Kolkata, April 18 (IANS) Kolkata Police suspended a constable of the Kolkata Police Reserve Force for allegedly influencing voters during the postal ballot. A suspension notice was issued by the Joint Commissioner of Kolkata Police on Saturday.
As per the order, the constable will have to remain under suspension until the voting period is over.
The constable, named Masood Karim, will receive half of his salary for now. The allegations against him are considered very serious by informed sources.
It was learnt that Kolkata Police Reserve Force Constable Masood Karim was working in the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in Kolkata.
He had to be transferred to the Haldia Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s office due to a reshuffle by the Election Commission ahead of the Assembly election.
Voting by postal ballot began in the state on April 13. It is alleged that Masood Karim influenced voters during the postal ballot voting at the Haldia Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s office, which is considered a very serious offence.
For that reason, Kolkata Police decided to suspend him.
It is worth mentioning that the Election Commission is making continuous efforts to conduct the Assembly polls in West Bengal smoothly and peacefully.
From deploying central forces to increasing surveillance, everything has been done to ensure free and fair polling. The Commission has also deployed a large number of surveillance cameras to ensure there is no unrest or rigging anywhere.
Even then, the Kolkata Police Headquarters took immediate action after allegations were made against a police constable for influencing voters.
For now, Constable Masood Karim will remain suspended until the voting period is over. As per the rules, he will receive half his salary during this period.
Polling will be held in 294 Assembly constituencies of West Bengal in two phases on April 23 and 29. Haldia will vote in the first phase, while Bhabanipur will vote in the second phase.
Vote counting will take place on May 4.
–IANS
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