Over 40 arrested in post-poll violence in Bengal: EC

As many as 46 people have been arrested by police in post-poll violence following the third phase of West Bengal assembly polls, the Election Commission said on Saturday.

"Commission is following up with chief electoral officer of West Bengal and director general of police each matter of post-poll violence. As a result of the follow-up, the police authorities have arrested accused people in post-poll violence cases in past two days," said an EC official.

Listing out the arrests, the official said on April 21, 11 cases were recorded and till now, 13 people arrested in the constituencies where polling was held in phase three.

On April 22, six incidents of post-poll violence took place in these constituencies in which till now, seven people have been arrested, whereas on April 22 in the entire state, a total of 29 specific cases were registered and 26 people have been arrested.

This campaign will be sustained in the coming period, the official said.

Voters in 167 of the state's total 294 assembly constituencies exercised their right to franchise on April 4 and 11, 17 and 21 in the first three phases.

Polling in the fourth, fifth and sixth phases will be held on April 25, 30 and May 5 for 49, 53 and 25 constituencies respectively.

--IANS

sgh/vd