Residents inWest Bengal's Falta constituency on Saturday staged a protest, alleging threats and intimidation by Trinamool Congress (TMC) cadres ahead of the counting of votes on May 4. The residents, including women, raised concerns about their safety while alleging threats from ruling party workers. Following this development, a heavy security deployment was witnessed in the area, with personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Rapid Action Force (RAF) stationed at key locations.

An armoured CRPF vehicle was also deployed as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order amid rising tensions, PTI reported.

Alleging threats from TMC cadres, a local woman claimed, "TMC's Israfil Chowkidar has threatened us that if these people win, they will burn our houses and carry out bloodshed." Another woman alleged that despite voting for the ruling party, they were targeted.

"We had voted for TMC, yet they attacked us... We want him to be arrested. We need safety for women," she said. The Falta constituency lies in South 24 Parganas district.

This is the same seat where BJP's symbol was taped on EVMs during the second phase of polling on April 29.

Raising security concerns ahead of the counting day, a local woman claimed, "TMC's Israfil Chowkidar has threatened us that if these people win, they will burn our houses and carry out bloodshed." Another woman alleged that despite voting for the ruling party, they were targeted.

"We had voted for TMC, yet they attacked us... We want him to be arrested. We need safety for women," she said.

The protest comes asrepollingis underway in 15 booths across Magrahat Paschim and Diamond Harbour constituencies following directions from the Election Commission of India over reported irregularities during the second phase of polling.

According to ECI data as of 3 PM, voter turnout stood at 72.43 per cent.

Meanwhile, a controversy has erupted over alleged irregularities in EVM strongrooms. The All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) has filed a complaint against a Returning Officer at Khudiram Anushilan Kendra, alleging unauthorised sorting of postal ballot covers. The centre is currently being used as a strongroom for storing EVMs.

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