LS polls: Probe underway on security breach in Nalbari strong room 

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 22, 2024

As per directive of the Assam government, senior IAS officer and principal secretary of the home and political department, B Kalyan Chakravarthy started a probe into the security breach in the strong roll in Nalbari district during the voting for the third phase of Lok Sabha elections on May 7. 

Voting in Nalbari district, which is a part of Barpeta Lok Sabha constituency, took place in the third phase on May 7.

Based on a complaint lodged by Congress candidate for Barpeta Deep Bayan, the state home and political department entrusted Chakravarthy to conduct a probe into the matter on Tuesday night.

Chakravarthy started inquiry proceedings at 4 pm at the circuit house in Nalbari on Wednesday and examined DC Varnali Deka, superintendent of police (SP) Supriya Das and national awardee filmmaker Luit Kumar Barman in this connection.

Chakravarthy is likely to examine the DC, SP and Luit Kumar Barman on Thursday in Dispur.

The senior IAS officer also examined the magistrate in charge of the strong room, security personnel in charge of the strong room and the representatives of political parties witnessing the security breach.

On May 14, Deep Bayan had complained to the Election Commission of India (ECI) seeking a probe into alleged security breach of the strong room following a police complaint lodged by Deka. 

Deka had on May 10 filed a police complaint that “one unknown person” inside the EVM receipt centre asked her to pay Rs 10 lakh to national award-winning filmmaker Luit Kumar Barman, who has been vocal on social media for the past few months over alleged irregularities committed by the DC.

The DC, in her complaint, claimed that the person, whom she believed to be a poll personnel, had left the premises before she could react. 

The receipt counter and strong room have been set up at Government Gurdon Higher Secondary School, and there is only one entry-exit gate of the compound housing both facilities. Therefore, the receipt counter also enjoyed the heightened security arrangement meant for the strong room.

The police have not been able to identify and nab that person so far, while Barman after appearing at Nalbari Police Station had claimed that the DC made a “completely false and fabricated” case to take “revenge” on him. 

In his complaint to the poll, panel Bayan said: “After publishing the same in various electronic and print media as well as in social media, the voters, political parties, as well as the candidates, strongly suspect that some malpractices, tempering of the EVM machines may have taken place.

Bayan also alleged that nobody can enter the strong room campus other than contesting candidates and election agents without due authorisation, so the DC’s complaint of an unknown person entering the premises to demand money was a serious security breach.

Later speaking to media, Luit Kumar Barman demanded immediate punishment of the DC and SP in connection with the incident.