Will Bengal Police Enhance Security Before the Draft Voter List on December 9?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The West Bengal Police is ramping up security ahead of the draft voters' list release.
- Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee warns of potential chaos due to voter discrepancies.
- Police are advised to manage protests with restraint.
- Increased patrol frequency is planned in anticipation of unrest.
- Concerns about the integrity of the electoral process are rising.
Kolkata, Nov 29 (NationPress) The West Bengal Police Directorate has instructed all police stations within the jurisdiction of Kolkata Police and other police commissionerates to implement heightened security protocols in anticipation of potential disruptions in law and order following the release of the draft voters' list on December 9.
This directive follows the conclusion of the initial phase of the three-part Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process carried out by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
State Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee previously voiced her concerns during a major 'anti-SIR' rally in Bangaon, North 24 Parganas on November 25, warning of 'significant turmoil' post-publication of the electoral rolls.
“Once the draft list is released, chaos is inevitable. I can foresee this. The booth-level officers are facing challenges in uploading enumeration forms via the BLO app due to poor internet connectivity. Frequent errors occur during the upload process. I have been informed that Artificial Intelligence is involved in the SIR process, which could potentially replace legitimate voters with fraudulent entries,” she alleged at the rally.
A source from the state police confirmed that the Police Directorate shares the Chief Minister's concerns regarding potential unrest if numerous genuine voters' names are removed from the list.
"Police stations have been advised in advance to prepare for any possible decline in law and order following the draft voters' list publication on December 9," stated the official.
Additionally, police stations have been instructed to handle protests regarding the possible removal of names from the voters' list with patience and restraint.
The officers in charge have been directed to keep their subordinate officers informed to prevent any unforeseen incidents.
Moreover, police stations have been urged to increase their patrolling frequency in their respective jurisdictions ahead of the event.