BSF suspends jawan accused of harassment during election duty

Calcutta: A Border Guard Force (BSF) Jawan, accused of outraging a woman’s modesty in a village in Uluberia Lok Sabha constituency in Howrah, West Bengal on Sunday, has been relieved of his electoral duties and suspended.

According to an official statement from the BSF, investigation is underway and if found guilty, the soldier will face stiff punishment.

The plaintiff claimed that she was on her morning walk on Sunday when the accused soldier and a colleague – both in uniform – made indecent offers to her. After she protested, the accused soldier allegedly hugged and kissed her. After she raised the alarm, he was caught by locals.

The alleged incident has given fresh ammunition to the Trinamool Congress to attack the Election Commission’s decision to deploy Central Armed Police Forces personnel for the elections.

“The central forces personnel are here to upset the modesty of women in Bengal,” commented Trinamool leader and minister Shashi Panja.

“The BSF has initiated an inquiry to probe the matter and strict action will be taken if the accused is found guilty. The BSF is a professional force and does not tolerate any form of indiscipline from its personnel. BSF has fulfilled its election duties with utmost seriousness and any misbehavior by the force will be taken very seriously. In the alleged incident of insulting a woman’s modesty, BSF took prompt action and removed the accused police officer from duty and suspended him.