Kolkata (Gurpreet Singh): The Election Commission of India (ECI) took a stern view of the security situation in poll-bound West Bengal on Sunday, ordering the state police to launch an immediate special drive to arrest bomb makers. The directive follows the recovery of approximately 100 live bombs from the residence of a Trinamool Congress (TMC) worker in Bhangar, located in the South 24 Parganas district. In a significant escalation of oversight, the poll body announced that all such cases involving explosives will now be investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to ensure a thorough probe into potential terror links and electoral interference.
The recovery occurred at the house of TMC worker Rafikul Islam, where footage of bomb disposal squads defusing rows of live explosives went viral, sparking widespread concern over voter safety. Responding to the incident, the ECI issued a direct warning to the Kolkata Police Commissioner, all Superintendents of Police, and junior-level officers. The Commission cautioned officials of “unprecedented consequences” if further explosives are discovered or if threatening tactics are used against citizens within their respective jurisdictions. Police departments across the state have been given a strict 24-hour deadline to seize all such threatening materials and “cleansing” their areas of illegal arms.
As per the latest updates, the West Bengal Police has already initiated the statewide drive to nab individuals involved in the manufacture and distribution of explosives. The ECI’s intervention underscores a zero-tolerance policy toward violence in the lead-up to the elections, aiming to prevent the use of “crude bombs,” which have historically been a tool for political intimidation in the region. Sources within the Commission stated that the accountability for any future lapses would rest solely with the local police personnel in charge of the area, signaling a shift toward individual officer liability during the polling season.
