Kolkata Imposes Curbs Near Counting Centres Amid Poll Tensions
Police impose prohibitory orders in seven zones after late-night election counting drama
- Kolkata Police bans public gatherings in key counting zones
- Restrictions imposed after TMC-BJP confrontation
- Election officials dismiss Trinamool’s suspicious activity claims
- Security tightened ahead of Bengal vote counting
GG News Bureau
Kolkata, 1st May: Kolkata Police has imposed prohibitory orders banning gatherings in seven sensitive areas linked to Assembly election counting following political tensions and protests involving the Trinamool Congress and BJP.
The move comes after late-night confrontations outside multiple counting centres, including Kolkata’s Netaji Indoor Stadium, where Trinamool leaders alleged suspicious activities around strong rooms.
The restricted zones include major counting-related locations such as Sahid Kshudiram Bose Road, Jadavpur, Diamond Harbour Road and Beltala Road.
West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal firmly rejected the allegations, stating that all strong rooms housing Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were securely sealed in the presence of candidates, election agents and observers.
He clarified that activities involving postal ballot segregation, which triggered concerns, were legitimate election procedures conducted under security protocols.
According to officials, power restrictions inside strong rooms required some work to continue under torchlight, which was misinterpreted as irregularity by protesting leaders.
Following official clarifications, Trinamool leaders eventually withdrew their protests.
The heightened security reflects the volatile political environment surrounding one of West Bengal’s most fiercely contested elections in recent years.
Authorities remain on high alert to prevent unrest during the counting process.
