Lok Sabha Elections: EC Directs DIG of Murshidabad to Be Removed Due to Violence and Inadequate Supervision

In response to many violent occurrences, the Indian Election Commission on Monday ordered the deputy inspector general of police in Murshidabad, West Bengal, to be removed. According to insiders, the action was taken due to a lack of oversight in order to stop more incidences.

The reports state that there have been two violent occurrences involving the use of explosives and guns. The sources said, “In light of two violent incidents reported there involving the use of weapons and explosives, as well as a lack of supervision in promptly preventing follow-up incidents, the commission has decided to remove DIG Murshidabad (in the rank of IG).”

They added that during their visit to the state, the poll panel made it very apparent that violence would not be tolerated and that higher authorities would take responsibility.

According to local body elections conducted in June and July of last year, Murshidabad was one of the worst-hit areas and had recorded five fatalities. The state recorded fifteen fatalities in all.

Murshidabad is in the news often. This is not the first time. Nearly all of the local body polls conducted in the area over the last 20 years have included violence and fatalities.

Given the state’s and the region’s past, the EC has given the state government stringent directives to prevent violence and provide an even playing field for the Lok Sabha elections, which start on April 19. The poll body said during its visit to the state last month that its objective is to guarantee free and fair elections free from violence in the state. It had said that fear and intimidation had no place during elections.

We have said unequivocally that we would not allow any politicized approach to the bureaucracy. In this celebration of democracy, there is zero tolerance for any kind of violence,” chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar had said.

Additionally, he had said that a significant number of central troops will be sent to West Bengal, and that the deployment would take place in a “impartial manner.”

The CEC had emphasized that in order to stop the flow of inducements, including narcotics, gold, and counterfeit Indian money, law enforcement agencies and other relevant organizations have been directed to maintain monitoring on both domestic and international borders.