New Delhi: West Bengal Police have registered 200 cases and arrested 433 people in connection with incidents of post poll violence reported across the state following the declaration of Assembly election results on May 4.
Director General of Police Siddh Nath Gupta said authorities have also placed more than 1,100 individuals under preventive detention as part of efforts to maintain law and order and prevent further unrest.
The developments come after the Election Commission of India directed the West Bengal administration and security agencies to adopt a zero tolerance approach towards post poll violence in the state.
According to the police chief, strong preventive measures are being implemented across sensitive areas with the support of Central Armed Police Forces. Around 500 companies of CAPFs continue to remain deployed in West Bengal even after the conclusion of the election process. Officials said the forces will stay in the state until further instructions are issued by the Election Commission.
The DGP also addressed concerns regarding changes in the security arrangements of outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee. He clarified that both leaders continue to receive security cover as per official protocol, but certain additional arrangements previously provided to them had been withdrawn to strengthen deployment for maintaining law and order across the state.
Appealing for calm, Gupta urged citizens not to take the law into their own hands. He said people with grievances should approach the police rather than resorting to violence or retaliation.
He also stated that police would register suo motu cases in situations where incidents occur even if no formal complaint is filed.
Political tensions have remained high in the state following the Assembly election results, with several incidents of clashes, vandalism and unrest being reported from different districts. Authorities have intensified monitoring in sensitive regions as efforts continue to prevent escalation and restore normalcy.
