan’s visit.

After the incident, Murugan filed a comprehensive report detailing the events to the ECI’s headquarters in New Delhi. Following this, the ECI demanded a detailed report from DGP Kumar by 17:00 on January 6, 2023. The urgency of this request highlights the ECI’s serious approach towards ensuring the security of election officials.

Continued Security Concerns in West Bengal

In its communication to Kumar, the ECI emphasized that any future lapses in security arrangements for election observers would not be tolerated. This incident is part of a troubling trend; since the commencement of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in November 2022, there have been numerous reports of harassment directed at electoral officers, predominantly attributed to Trinamool Congress activists.

Notably, Manoj Kumar Agarwal, the Chief Electoral Officer for West Bengal, has also faced aggressive protests from groups aligned with the ruling party, further complicating the electoral process in the region.

In response to these escalating security concerns, the Union Home Ministry has upgraded Agarwal’s security to ‘Y-category’, providing him with protection from Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). This decision came after recommendations from the ECI regarding the safety of electoral officials.

As the deadline for Rajeev Kumar approaches, it remains to be seen whether the report will be submitted in time and what measures will be implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future. The ECI’s proactive stance reflects a growing commitment to ensuring the integrity and safety of the electoral process in West Bengal, a critical factor as the state prepares for upcoming elections.

With the political landscape in West Bengal becoming increasingly volatile, the actions taken by the ECI and state police will be closely monitored, both for their immediate impact and for the long-term implications for electoral governance in the region.