EC to step up security in case of violence in Bengal

Kolkata, May 11 (IANS) With incidents of violence in several places a day ahead of the May 7 polls in West Bengal, the Election Commission's special observer for the state Sunday said security will be beefed up Monday in case of recurring incidents in certain Lok Sabha constituencies.

As many as 17 constituencies - including two in Kolkata - will go to the hustings Monday. Altogether 188 candidates are in the fray in the final leg of the polls spanning West Bengal's eight districts.

"If the commission observes recurring pattern of violence in some constituencies, then added measures like heightened security, intense patrolling and surveillance will be taken," special observer Sudhir Kumar Rakesh told reporters here.

He also stressed that in instances of major violence, senior police officers will camp and monitor the situation in the concerned constituencies.

In addition, special security measures have been deployed in the Kolkata (North) constituency as, according to Rakesh, "there is significant excitement there".

Congress and CPI-M leaders were Sunday attacked allegedly by Trinamool Congress workers in the state ahead of Monday polls.

The Trinamool rubbished the allegations, saying it was the opposition's "malicious propaganda".

In Murshidabad district, Trinamool candidate and noted singer Indranil Sen was injured when he was assaulted allegedly by Congress activists.

The Trinamool lodged a complaint with the Election Commission about the incident.