Prohibitory orders, tight security at CEO office amid protests over voter rolls
Telegraph | 2 April 2026
Kolkata Police imposed prohibitory orders around the new office of the chief electoral officer on Strand Road on Wednesday to restrict the movement and assembly of people around the premises.
Ajay Nand, the city police commissioner, passed an order on Wednesday that imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the BNSS, 2023, around 13 Strand Road, Fairlie Place, BBD Bag.
The CEO's office was in the Balmer Lawrie Building at 21 Netaji Subhas Road for more than 20 years.
On March 26, the office of the state's chief electoral officer was shifted to Shipping House on Stand Road.
The change in police bandobast came a day after day-long clashes between Trinamool Congress and BJP supporters were reported outside the office at the new address, with protests over the en masse submission of Form 6 for inclusion of new names in the electoral rolls.
According to the order issued by the police commissioner: “Information has been received from credible sources that violent demonstrations are likely to take place, which may result in large-scale disturbance of public tranquillity and breach of peace within the vicinity of the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal, located at 13, Strand Road, Fairlie Place, BBD Bag, Kolkata - 700001.”
A senior officer said that the prohibitory orders were imposed to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.
Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, empowers an executive magistrate to issue prohibitory orders similar to the former Section 144 of the CrPC to prevent nuisance, danger to human life, safety or public disorder.
Such prohibitory orders can be extended up to six months, sources said.
Multiple layers of police barricades have been set up around the office.