West Bengal police arrested over 400 individuals and detained 1,100 others following a surge of violence across the state after the election results.
Acting Director General of Police Siddh Nath Gupta confirmed that authorities have registered more than 200 FIRs in the last 48 hours to curb the unrest.
He said, “Since 4 May, after the announcement of results, there have been incidents of violence, including threats, assaults, and intimidation. We have registered more than 200 FIRs and arrested 433 people so far. We have detained more than 1,100 people under preventive measures.”
Acting DGP reported two specific murders in Nanoor and New Town, confirming that suspects are already in custody. In Sandeshkhali’s Najat area, an Officer-in-Charge and four others sustained injuries when a team came under bullet fire while attempting to prevent a communal clash, reports Indian Express.
Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Kumar Nand reported 80 arrests within his jurisdiction. He also prohibited the use of bulldozers in victory processions. “Anyone trying to create an environment of threat or terror will be acted against strictly… No one should indulge in any kind of violence or acts that disturb the law and order,” he warned.
In Murshidabad, police arrested five people for vandalising a Lenin statue. Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (Barasat) Amit P Javalgi confirmed that officers seized bombs and arrested four individuals after houses were ransacked in a local village.
The state has deployed 700 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to maintain order and guard EVM strongrooms.
Addressing the unrest, BJP MLA Saumitra Khan blamed defectors for the friction, stating, “Some people who were in the TMC in the morning, crossed over to the BJP by the evening, and to prove their loyalty to the BJP, they started doing all this violence.”
