Why Were CRPF Jawans Dragging Men Outside A Poll Booth In Howrah? Watch

The second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections began with tension in Belur, located in Howrah district. Reports of unrest came in even before voting could properly begin.

At the centre of the issue was a polling station set up at Sohanlal Deoralia Girls' School, where technical problems with voting machines created confusion and delays.

EVM Malfunction Delays Voting

According to reports, Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) at both booths in the school were not working properly. Because of this, the start of voting was delayed, leaving many voters waiting outside for a long time.

The delay caused frustration among people who had come early to cast their votes. Polling staff were also under pressure as they tried to fix the issue and begin the process smoothly.

Agents Removed from Booth, Situation Escalates

During the delay, a dispute reportedly broke out inside the booth between a Trinamool Congress (TMC) agent and an agent of an independent candidate.

Central security forces on duty, including CRPF jawans, intervened and removed both agents from inside the polling station. Officials later said the action was taken because the two were arguing and disturbing the polling process.

However, the situation escalated outside the booth. The two agents protested by lying down near the school gate. Security personnel then dragged them away, and reports suggest that a lathicharge was also carried out to control the situation.

Voters Wait in Long Queues Despite Rain

At the time of the incident, more than a hundred voters were standing in line, waiting for voting to begin. Despite the delay and growing tension, most people chose to stay and wait for their turn.

Even when it started raining, voters did not leave the queue. This showed their strong determination to participate in the democratic process.

Concerns and Frustration Among Voters

While many voters remained patient, some expressed concern over the delay. A few people in the queue said they were worried that the late start could lead to unfair practices inside the booth.

Others were clearly frustrated with the long waiting time but continued to stand in line, hoping that voting would begin soon.

Security and Election Management Under Scrutiny

The incident has raised questions about preparedness during polling, especially regarding technical arrangements and crowd management. EVM issues and clashes at polling stations can affect voter confidence if not handled quickly and transparently.

Election authorities are expected to review the situation and ensure that such disruptions are minimized in the remaining phases.

The events in Belur highlight how small issues like machine failure can quickly lead to tension during elections. While security forces acted to maintain order, the incident shows the importance of smooth coordination between officials, security personnel, and party agents.