File photo KOLKATA: Police locked down neighbourhoods within a 200-metre radius of all seven designated EVM strongrooms in the city Friday after Trinamool Congress’s allegations of vote tampering triggered overnight confrontations with BJP at two locations.Prohibitory orders issued by police commissioner Ajay Nand under Section 163 of BNSS bars assembly of five or more people, processions and demonstrations anywhere near the strongrooms. The restrictions will remain in effect until the end of vote-counting on May 4.CM Mamata Banerjee’s three-hour vigil at the Sakhawat Memorial High School strongroom in south Kolkata’s Bhowanipore late Thursday had drawn hordes of BJP protesters to Lord Sinha Road, prompting security personnel to forcibly remove them around midnight.The second flashpoint was Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in central Kolkata, where central armed police forces had to drag Trinamool and BJP workers away from each other to prevent a full-blown clash. Joint commissioner of police (traffic) Rupesh Kumar said additional forces had since been deployed at both trouble spots under the supervision of an additional commissioner and a deputy commissioner of police.All surrounding roads were sealed, guardrails installed and access restricted to personnel carrying EC-issued QR-coded IDs. Lord Sinha Road remains entirely shut to civilians.EC: No attempt to disruptpeace will go unpunishedElection Commission issued a statement citing Calcutta HC’s order to the civil and police administration to strictly deal with unlawful activities. “No attempt to disrupt peace will go unpunished,” it said.Statewide, 700 companies of central forces have been deployed for “stability and unrest prevention”, EC said. All counting centres have three layers of security, supplemented by special patrolling in vulnerable zones.Prohibitory orders have also been clamped around counting centres at Hastings House complex, APC Polytechnic College, St Thomas Boys’ High School, Ballygunge Govt High School and David Hare Training College in Kolkata.After inspecting a counting centre in Purulia, CEO Manoj Agarwal said the security protocol in place for counting day would prove “sufficient” to ensure the electoral exercise is hitch-free.EC has set up a helpline (18003450008) for complaints, assuring confidentiality. Grievances, if any, can also be emailed to wbfreeandfairpolls@gmail.com.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosFuel Prices May Go Up Soon As Oil Firms Face Losses Amid Global Crude SpikeNine Dead As Tourist Boat Capsizes In Jabalpur, Survivors Allege Major Safety LapsesJPMorgan Executive Sued Over Sexual Abuse, Coercion And Racial Harassment Allegations In New YorkJabalpur Boat Tragedy: Mother Found Clutching Child After Bargi Dam Capsize, 9 DeadIndia Launches First Barrier-Less Toll System On NH-48: How MLFF Will Change Highway TravelTamil Nadu Poll Tension: Vijay’s TVK Office Set On Fire, Security Concerns RiseRahul Gandhi Flags Fuel Price Surge After ₹993 LPG Hike, Warns Petrol-Diesel Could Be NextPunjab Assembly Chaos | CM Bhagwant Mann Allegedly ‘Intoxicated’, Opposition Demands Alcohol TestPakistan admits fuel vulnerability amid global oil shock; compares energy security with IndiaCommercial LPG Surges Past ₹3000, Hotels Warn Of Price Hike Impact | Watch123PhotostoriesHow to make South Indian Tamarind Rice for summer lunchMaharashtra Day 2026: Chef Sanjeev Kapoor honours the culinary heritage of the stateBest time to do yoga: Morning vs evening; What works better for your body?How Raghav Chadha’s mango shake differs from a regular mango shake; details insideRaw mango vs ripe mango: Which is a safer, smarter choice for people living with diabetes?From Daffodils to Castor beans: 5 Plants that can be deadly for your pet dogSons vs daughters: 5 ways parents treat them differently without realising and the impact it leavesDo Mangoes cause body heat? What happens when you eat too many Mangoes, doctor explains6 simple tips to keep your pet safe during extreme heatwaveFeeling anxious or low? These common vitamin deficiencies could be the hidden reason123Hot PicksExit Poll Result 2026Bengal Election 2026Bengal ElectionPM ModiAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingStock Market Holiday TodayBank Holiday MayVande Bharat expressLPG cylinder price hikeMumbai missing linkPetrol, Diesel, LPG priceCBSE Class 12th ResultNEET 2026: Exam-day guideBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap
KOLKATA: Police locked down neighbourhoods within a 200-metre radius of all seven designated EVM strongrooms in the city Friday after Trinamool Congress’s allegations of vote tampering triggered overnight confrontations with BJP at two locations.Prohibitory orders issued by police commissioner Ajay Nand under Section 163 of BNSS bars assembly of five or more people, processions and demonstrations anywhere near the strongrooms. The restrictions will remain in effect until the end of vote-counting on May 4.CM Mamata Banerjee’s three-hour vigil at the Sakhawat Memorial High School strongroom in south Kolkata’s Bhowanipore late Thursday had drawn hordes of BJP protesters to Lord Sinha Road, prompting security personnel to forcibly remove them around midnight.The second flashpoint was Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in central Kolkata, where central armed police forces had to drag Trinamool and BJP workers away from each other to prevent a full-blown clash. Joint commissioner of police (traffic) Rupesh Kumar said additional forces had since been deployed at both trouble spots under the supervision of an additional commissioner and a deputy commissioner of police.All surrounding roads were sealed, guardrails installed and access restricted to personnel carrying EC-issued QR-coded IDs. Lord Sinha Road remains entirely shut to civilians.
EC: No attempt to disruptpeace will go unpunished
Election Commission issued a statement citing Calcutta HC’s order to the civil and police administration to strictly deal with unlawful activities. “No attempt to disrupt peace will go unpunished,” it said.Statewide, 700 companies of central forces have been deployed for “stability and unrest prevention”, EC said. All counting centres have three layers of security, supplemented by special patrolling in vulnerable zones.Prohibitory orders have also been clamped around counting centres at Hastings House complex, APC Polytechnic College, St Thomas Boys’ High School, Ballygunge Govt High School and David Hare Training College in Kolkata.After inspecting a counting centre in Purulia, CEO Manoj Agarwal said the security protocol in place for counting day would prove “sufficient” to ensure the electoral exercise is hitch-free.EC has set up a helpline (18003450008) for complaints, assuring confidentiality. Grievances, if any, can also be emailed to wbfreeandfairpolls@gmail.com.
