Direction on motorcycle gangs before or during panchayat polls

The Calcutta High Court today directed the West Bengal government to ensure that supporters of political parties are not allowed to ride around on motorcycles in groups before or during the panchayat elections which begin tomorrow.
Justice Sanjib Banerjee, hearing a submission by the State Election Commission that bike-borne gangs were riding around in different parts of the state despite being banned by it, directed the chief secretary and home secretary to ensure that this was not allowed.
The SEC has banned the use of more than one motorcycle by any political party or candidate either during campaigning or on poll days.

The SEC counsel submitted that several parties and candidates were flouting the ban.
The commission also told the court that in 329 blocks, force availability has not been conveyed to it as yet.
The court directed the state to ensure proper deployment and to provide the necessary information to the commission.