'Child injured, women lathi-charged': TMC MP Sagarika Ghose alleges violence by Central forces during Bengal polling

Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Sagarika Ghose has alleged incidents of violence involving Central forces during the second phase of polling in West Bengal, on Wednesday, raising concerns over the conduct of security personnel on election day. Her remarks come amid heightened political tensions as voting continues in key constituencies across the state.

Claims over actions by Central forces

In a post on social media platform X, Ghose said, “Unbelievable violence wreaked by @narendramodi and @AmitShah on Bengal's citizens. After lathi charging women, central forces have now hit and injured A CHILD. UNACCEPTABLE. "Singham" thokshahi cops must be hauled before the law."

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The statement highlights allegations of force being used against civilians, including women and a child, during the polling process. The reference to "Singham" cops points to criticism of aggressive policing methods by personnel deployed for election security.

Heightened security and scrutiny

Polling in West Bengal has been conducted under tight security arrangements, with Central forces deployed across sensitive areas to maintain law and order.

Teams from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) have been deployed across seven districts voting in the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections to conduct independent searches for explosives, officials from the Election Commission of India (ECI) said.

According to officials, NIA teams have been stationed in multiple sensitive zones, including Bhangar, Burdwan, Hooghly, Nadia, Baruipur, Kasba, Diamond Harbour, Bishnupur and areas under the Barrackpore Police Commissionerate.

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A senior ECI official said the teams have been tasked with conducting independent checks and can register fresh cases if required. There was no immediate response from the NIA's public relations office on the deployment.

Earlier, Sushmita Dev of the Trinamool Congress questioned the decision, stating that the agency typically handles national security and terrorism-related cases. "The ECI should explain what national security threat exists in West Bengal that requires the NIA," she said.

Phase 2 turnout crosses 61% by 1 pm

Meanwhile, voter turnout in Bengal's Phase 2 reached 61.11% by 1 pm. Purba Bardhaman led with 66.80%, followed by Hooghly at 64.57%. Turnout stood at 61.41% in Nadia, 60.68% in Howrah, 60.18% in Kolkata North, and 59.20% in North 24 Parganas. South 24 Parganas recorded 58.58%, while Kolkata South saw the lowest at 57.73% till 1 pm.