Kolkata, May 7 (IANS) A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Calcutta High Court over the alleged vandalism in Kolkata’s New Market area using a bulldozer, court sources said on Thursday.

The petitioner alleged that the vandalism took place in the presence of certain police officers and, therefore, sought judicial intervention and action against those officers. The petitioner has also sought the court’s intervention in incidents of vandalism reported from different parts of the state in the wake of post-poll violence.

The matter is likely to come up for hearing on Friday.

Following the West Bengal Assembly elections, the BJP came to power in the state, ending the 15-year rule of the Trinamool Congress government.

Since the election results were declared on May 4, reports of post-poll violence have emerged from several districts of the state.

On the night of the incident, tension gripped the New Market area after a group of youths carrying BJP flags allegedly demolished temporary structures belonging to hawkers in the area adjacent to New Market using a bulldozer. There were also allegations that a Trinamool Congress party office was demolished during the violence.

The incident triggered panic among local residents and traders. After receiving information about the violence, police personnel and central forces rushed to the spot. It has been alleged that the bulldozer was used in the New Market area in the presence of police officers. The PIL filed before the Calcutta High Court has sought an investigation into the role of those police personnel.

Around eight persons have been arrested in connection with the incident. An FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Legal action is also likely to be initiated against those who rented out the bulldozer.

Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma on Wednesday said victory processions involving bulldozers would not be allowed. He warned that strict legal action would be taken against those renting out bulldozers for such activities.

He also said prior permission must be obtained before organising any victory procession. However, despite the warning, incidents of post-poll violence continue to be reported from different parts of the state.

There have been allegations of Trinamool Congress party offices being vandalised in several areas. At the same time, BJP workers have also allegedly been targeted in different parts of the state.

–IANS

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