In a major move to ensure peaceful polling for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections, the Election Commission (EC) has sought a comprehensive report from the Kolkata Police regarding a firing incident in the Patuli area. The incident, which took place on Thursday, has raised serious concerns about the law and order situation in the city while the Model Code of Conduct is in effect.

According to official sources, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal has directed the Commissioner of Kolkata Police to submit a detailed factual report. The EC wants to ascertain the motive behind the shooting and whether it has any links to the ongoing electoral process or political rivalries. The commission has also asked for an update on the arrests made and the preventive measures taken to avoid a recurrence.

The shooting at Patuli has triggered a political blame game, with opposition parties accusing the ruling dispensation of creating an atmosphere of fear. On the other hand, the police have intensified patrolling in the area and are reviewing CCTV footage to identify the culprits involved in the broad daylight shootout.

The Election Commission has emphasized its “zero tolerance” policy towards poll-related violence. Based on the report submitted by the police, the EC may consider deploying additional paramilitary forces in the sensitive zones of South Kolkata to ensure the safety and confidence of the voters.