Terror plot foiled through bike squad in Bengal, STF seized cache of weapons, districts converted into cantonments before the second phase

News India Live, Digital Desk: Just before the second and final phase of West Bengal Assembly elections (April 29), the state’s Special Task Force (STF) and local police have foiled a major conspiracy of violence. In the raids conducted on Tuesday, security forces have recovered a huge cache of illegal arms and ammunition from different parts of the state, especially in South 24 Parganas and border areas. According to intelligence inputs, some anti-social elements were planning to spread terror at polling stations and scare voters through ‘Bike Squad’. STF’s major action: What was recovered? According to the report of Zee News, STF has conducted a raid on the basis of a secret information and seized a huge quantity of country-made pistols, muskets and bomb making material. Blast in South 24 Parganas: A few days before the elections, more than 84 live bombs have been recovered from South 24 Parganas, causing panic in the area. Weapons and bikes seized: During the raid, many such motorcycles have also been seized which were used This was to be done as a ‘quick reaction’ to spread violence. Police have detained several suspects in this case, whose interrogation is ongoing.Election Commission’s strict step: ‘Full proof’ plan to stop violence. After the first phase of voting, the Election Commission (ECI) has made unprecedented security arrangements to maintain peace and order in the second phase.Route march in sensitive areas: Continuous route march is being conducted by Central Paramilitary Forces (CAPF) at sensitive booths of Hooghly, Howrah, South 24 Parganas and Kolkata. Ban on bike squads: There is a complete ban on riding bikes in any kind of ‘bike squad’ or group around the polling stations on the election day. Drones and CCTV cameras are being used to keep an eye on suspicious activities. ‘Shame of terror’ amid claims of Amit Shah and Mamata Banerjee. On one hand, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has boosted the enthusiasm of BJP workers by claiming to win 110 seats in the first phase, while Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused ‘external forces’ of creating unrest in her rallies. The discovery of this cache of weapons amid these political allegations and counter-allegations indicates that the contest on 142 seats in the second phase is going to be not only politically but also very challenging from the security point of view. ‘Search operation’ intensified before the voting. STF sources say that the search operation will continue in the entire state till the commencement of voting. The police are especially keeping an eye on those areas where violence was reported last time. Voters have been appealed to come out without any fear, as deployment of central forces has been ensured at every booth.