Section 163 Imposed Outside Kolkata Strong Rooms Amid EVM Tampering Row; Mamata Spends 4 Hours at Bhabanipur Facility

Security tightened at seven locations until May 4 as TMC and BJP trade allegations over strong room access and postal ballot handling

Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) has been clamped outside strong rooms across Kolkata until May 4, with authorities moving to restrict unlawful assembly and movement in sensitive areas following overnight tensions over alleged unauthorised access to EVM storage facilities.

The restrictions cover seven locations including Khudiram Anushilan Kendra, Hastings House Complex, APC Roy Polytechnic College, St. Thomas Boys’ High School, Sakhawat Memorial Government Girls’ High School, Ballygunge Government High School, and Babasaheb Ambedkar Education University.

Late Night Visit

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee spent approximately four hours inside the strong room at Sakhawat Memorial Government Girls’ High School late Thursday night, emerging around 12:30 am. Officials said she visited the facility after her party raised concerns over suspected irregular activity.

Speaking after the visit, Banerjee warned of strong resistance against any attempt to tamper with EVMs or manipulate the vote count. She alleged that central forces briefly stopped her from accessing the area outside the strong room before she was allowed entry.

Protest at Khudiram Kendra

Trouble first flared around 8 pm at Khudiram Anushilan Kendra, where TMC candidate Kunal Ghosh and minister Shashi Panja staged a sit-in protest. The demonstration came after a video shared by the TMC on X showed what the party claimed were Election Commission officials along with BJP members attempting to open ballot boxes.

Election Commission officials tried to convince the TMC leaders, but they continued their strike until around 9 pm. Seeing the gathering of both TMC and BJP workers swell, a large number of security forces were deployed. By 9:30 pm, BJP workers accused the Bengal Police of lathi charge amid sloganeering and uproar.

EC Clarifies Position

The Election Commission of India has rejected all tampering allegations. In a statement, officials clarified that seven Assembly constituency strong rooms are located within the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra, all of which were closed and sealed in the presence of candidates, election agents, and the General Observer after polling concluded. The final strong room was sealed at approximately 5:15 am.

The Commission stated that a separate strong room within the premises has been designated for postal ballots. Segregation of ballots was carried out from 4 pm in the corridor outside the strong rooms, and political parties were formally informed via email.

Political Reactions

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari claimed on social media that the party’s election agent, advocate Suryaneel Das, remained inside the strong room premises during Banerjee’s visit and kept a close watch to ensure no irregular activity took place.

State BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya said Banerjee is “unable to digest her defeat,” adding that if she believes the BJP and the Election Commission are synonymous, she should approach the Supreme Court. BJP leader Rahul Sinha asserted that Banerjee has “accepted defeat even before counting.”

TMC MP Saugata Roy maintained that “unauthorised people entered the strong room from outside” and alleged that some individuals from Gujarat were shouting slogans outside the school where votes for the Chief Minister’s constituency will be counted.

Security Beefed Up

Kolkata Police Joint Commissioner Rupesh Kumar said additional CAPF and state forces have been deployed in sensitive areas, with extra guard rails placed at key locations. Access to CCTV footage of strong rooms will be restricted to authorised personnel only, with parties required to submit names of agents who can view the feed.

TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee will hold a virtual meeting on Friday with counting agents and key party stakeholders to review preparedness ahead of the vote count.

Bhopal Bans Protests, Dharna at Key Intersections Near CM Residence

Police Commissioner invokes Section 163 BNSS; Polytechnic, Akashvani, Kilol Park squares declared no-protest zones for two months

In a significant move affecting public demonstrations in the state capital, the Bhopal Police Commissioner has imposed a complete ban on protests, dharnas, and effigy burning at three major intersections near the Chief Minister’s house. The order, citing severe traffic disruption and risks to emergency services, came into effect late on Tuesday.

Three Key Squares Declared Restricted

The restricted zones include the bustling Polytechnic Square, Akashvani Square, and Kilol Park Square. Officials stated that these chowrahs serve as critical nodal points connecting the city’s arterial roads. Any gathering or blockade here directly chokes the flow of vehicles heading towards the airport, Hamidia Hospital, and the civil lines area.

Traffic and Emergency Services Cited

Police sources indicated that frequent protests at these locations often led to gridlocks lasting several hours. “Ambulances and fire brigade units have faced critical delays in the past due to unannounced demonstrations,” a senior traffic official said. The order explicitly notes the lack of viable alternative routes at these chowrahs, making any disruption unacceptable for public convenience.

Section 163 BNSS Enforced

The directive has been issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. This provision empowers the police commissioner to prohibit assemblies in specified areas to prevent public nuisance or danger. Legal experts confirm that the section is the successor to the colonial-era Section 144 of the CrPC but allows for more targeted restrictions.

No Permission Without Alternatives

According to the prohibitory order, no organisation or political party will be granted permission to hold a demonstration at these intersections. The commissioner’s office clarified that the ban applies strictly to the identified chowrahs and their immediate surrounding areas. Applicants for protests are now being directed to designated open grounds away from the VIP route.

Two-Month Ban in Effect

The commissioner’s order is effective immediately and will remain in force for the next two months. Police have stated that the restriction is temporary but necessary. Officials added that the situation will be reviewed after the stipulated period based on the law-and-order situation and public feedback.

Violation to Invite Penal Action

Authorities have warned of strict penal action against violators. Bhopal Police have increased patrolling around the notified squares. “Citizens are requested to cooperate and report any unauthorised gathering,” a police control room spokesperson said. The force has also prepared contingency plans to clear any spontaneous blockade.

Analysis: Balancing Rights and Order

Legal observers note that while the ban aids smooth traffic flow and emergency access, it renews the debate on designated protest zones. For now, the administration remains firm. As a latest news today update from the Madhya Pradesh capital, this order sets a precedent for managing public demonstrations on high-sensitivity routes across other India News Update cycles.

What Next for Agitating Groups

Political outfits and civil society members are now expected to seek alternative venues for their demonstrations. The collector’s office has hinted at formalising a list of designated protest grounds outside the restricted zone. As this public interest story develops, all eyes will be on compliance and potential legal challenges over the next two months. Stay with this English News Portal India for further government updates on the ground situation.