West Bengal elections 2016: Election Commission arrests 26 in cases of post-poll violence

Acting on strict instructions given by the Election Commission, police have arrested many persons for their alleged involvement in post poll violence in West Bengal.

On April 21, third phase of election, 11 cases were recorded and till now 13 persons have been arrested in constituencies that went to polls that day, the poll panel said on Saturday. "On April 22, six incidents of post poll violence took place in third phase constituencies in which till now seven persons have been arrested," the EC said. In the entire state on Friday, a total 29 specific cases were registered and 26 persons have been arrested, it added. 

"Commission is following up with the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal and Director General of Police each incident of post poll violence. As a result of the follow-up the police authorities have arrested accused persons in post poll violence cases in the past two days," the EC said. This action will be sustained in the coming period, it said.

The CPI-M has claimed that four its workers were killed in third phase violence. The body of a 35-year-old CPI(M) supporter, identified as Tahidur Mondal, was found about 500 m away from a polling booth at Shibapara area of Domkal Assembly seat in Murshidabad before voting began in the third phase.