Protests erupt in Falta amid threats of arson and violence, roads blocked

Tension gripped Falta in South 24 Parganas district on Saturday as local residents staged protests alleging threats and intimidation by Trinamool Congress (TMC) cadres ahead of vote counting scheduled for May 4. The demonstrators demanded a repoll in the constituency and urged the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces to ensure safety in the area.

Protesters, including women residents, alleged that they had been threatened with arson and violence by local political workers. Women claimed that they were receiving rape threats by Jahangir's aides. They claimed that intimidation had created fear among voters and demanded strict action against those allegedly involved, while also calling for enhanced security arrangements across the constituency.

Authorities responded by deploying heavy security in the region, with personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force and Rapid Action Force stationed at key points. An armoured vehicle was also deployed as a precaution to maintain law and order amid rising tensions, while officials continued monitoring the situation closely.

The protest comes amid ongoing repolling in multiple booths across Magrahat Paschim and Diamond Harbour following earlier irregularities. Meanwhile, separate allegations over EVM strongrooms and postal ballot handling have added to the political tension in the state, with security further tightened ahead of the counting process.