The interim order was passed by the division bench of Justice Harish Tandon and Justice Hirnmay Bhattacharyya, that was hearing separate petitions filed by Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly Suvendu Adhikari and advocate Priyanka Tibrewal, seeking the court’s intervention in preventing post-poll violence events in the state.
“The coordinate Bench directed both the State Police and the Central forces to cooperate with each other to ensure the safety and security of the citizens to which we also feel is the order of the day. Taking a serious view on the allegations as disclosed in the aforesaid Public Interest Litigations and the role of the Police to be ascertained on the basis of the report to be filed on the day as directed above, we feel that the Central Forces deployed in the State as on this date should continue till Friday week i.e. 21.06.2024,” read the court order.
The order clearly underlined the fact that the central forces were deployed for ensuring fair elections in the state. “The aforesaid direction is passed keeping in view that the Central forces were deployed for ensuring fair and transparent election to be conducted and having not been completely withdrawn as of now,” it said.
Amid the sporadic incidents of election-related violence in the state, the Election Commission, earlier this month had decided to extend the deployment of 400 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) till June 19. An official at the Chief Electoral Office in Kolkata said, “The CAPF will be deployed primarily in areas and districts that are sensitive in terms of violence to prevent any untoward incident.”
Meanwhile, the division bench also directed the state government to submit a “comprehensive report” to the High Court by June 14, over the steps and actions taken by the administration to prevent post-poll violence.
The court will hear the matter next on June 18.
Welcoming the HC order, Adhikari slammed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the ruling Trinamool Congress. “The drubbing of Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Congress continues. The attempt of the ruling party to unleash a reign of terror suffers a severe blow as the Hon’ble High Court at Calcutta orders deployment of Central Armed Paramilitary Forces till at least 21st June, 2024 to put a curb on the evil plans of the TMC to perpetrate post poll violence upon the karyakartas of the Bharatiya Janata Party,” the senior BJP leader posted on X.
“The ruling dispensation has been cautioned against continuation of such post-poll violence which is being done at the behest of the Trinamooli goons since the declaration of the results. Truth and the voice of Bengal wins yet again. The next date is fixed on the 18th of June, 2024 when the Hon’ble Court will once again consider the issue pertaining to retention of CAPF beyond 21st June, 2024,” Adhikari further said.