18th May 2019 BJP/ECC/2019/130
The Chief Election Commissioner & Election Commissioners,
Election Commission of India,
Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road
New Delhi – 110001
Subject: WEST BENGAL – Violence, intimidation and forceful migration of voters in Satgachia (Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha Constituency) South Kolkata prior to 7th Phase Polls on 19.05.2019.
Sirs,
This is to bring to your attention that in several villages in Satgachia AC which is part of the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha Constituency, members of a particular community have been targeted and intimidated to leave their homes as well as the constituency so as to deter them from voting during the seventh phase of polls. TMC goons have repeatedly vandalized homes and shops of Hindu voters. The local administration, having hand in gloves, has obviously failed miserably to control the violence and this outright intimidation.
Videos have been shared online where it is clearly seen that a mass exodus of voters is seen fleeing the village with their families and belongings in tow. The links to the videos are https://twitter.com/oldhandhyd/status/1128692082321702912, https://twitter.com/oldhandhyd/status/1128196835254853634, https://twitter.com/parthabatabyal/status/1128280554959282176 along with a CD containing these videos annexed and marked as Annexures 1, 2 and 3.
Media has also reported on these incidents where the voters are heard saying that bombs were hurled into their homes to create fear and panic. The link to the media report along with the video marked Annexure 4 is available online at https://www.mynation.com/amp/video/india-news/bengal-on-communal-edge-as-200-ransack-burn-down-properties-of-hindus-prg4hb.
The violence started on May 11th as reported by “Times Now” and was pre-planned as per a sinister design. Homes of Hindus were specifically targeted. The Times Now report is available online at https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/west-bengal-fresh-violence-against-majority-community-houses-vandalised-tmc-hand-alleged-watch/418064 and video marked Annexure 5. It is believed that one Saukat Mollah of Jibantala, a TMC leader is leading these attacks. The complaint regarding this has already been filed with the CEO, West Bengal however, no action at all has been taken in this regard.
As the Commission is well aware of the fact that during the second phase of polls held on 18.4.19 in Raiganj Lok Sabha seat, Hindu voters were stopped from entering polling booths and this was covered by a leading English media house. We had also submitted a representation on the same numbered BJP/ECC/2019/45 dated 19.04.2019 expressing our concerns on the same.
We seek your immediate intervention in this matter, and request that directions be issued to haul up the history sheeters and known criminals of the area and take them into preventive custody. It is further requested that this Commission must ensure the security of the voters’ of the constituency as well as they cast their votes as TMC is well known to engage in such violent means during the polls.
We are also getting information that in South Kolkata, TMC goons and leaders are going to voters’ homes and intimidating them not to come out to vote tomorrow. It is shocking that such outright intimidation can be carried out even in a State capital as Kolkata. We request you to look into this matter as well and seek a report from the local administration immediately.
All the Commission’s good measures will come to naught if such threats, violence and intimidation by the TMC cadre under directions of the TMC Chairperson and Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee is allowed to continue.
Thanking you,
Yours Sincerely
Neeraj, Member
Election Commission Committee
Enclosed:
Enclosure 1: Annexure 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 containing videos are enclosed in the CD.
Enclosure 2: Annexure 6 Newspaper Report of Violence in Satgachia AC.
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