Election Commission officials heckled in West Bengal

Kolkata, April 15 (IANS) Some Election Commission officials were heckled in West Bengal's Malda district Monday, allegedly by Trianmool Congress activists, while they were removing some flags and banners put up on a government property, a commission official said.

"We had gone to remove some flags and banners. After we removed some of them, there was an argument with some activists who were speaking for the Trinamool Congress. We were kept confined for over 30 minutes and heckled. We are very upset," said Apratim Banerjee, officer in-charge, model code of conduct, Kaliachak.

The incident took place in Nabinagar area of Kaliachak.

"They told us we have to resolve the matter then and there," Banerjee added.

The block development officer of the area said a police complaint has been filed against Trinamool leader Dawood Hossain and some other activists.

"The video of the incident shows demonstration by activists while Trinamool flags and banners were being removed."

The video footage of the incident has been sent to the Election Commission.

Trinamool candidate from Malda South constituency Moazzem Hossain has denied the charges.

"They were removing the flags and festoons of our party which had been put up on a private land. There were Congress flags and festoons also, which were not removed. So our activists protested by lying in font of the commission personnel's car," he said.

Earlier, Trinamool activists allegedly assaulted poll panel officials at Manikchak in Malda district, Habra in North 24 Parganas and Howrah city.