Lok Sabha Elections: Model Code Of Conduct Officials Manhandled In Kolkata, 5 Arrested

An MCC team was manhandled, assaulted, and intimidated while removing defacement by ECI's mandate in Kolkata.

File Photo: worker paints over a political poster after the Model Code of Conduct was enforced following the announcement of the schedule of Lok Sabha elections. (Image used for representational purposes).

Source : Getty Images

The Kolkata police arrested five people for assaulting a Model Code of Conduct (MCC) team in the city. According to reports, the MCC team, dispatched from the District Election Office in Kolkata South, was engaged in removing defacement from public places along Maharaja Tagore Road around 1:45 pm on Friday, adhering to the directives of the Election Commission. However, they were subjected to an assault by unidentified miscreants during their operation.

#WATCH | DEO South's MCC team was manhandled, assaulted & intimidated while removing defacement by ECI's mandate. Case registered at Lakes Ps and 5 persons arrested: Dr. Bhola Nath Pandey, IPS, DCP South East Division, Kolkata

(Video source: Police) pic.twitter.com/Mrh0pDKSuQ

— ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2024

As per a report by India Today, the police took swift action, apprehending the five individuals allegedly responsible for the assault on the MCC team. The arrests were made following a formal complaint lodged at the Lake Police Station in Kolkata, the report had said. 

In response to the arrests, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleged that the Kolkata Police had detained their party workers. Amit Malviya, the BJP's IT cell chief, expressed discontent through a post on social media platform X, stating, "Reminder: as long as @KolkataPolice dons uniform, they must focus on serving the people of Kolkata and not behave like doormat of Mamata Banerjee. The Police had no business entering the BJP Kolkata Dakshin LS office and arresting our workers under frivolous charges."

He further warned of potential legal ramifications if the police exceeded their jurisdiction, citing a recent legal confrontation between BJP and West Bengal Police in the Sandeshkhali incident.

Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of Opposition in West Bengal, also raised concerns, alleging an attack on BJP party workers at the Dhakuria district office by law enforcement officials.

In response to these allegations, Deputy Commissioner of Police of Southeast division Bhola Nath Pandey clarified in a social media post on X, stating, "MCC team of DEO South at Maharaja Tagore Road was removing defacement from public place as per ECI’s mandate when they were manhandled, assaulted and intimidated." He reiterated that the arrests were made based on complaints lodged by the MCC officials.