Kolkata, March 19 – The Election Commission of India (ECI) has sought a fresh report from the Kolkata Police regarding the violence that erupted on the streets of Girish Park in North Kolkata, in front of the residence of a member of the West Bengal cabinet, following clashes between ruling Trinamool Congress and opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists on the afternoon of March 14.
The violence coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the city to address a large rally of his party at Brigade Parade Ground in Central Kolkata on that day.
An insider from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal, said that in its earlier report to the Commission, the Kolkata Police had avoided answering the main question from the ECI – why the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), which were deployed in the city at that time, were not called upon to control the situation at Girish Park, in front of the residence of West Bengal's Minister for Women and Child Development and Social Welfare, Dr. Sashi Panja.
“The Commission has strongly objected to the absence of this crucial report from the Kolkata Police and has therefore asked the city police to submit a fresh report to the ECI at the earliest, answering this specific query,” the insider from the CEO's office said.
A total of nine arrests have been made so far in connection with the clashes at Girish Park on March 14.
The BJP has, however, complained that the city police were selectively targeting their party workers, while the reality was that the clashes broke out after the ruling party activists attacked a bus carrying BJP supporters going to Brigade Parade Ground to attend the Prime Minister's rally.
On the other hand, Trinamool Congress supporters have alleged that stones were allegedly thrown at the residence of Panja in Girish Park, North Kolkata.
Trinamool workers claimed that BJP activists committed these acts while en route to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally at the Brigade Parade Ground.
The state minister alleged that she was also attacked during the incident. The BJP has issued a counter-allegation, claiming that Trinamool workers threw bricks at their activists as they were marching through Girish Park.