Polling officers checking EVMs at distribution center ahead of fifth phase assembly elections in Kolkata on Friday. (PTI Photo)
Kolkata:
On the eve of the fifth phase of West Bengal Assembly elections, several crude bombs were found from different parts of the city during security check by Kolkata Police.
Four persons have been detained in connection with the recoveries, a senior police officer said.
While 14 crude bombs were seized from the terrace of a local club premises in Chelta Police Station area, 10 were found kept inside a bag lying in the backyard of a club in the Tiljala area, the officer said.
Fourteen crude bombs were similarly seized from the terrace of a local club on Raja Santosh Road in the Chelta Police Stations limits this afternoon, the officer said.
"The bombs have been defused and we are conducting check in the neighbourhood as well. Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) and sniffer dogs are being used for the purpose. We have detained four people for questioning," he said.
Earlier, police seized ten crude bombs kept inside a bag lying in the backyard of a club in the Tiljala area in the southern part of the city, a day before the fifth phase of Assembly polls.
Acting on a call on Kolkata Police's Dial 100 for Emergency, the bomb disposal squad of Kolkata Police, accompanied by sniffer dogs, seized the bombs from inside a bag hidden under the staircase of a house behind a club in the Tarikhana More in the Tiljala Police Station limits.
Houses in the surrounding area were also searched by the squad. Nobody was arrested in Tiljala raids.
As per the Election Commission's directives, all clubs where likelihood of outsiders assembling and intimidating the voters have been identified and brought under strict vigilance including vigil during night time.
The Kolkata Police was maintaining strict vigil in and around the city to avert any incident during tomorrow's polling in the city and surrounding areas under its jurisdiction.
Checking of vehicles at crucial places both at the entry and exit points of the city, increase of patrolling both at day and night at "sensitive areas" were continuing.