Bengal CID, forensics teams in Sitalkuchi to probe CISF firing

Officials from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), along with a ballistic team from the State Forensic Science Laboratory, reached Sitalkuchi in Cooch Behar district on Monday to investigate the April 10 firing by CISF personnel during the assembly elections in which four persons were killed.
The forensic team visited the school building, which was converted into a polling booth and the adjacent grounds, along with the CID officials. It may be recalled that bullet marks were found in one of the classrooms.

“One bullet mark was found on the blackboard and another on the door,” sources in the CID said.

During the fourth phase of assembly polls on April 10, the CISF had opened fire at polling station No. 126 in Sitalkuchi leading to the deaths of four people. The EC had adjourned voting at this booth following this. Though the CISF claimed that they were forced to open fire as people were manhandling them, the Trinamool Congress blamed the CISF for the deaths.

TMC chief Mamata Banerjee had claimed that she will take strict action against the firing after the election process was over. She also paid compensation to the victims’ families. She ordered a CID probe into the matter after taking oath as CM.