ECI Orders Crackdown on Bomb-Making in West Bengal Amid High Voter Turnout

The Election Commission of India has instructed West Bengal Police to arrest individuals involved in bomb-making within 24 hours. The directive, aimed at ensuring a peaceful election, follows the suspension of five officers in Diamond Harbour for misconduct. Voter turnout in Phase I reached 91.91%.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued an urgent directive to the West Bengal Police, urging them to launch a special operation targeting individuals involved in the production of explosives throughout the state.

All related threatening materials are to be confiscated within 24 hours, according to ECI officials. This comes as a stringent message was conveyed to Kolkata's Commissioner of Police, as well as all Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police, and other senior officers, warning that they would face unprecedented consequences should any explosives-related incidents occur in their jurisdictions.

The Commission emphasized accountability, stating that any officers found with such materials or associated threats in their area will not be exempt from repercussions.

The ECI has also mandated that cases involving bomb-making activities be escalated to the National Investigation Agency for thorough investigation and strict enforcement, all to guarantee a secure electoral environment.

This development follows the recent suspension of five police officers in the Diamond Harbour district. The officers face disciplinary action after allegations of misconduct and lack of impartiality during the 2026 Assembly elections.

The Commission has already suspended Sandip Garai, Additional SP, Diamond Harbour; Sajal Mondal, SDPO, Diamond Harbour; Mausam Chakraborty, Inspector-in-Charge; Ajay Bag, Inspector-in-Charge; and Subhechha Bag, Officer-in-Charge, all in the Diamond Harbour area, citing this misconduct.

Meanwhile, the first phase of polling for the Assembly elections ended on Thursday, with voter turnout reaching an impressive 91.91%, the ECI's latest figures reveal.

The remaining 142 constituencies in West Bengal are scheduled for polling on April 29, with vote counting set for May 4.