TMC demands ban on Dilip Ghosh's campaign over his statement on Cooch Behar violence

TMC said that instead of condemning the acts of violence of CRPF in the brutal cold-blooded killing of the four innocent people, Dilip Ghosh was actively seen condoning the acts and encouraging a similar spell of violence in the ongoing elections in West Bengal.

Kolkata: The Trinamool Congress on Sunday demanded a ban on Bharatiya Janata Party chief Dilip Ghosh's political campaign in the state for the ongoing assembly elections over his comment on the four people who were shot dead by security personnel after the violent incident in Cooch Behar district.

Letter

In a complaint lodged with the Election Commission, TMC said that Ghosh justified such 'murder' and threatened Bengal and its people of more such 'murders' in the following words: 'ar jodi barabakri kore Sitalkuchi dekheche ki hoche, jaegae jaegae Sitalkuchi hobe (people have seen what happened at Sitalkuchi, if anyone steps its boundary, the incident of Sitalkuchi will be repeated again and again).

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"In the circumstances, we call upon you, to forthwith: First, initiate appropriate strict legal action, including criminal proceedings, against Dilip Ghosh for his inflammatory and inciting statement and openly threatening the electorate. Secondly, restrain Dilip Ghosh for campaigning for remaining phases," it said.

Violence erupted at a polling booth in Cooch Behar during the fourth round of polling. The ruling TMC alleged that Central forces opened fire twice at polling booths in Cooch Behar where people are casting their votes, killing four party workers.

Official sources in Cooch Behar confirmed the death of four people in the district.

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Following the incident, the EC ordered the adjourning of the poll in PS 126 of Sitalkurchi AC, Cooch Behar based on an interim report from Special Observers. The EC will seek a detailed report from them and the Chief Election Officer by 5 pm on Saturday.

Since the incident, the Election Commission has barred the entry of any political leader in the Cooch Behar district for the next 72 hours.

Polling for the first four phases has been concluded in West Bengal. The fifth and sixth phases of the ongoing elections will take place on April 17 and April 22. The counting of votes will take place on May 2.

(with Agency inputs)

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