“Anti-social activities won’t be tolerated”: CEO office issues warning after overnight protest outside office

Tensions escalated outside the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) office in Kolkata as Trinamool Congress and BJP workers clashed during the day, followed by an overnight protest by Trinamool supporters who refused to vacate the area. The protesters raised slogans against the Election Commission, alleging irregularities in the submission of Form 6 applications and demanding strict monitoring of the process.

Trinamool supporters present at the site stated that they would remain stationed overnight to prevent any alleged illegal submission or removal of Form 6 documents from the CEO office. The demonstration continued into the night, prompting heightened security concerns and drawing the attention of senior administrative and police officials.

In response, the office of CEO Manoj Agarwal issued a strong statement on Wednesday morning, warning that such “anti-social activities will not be tolerated” and asserting that law enforcement would take appropriate action. The Kolkata Police Commissioner held a late-night meeting with the CEO for nearly one and a half hours and later reviewed the situation on the ground, questioning how such a large gathering had formed. Central forces were also deployed at the location. The CEO office further shared a video of the protest, stating that individuals, including local councillors, had surrounded the office and that all necessary steps would be taken to ensure free and fair Assembly elections.