Calcutta High Court Seeks CAPF Support for Cooperative Bank Elections
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Synopsis
A petition has been filed in the Calcutta High Court requesting CAPF deployment for the upcoming cooperative bank elections in West Bengal, addressing concerns of electoral misconduct and violence.
Key Takeaways
- Petition to the Calcutta High Court for CAPF deployment.
- Concerns over violence during elections scheduled for March 29.
- Similar CAPF deployment occurred in December last year.
- CCTV cameras mandated to monitor polling activities.
- Prohibitory orders in place to prevent large gatherings.
Kolkata, March 25 (NationPress) A petition was submitted to the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday requesting the deployment of central armed paramilitary forces (CAPF) for the elections of a cooperative bank in West Bengal.
The request, made by Swapan Bera, aims to secure special protection for the upcoming elections at the Contai Co-Operative Agriculture & Rural Development Bank Ltd in East Midnapore district, and was received by the division bench led by Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Chaiali Chattopadhyay. The matter is anticipated to be heard within the current week.
Previously, CAPF personnel were deployed during the Contai Co-Operative Bank elections last December following a directive from the Supreme Court. At that time, the court also mandated the installation of CCTV cameras at polling stations to deter electoral misconduct.
Referencing this, Bera has now approached the Calcutta High Court for similar measures for the upcoming election, expressing concerns over potential electoral fraud.
In his appeal, Bera stated that during the election set for March 29, there are fears of violence from supporters of the ruling Trinamool Congress, making CAPF deployment essential for maintaining order.
If the High Court grants the request and orders the deployment of CAPF, it will mark the second instance in just over three months that central forces will assist in the elections for a cooperative bank in the state.
In addition to the CAPF deployment for the Contai Co-operative Bank elections in December, the entire voting and counting process was monitored by 300 CCTV cameras installed across 14 polling stations.
Prohibitory orders limiting gatherings within a 200 metre radius of polling stations were also enforced at that time. Alongside CAPF personnel, approximately 60 state police officers were present at the polling sites.
East Midnapore is the home district of BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari. His brother, Soumendu Adhikari, is currently the MP representing the Kanthi Lok Sabha constituency, under which the Contai Co-operative Bank falls.
