Assembly Elections 2021 LIVE Updates 11-4-21

File image of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. PTI

Assembly Elections 2021 Latest Updates: West Bengal Prime Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday called the violence in Cooch Behar during the fourth phase of the Assembly elections on Saturday “genocide”.

Four people were killed in the Cooch Behar district when CISF personnel allegedly opened fire when they were attacked by locals who “tried to seize their rifles” during the fourth phase of voting on Saturday.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted on Sunday: “EC should change the name of MCC as Modi Code of Conduct! BJP can use its full power, but NOTHING in this world can stop me from being with my people and sharing their pain. They can restrict me from visiting my brothers and sisters in Cooch Behar for 3 days, but I’ll be there on the fourth day! ”

Saturday’s voting panel barred politicians from entering the Cooch Behar district for 72 hours to prevent any possible outbreak of law and order after four people were killed in the district when central forces allegedly opened fire when they were attacked by locals who “tried to snatch their rifles” during the fourth phase of voting.

Union Interior Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah will hold three tours, two town hall meetings, and a public meeting in various locations in West Bengal on Sunday, the party said in a tweet.

Invoking its constitutional powers, the Electoral Commission on Saturday established certain restrictions, including extending the “period of silence” from 48 hours to 72 hours, for the fifth phase of the elections in West Bengal after the violence in the Cooch Behar district.

It also banned politicians from the Cooch Behar district for the next 72 hours to prevent any possible outbreak of law and order.

The decision was made after four people were killed in the district when central forces allegedly opened fire when they were attacked by locals who “tried to seize their rifles” during the fourth phase of voting on Saturday.

“The Election Commission of India further orders that the period of silence for phase 5 (that is, for the elections scheduled for April 17) be extended to 72 hours, and no campaign will be allowed during the 72 hours prior to closing. of the elections in order to guarantee free, fair, and peaceful elections, “said an EC order.

A total of 45 seats will go to the polls in the fifth phase in West Bengal.

The period of silence, when public campaigns, including rallies, meetings and press conferences, cannot be held, is generally 48 hours.

The order also said that in Cooch Behar, which comprises nine assembly constituencies (CA numbers 1 to 9) where voting will end on Saturday, no political leader of any national, state, or other parties should be allowed. enter the geographic boundaries of the district. for the next 72 hours.

“This takes effect immediately,” the survey panel said.

The commission said it is issuing the order using its powers under article 324 of the Indian Constitution. He also cited some Supreme Court rulings to support his decision to use constitutional powers.

The order also cited a joint report from its two special observers Ajay Nayak and Vivek Dube.

The report said that recourse to open fire by CISF staff became “absolutely necessary” to save the lives of the voters lined up in the voting booth, those of other voting staff, and their own lives while voting. The mob had tried to seize their weapons. what’s more.

The order also said that the special observers had not received the reports from Cooch Behar’s district magistrate and police superintendent (SP) long after 5 p.m., although TV channels had been quoting the SP as saying since 3 p.m. that the CISF men opened fire. “purely” in self-defense.

The order said that the EC has been informed that the last rites of the four people killed in the shooting have not yet been completed and that some political leaders may visit the area “with the apparent purpose of condoning the bereaved families. that, however, has the potential to cause a public order problem of great proportions in this place, as well as in the adjoining places.

He also said that since the shooting occurred in a confrontation with the CISF, “the possibilities that the central forces deployed in this area could become or be the target of further serious provocations by groups of people cannot be ruled out.”