CAPF Jawans Spotted Playing Carrom Inside TMC Office In Siliguri; ECI Suspends Three

In a major development ahead of elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has suspended three Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel after a video went viral on social media. The video showed them inside a Trinamool Congress (TMC) party office in Siliguri, West Bengal.

The incident has raised questions about neutrality and conduct of security forces during election duty.

What the Viral Video Shows

The video, which surfaced online on March 28, shows two CAPF personnel playing carrom with individuals inside the TMC office. Another personnel is seen sitting nearby and watching the game.

The visuals quickly spread across social media, drawing criticism from political leaders and the public. Many questioned whether such behaviour was appropriate during election deployment.

Election Commission Takes Action

Responding to the controversy, the Election Commission acted swiftly. On March 29, it suspended all three personnel involved in the incident.

The ECI has also ordered a departmental inquiry to investigate the matter further. Officials stated that strict action would be taken if any violation of rules is confirmed.

The move signals the Commission's focus on maintaining discipline and neutrality among forces deployed for election duties.

Political Reactions to the Incident

The incident has triggered reactions from both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC).

BJP candidate from Siliguri, Jagannath Chatterjee, raised concerns over the deployment of central forces. He questioned how such an incident could occur and whether local authorities had any involvement. He demanded strict action if any wrongdoing is found.

On the other hand, TMC leader Malay Mukherjee downplayed the issue. He stated that interacting casually with party workers should not be seen as a serious offence and suggested that the personnel were simply engaging in a normal conversation.

Previous Action by Election Commission

This is not the first time the Election Commission has taken action against CAPF personnel in West Bengal. Earlier, seven personnel were removed from election duty after they attended an Iftar gathering in Murshidabad district.

These incidents highlight the strict guidelines in place for security forces during elections, where maintaining political neutrality is considered essential.

Focus on Free and Fair Elections

The Election Commission's latest action reflects its commitment to ensuring free and fair elections. Security personnel deployed during polls are expected to remain neutral and avoid any association with political parties.

As elections approach, authorities are likely to remain vigilant and take strict steps against any behaviour that could raise doubts about the fairness of the electoral process.