[Marxistindia] Letter to ECI on Tripura situation

[news from the cpi(m)]

February 10, 2023

 

Press Release

 

In a letter submitted to the Election Commission of India today, CPI(M)
Polit Bureau Member, Nilotpal Basu has raised concerns with regard to the
deployment of police forces of Gujarat and Assam in Tripura where assembly
elections are scheduled, replacing the Border Security Force. The Party has
demanded that only central para military forces should be deployed.

 

The Party has also drawn the attention of the ECI towards the chaotic
situation which emerged in conducting of the postal ballot. It has also
demanded the removal of Rahul Das, SDPO, Bishalgarh who is facing serious
allegations and has FIRs lodged against him.

 

The full text of the letter alongwith annexures is being released herewith.

 

 

(Muralidharan)

For CPI(M) Central Committee Office

 

***

 

Text of the letter of Shri Nilotpal Basu, member of Polit Bureau of the
CPI(M) submitted to the Election Commission of India

 

Dear Sir,

 

We were greatly reassured by the tone of urgency by the Election Commission
of India on the holding of a free and fair election for the Assembly in
Tripura in an atmosphere free of fear and terror. In our interaction with
the full commission on January 19, 2023, the sense of reassurance was
further confirmed. 

 

But now certain developments are causing concern. Firstly, we have been
given to understand that detachments of Assam police and the Gujarat police
have been deployed for maintaining law and order, in some cases replacing
the Border Security Force (BSF) units, whose conduct was inspiring the
confidence of the people. The deployment of the other state police forces is
unusual. More so, as this is not a general election; and implicitly
requiring far less security forces which should normally be required in
addition to Central security forces. The Assam Chief Minister is virtually
camping in Tripura and therefore, the appearance of Assam police causes
concern. Equally, the deployment of Gujarat police from the other corner of
the country to this tiny North Eastern state is bound to be perceived as an
extraneous factor for influencing the poll outcome. We, therefore, urge you
that the conduct of a free and fair poll is also seen as such and ensure
that only Central forces are deployed. 

 

We also draw your attention to the chaotic situation which emerged in
conducting of the postal ballot. The letter of the secretary of the Tripura
State Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) is attached
herewith which will provide you the precise details (Annexure 1). 

 

We are also drawing your attention to the deployment of Shri Rahul Das,
SDPO, Bishalgarh. He is charged with several serious allegations under
provisions of CrPC. This is irregular and in contravention of the convention
followed during the course of elections. We are hereby forwarding the letter
by the CPI(M) State Secretary (Annexure 2) and demand his removal from the
current responsibility. 

 

We hope that the Commission will address these issues with the urgency that
they warrant. This is all the more necessary in the light of the reassurance
given by the Commission.

 

Thanking you,

With regards,

 

Sd/-

(Nilotpal Basu)

Member, Polit Bureau, CPI(M)  

 

 

 

 

 

Annexure 1

 

Letter of the Secretary of the Tripura State Committee of CPI(M) submitted
to Chief Electoral Officer, Tripura on the chaotic condition in postal
ballot voting

 

Date: 9th February, 2023 

Dear Sir, 

 

             From most of the Sub-Divisions, it is reported that total
chaotic conditions are prevailing in the premises of EDC voting Counters. 

1.     Some of the polling staff being disgusted of long waiting are going
back without voting. 

2.     Many of the polling staff when approaches to the counter for voting
after waiting in queue for long hours, are informed that their Ballot has
not yet reached.  

3.     In some centres, voting is held up for long period for shortage of
ballot papers. 

4.     Many Micro-Observers who are staying at the place of their election
duty are asked to go back to their home Sub-Division instantly for voting. 

5.     In Sonamura Sub-Division and some other centers, undeletable ink is
not used on the finger who voted in EDC centre. 

6.     Earlier never in the state, voting centers for polling staff had
confronted such a chaotic circumstance . 

In am in doubt, there is an intentional mechanism working to deprive large
number of  polling staff of their right to vote in this election. 

I request you to ensure polling of each and every polling staff including
the Motor Workers of the vehicles hired by the Election Department, if
necessary with extension of the schedule of the EDC voting. 

 

 
Yours Sincerely,                                   

 

Sd/-

  Secretary, CPI(M)                             Tripura State  Committee

 

Copy to:  

1.                 Chief  Election Commissioner, Nirvachan Sadan, New Delhi


 

 

Annexure 2

 

Letter of the secretary of the Tripura State Committee of CPI(M) to Chief
Election Commissioner, Election Commission of India demanding removal of
Shri Rahul Das, SDPO, Bishalgarh PS

 

Date: 9th February, 2023 

Dear Sir, 

 

Earlier, on two occasions (first on 30th January and later on 5th February,
2023)  I raised objection against Sri Rahul Das, SDPO, Bishalgarh  and
demanded to his removal from the present post for his partisan role. Now he
is an accused person in FIR No. 15/2023, Bishalgarh  PS under the direction
of  SDJM, Bishalgarh  dated 4th February, 2023.  The sections of  Cr.Pc
under which he is accused are as follows: 

 

Section        307-Attempt to murder 

Section        147-Rioting 

Section        148-Rioting with deadly weapon

Section        149-Unlawful assembly

Section        134-Abetment in assault 

Section        109-Offers or accepts bribe as public servant

Section        184-Obstruction against sale of property

Section        120B-Party to criminal conspiracy. 

Section        435-intenstional arson  

Section        427-subsequent sentence to offender 

Section        125-Arms Act. Acquire, carry prohibited arms

Section        30F- Causing explosion of explosive substance. 

 

It is surprising that, an officer who is accused of so many serious criminal
sections is still continuing in his post and carrying on election duty also.


  

Firstly, Being a highest authority of the Sub-Divisional police
administration, this FIR cannot be investigated by any officer under the
supervision of Sri Das, who himself is the accused. 

 

Secondly, as the FIR was lodged under the direction of the Court, it should
investigated by an independent Higher Police official only after removing
Sri Das from this post. 

 

 
Yours Sincerely,     

Sd/-

  Secretary, CPI(M) 

                                           Tripura State  Committee

 

Copy to: 1. CEO, Tripura , Agartala,         2. DGP, Tripura , Agartala

 

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