Police have been deployed in West Bengal’s Hatighisa village after a mob reportedly torched several houses and resorted to vandalism in connection to an alleged murder of a resident on June 20 in the Muribasti area in north Bengal. The incident has led to the deployment of security personnel in the area as well as protests demanding justice by locals. The situation has since become normal but a police probe is currently underway.
West Bengal, which is set to conduct Panchayat elections on July 8, has witnessed numerous incidents of violence and clashes in various parts of the state. In Birbhum’s Ahmadpur, crude bombs were reportedly thrown causing an outbreak of violence, while a TMC worker was beaten to death in the Malda district. With tensions running high and the stakes high for both the BJP and the Trinamool Congress, the state may experience further violence in the run-up to the elections.
To ensure the smooth conduct of polls in all districts of the state, the central government is likely to deploy 22 Coys of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). The Panchayat elections are being considered a litmus test for both parties ahead of next year’s Lok Sabha elections.
The Supreme Court has refused to interfere with the Calcutta High Court’s order regarding the deployment of central forces in West Bengal, and this has been accepted.
The incident highlights the need for peaceful conduct and respect for the democratic process in the state. As the election approaches, political leaders and activists should ensure that they maintain law and order and work towards a fair and peaceful election process.
