Suvendu Adhikari urges ECI to look into arms stockpiling in Bengal ahead of 2026 polls

Kolkata, Sep 25 (IANS) Leader of the opposition in the West Bengal assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, on Thursday, requested the Election Commission of India to take urgent cognisance of reported events of arms stockpiling in different pockets of West Bengal amid crucial assembly elections in the state scheduled next year.

Adhikari also requested the commission to use its own resources to check these pre-election arms stockpiling events instead of depending on the state administration or the state police for the same.

“The people of Bengal deserve a free, fair, and fearless election, not a reign of terror orchestrated by CM Mamata’s goons. And if the ECI is relying on the West Bengal's Administration and Police to deliver it, then May God Save Democracy,” the leader of the opposition said.

In support of his arguments, Adhikari had highlighted a recent viral video where a local Trinamool Congress strongman in Birbhum district of West Bengal, Dolon Sheikh, reportedly having criminal antecedents like involvement in sand smuggling, was seen distributing cartridges in broad daylight, a report on which was filed by IANS on September 23.

“This is no less than a sinister plot to arm goons to intimidate voters ahead of elections. Illegal arms are openly flaunted under the nose of complicit Police? Bolpur Police have seen this now viral video, but don't act. Why? Because Mamata Police are hand-in-glove with TMC’s criminals,” the leader of the opposition added.

Suvendu Adhikari pointed out that when (Chief Minister) Mamata Banerjee came to power in West Bengal in 2011, she promised to rid our state of illegal arms.

“But what do we see today? A flourishing mafia involving illegal manufacturing & trading of crude bombs, guns, bullets, kattas, gelatine sticks, and other explosives and ammunition thriving under her patronage,” the leader of the opposition added.

--IANS

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