Bengal polls: ECI endorses the necessity of CISF's firing in Sitalkuchi, bans political leaders' entry in Cooch Behar for next 72 hours

"The joint report of the two Special Observers, Ajay Nayak and Vivek Dube, has been received at 5:12 pm. wherein they interalia stated that recourse to open fire by the CISF personnel became absolutely necessary in order to save the lives of the voters lined up at the polling booth, those of other polling personnel and their own lives as the mob had attempted snatching their weapons," the ECI statement read.

Meanwhile, as a precautionary measure to maintain the law and order, the Election Commission has also banned the entry of any political leader to the geographical boundaries of Cooch Behar district for the next 72 hours with an immediate effect.

"In Cooch Behar district comprising of nine ACs where voting shall be over by today, no political leader from any national, state, or any other party should be allowed to enter the geographical boundaries of the district for the next 72 hours. This comes into force with immediate effect," according to an ECI order.

Earlier in the aftenoon, Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo had announced to visit Sitalkuchi on Sunday.

Criticizing the ECI's decision, TMC MP Sougata Roy alleged that the poll body had made the announcement just to stop Mamata from visiting the place and interacting with the victims' families.

The commission has also extended the silence period for the next phase of the Bengal assembly polls (Phase V- Apr 17) from 48 hours to 72 hours.

"The Election Commission of India further directs that the silence period for phase V (for polls scheduled on Apr 17) shall be extended to 72 hours and no campaigning shall be permitted during 72 hours before the close of the poll in order to ensure the conduct of free, fair and peaceful elections," an ECI order read.

Earlier in the morning, at least four persons were killed and few others were injured as CISF personnel performing poll duties at Polling Booth no. 126 in Cooch Behar's Sitalkuchi opened fire at around 9:45 am. as a local mob at a large number had allegedly attacked them outside the polling station.

Following the incident, DIG Jalpaiguri Range Annappa E. visited the scene and claimed that the CISF personnel had to fire bullets as the mob had tried to snatch their rifles.

Later, the SP of Cooch Behar, Debasish Dhar, claimed the same and said that the firing by the CISF was purely in self-defense.

Due to the incident, the ECI had adjourned polling in the particular polling booth and it stated that a re-poll will be conducted there.

Following the incident, a political blame game had started between the BJP and TMC.

During a political rally in North 24 Parganas' Bongaon, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee said, "In the name of self-defense, the Central police murdered four people today at the behest of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He must resign immediately."

Later, a TMC delegation met the CEO, West Bengal and put forward a complaint over the incident.

Meanwhile, expressing his grief over the death of four people in the police firing, PM Narendra Modi, during a public meeting in north Bengal's Siliguri, claimed that Mamata Banerjee's provocative 'gherao the central forces' remark was responsible for the violence.

Meanwhile, in another incident, a first-time voter, who has been identified as Ananda Barman, was shot dead by unknown miscreants near polling booth no. 285 in the same assembly constituency- Sitalkuchi.

CEO, WB Ariz Aftab said that two suspects have been detained so far and police are carrying out raids to catch others involved in the incident.