Elephant briefly halts polling queue in West Bengal’s Jhargram

Kolkata: A wild elephant briefly disrupted voting day in West Bengal after it was seen in the queue outside a polling station in Jhargram, causing a short scare among voters on Thursday morning.

The incident occurred at Jitushol Primary School in Jhargram district, one of four Assembly constituencies going to the polls in the first phase of the state elections. Voters were just beginning to assemble when the animal, known locally as “Ramlal”, appeared in front of the school.

The elephant did not harm anyone, took a curious look at a goods vehicle parked near the booth, and then moved away on its own. A crowd gathered to watch the spectacle before forest officials from the Lodhashuli range arrived and guided Ramlal to a safe distance, allowing polling to resume smoothly.

The forest department has stepped up its efforts to manage elephant movements during the elections. A 15 member specialist team, including an “Airavat” vehicle, has been deployed, along with a quick response unit comprising the Elephant Trekkers Team and experienced Hula Party members, to monitor elephant groups across the district.

The first phase of voting in 152 constituencies across 16 districts began at 7 a.m. under heavy security, with 2,407 companies of central forces, India Reserve Battalions, and armed police from other states, alongside West Bengal and Kolkata Police. The second phase for the remaining 142 seats will be held on April 29, with results due on May 4.

(Inputs from IANS)