Bengal polls: EC asks police to conduct special drive after explosives seized ahead of second phase

The Election Commission on Sunday directed the West Bengal Police to conduct a special drive to arrest bomb makers ahead of the second phase of the Assembly elections in the state, The Indian Express reported.

Earlier in the day, the police said on social media that it had recovered bombs and explosive material from an abandoned house in Majherhat in the South 24 Parganas district.

“The seizure includes 79 crude bomb-like objects, approximately 3.3 kg of gunpowder, 1.6 kg of sulphur, jute ropes, and 10 packets of roll caps, with the assistance of the Bomb Disposal Squad,” the police stated. “All materials have been seized as per prescribed procedure.”

An investigation was underway, it added.

The seizures were made three days before the second phase of polling is to be held on Wednesday. The first phase was held on April 23. The votes will be counted on May 4.

The police and the administration are reporting to the Election Commission as the Model Code of Conduct is in force in the state.

An unidentified poll panel official told The Indian Express that a special drive had begun to arrest those who are making explosives, adding that all such cases would be investigated by the National Investigation Agency.

The official said that the Kolkata Police commissioner, deputy commissioners of police, superintendents of...

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