Police arrest 400, file 200 FIRs as post-poll violence rocks Bengal

Police have arrested more than 400 people and registered over 200 FIRs as post-poll violence spread across several parts of West Bengal following the declaration of election results on May 4. The unrest has left at least two people dead and several others injured, including five police and CAPF personnel who came under gunfire in Sandeshkhali.

Acting Director General of Police Siddh Nath Gupta said 433 people had been arrested so far, while more than 1,100 others were detained as a preventive measure over the last 48 hours.

“Since May 4, after the announcement of results, there have been incidents of violence, including threats, assaults and intimidation. We have registered more than 200 FIRs and arrested 433 people so far,” Gupta said, adding that reports of fresh violence continued to emerge through Wednesday morning.

The police also confirmed two deaths allegedly linked to post-poll violence — one in Nanoor and another in New Town. Gupta said arrests had already been made in both murder cases and investigations were underway.

Appealing for calm, the Acting DGP urged people not to take the law into their own hands.

“There might be grievances against some persons. These grievances may be genuine or otherwise, but complaints must be lodged through proper legal channels. Peace and calm have to be maintained,” he said.

Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Kumar Nand warned of strict action against anyone attempting to create fear or disturb law and order in the city. He said a special drive was underway to identify and arrest troublemakers.

According to Nand, 80 people have been arrested within Kolkata Police jurisdiction so far. Of them, 65 were arrested in specific cases, while 15 were detained preventively.

“Anyone trying to create an atmosphere of threat or terror will face strict action. No one should indulge in violence or activities that disrupt law and order,” he said.

Nand added that although isolated incidents had occurred, the overall situation in Kolkata remained “more or less peaceful”. Police have also recovered several arms during raids conducted in different areas.

The Kolkata Police chief further said bulldozers or JCB vehicles — which became politically symbolic during the election campaign — would not be allowed in victory processions. He warned that vehicle owners renting out bulldozers for rallies would face follow-up action.

The violence took a serious turn in Sandeshkhali’s Najat area in North 24 Parganas district, where police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel came under gunfire while attempting to prevent a communal clash.

Gupta said the officer-in-charge of Nazat police station, along with CAPF personnel, rushed to the village after receiving information that one group was preparing to attack another community.

“As soon as they reached the spot and were about to get down from the vehicle, bullets were fired at them,” Gupta said.

Five personnel, including two police officers, two CAPF jawans and a woman constable, were injured in the attack. One officer sustained a bullet injury to his leg. Police later conducted overnight raids and arrested four people, while search operations are continuing.

In Murshidabad’s Jiaganj area, unidentified miscreants vandalised a statue of Lenin, triggering protests by CPI(M) workers. Police said five people had been identified and arrested in connection with the incident.

The CPI(M), in a statement posted on X, said party workers had immediately filed a complaint and organised a demonstration. The party also announced that the damaged statue would be rebuilt on May 8.

Inspector General of Police (Barasat) Amit P Javalgi said several houses were ransacked in one village in the district on Tuesday. He confirmed that one person suffered a gunshot injury to the leg, while CAPF jawans and a woman constable sustained minor injuries during clashes.

“Bombs have also been recovered from certain areas and seized. Those involved are being identified and arrested,” he said.

The Acting DGP said around 500 CAPF companies were currently deployed across West Bengal for maintaining law and order, apart from another 200 companies guarding strongrooms where Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are stored.

At least four people had died on Wednesday in incidents allegedly linked to post-poll violence. Two BJP workers were killed in New Town in North 24 Parganas and Udaynarayanpur in Howrah, while the Trinamool Congress claimed two of its supporters were killed in Kolkata’s Beleghata and Birbhum’s Nanoor.

Amid growing allegations over political violence, the BJP on Wednesday distanced itself from some individuals allegedly involved in the clashes.

“You cannot declare yourself a BJP member on your own. Unless the party formally accepts you, you cannot claim to be a BJP member,” the party said.

BJP MLA Saumitra Khan claimed that some individuals who had recently switched from the Trinamool Congress to the BJP were behind the violence in an attempt to prove loyalty to their new party.

“Our leadership has instructed the police to act against these miscreants in the strictest way,” Khan said.