Bengal polls: Police arrest 1,543, including TMC councillor, ahead of second phase
· Scroll
Visit turconews.click for more information.
The West Bengal Police has arrested 1,543 persons, including a Trinamool Congress councillor in the state, ahead of the second phase of the Assembly elections, PTI quoted an unidentified official as saying on Monday.
The action was taken to prevent any attempt to disturb the poll atmosphere, the official added.
The first phase of polling was held on April 23. The second phase will be conducted on Wednesday and the votes will be counted on May 4.
The police and the administration are reporting to the Election Commission as the Model Code of Conduct is in force in the state.
Intensified search operations and checks were carried out between Sunday and Monday, The Times of India reported.
Naru Gopal Bhakat, the Trinamool Congress councillor from Ward 22 of the Bardhaman municipality in Purba Bardhaman district, was arrested on charges of intimidation and for allegedly being involved in an attack on a Bharatiya Janata Party leader’s home.
A complaint was also filed against him with the Election Commission, PTI reported.
However, Bhakat denied the charges.
Of the total, 479 arrests were made in Purba Bardhaman, 319 in North 24 Parganas, 246 in South 24 Parganas, 109 in North Kolkata, 49 in Hooghly, and 32 each in Nadia and Howrah, The Times of India reported.
The arrests come days after the Calcutta High Court on April...