ECI Accuses TMC Govt of 'Systematic Violence' Against Officials, Police Inaction

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) has accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal of a "systematic pattern of violence and threats" against election officials.
• ECI filed a counter in the Supreme Court, alleging numerous instances of violence, intimidation, and obstruction against officials during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
• Sujeet Kumar Mishra, Secretary, ECI, highlighted a "pervasive reluctance" among local police to register FIRs, often requiring direct intervention from the DEO.
• The ECI detailed incidents including the gherao of the Bengal CEO’s office for 28 hours and a cabinet minister's threat to "break the legs of Election Commission."
• The Commission criticized Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's "provocative" statements, which allegedly created an atmosphere of intimidation and led to observers withdrawing from SIR duties.