West Bengal

IIE DIGITAL DESK ;  October 6: Voting for the by-elections in two high-profile West Bengal Assembly constituencies, Nandigram and Rejinagar, began on Tuesday morning amid tight security arrangements. Polling commenced at 7 am, with central forces and state police deployed across the constituencies to ensure a peaceful voting process. While voters started arriving at polling stations from the early hours, tension was reported in Murshidabad's Rejinagar within hours of polling getting underway.

In a significant development during the initial phase of voting, Humayun Kabir, chief of the Am Janata Unnayan Party and sitting MLA from Nowda, was detained by police from Berhampore. According to police sources, he was taken into temporary custody following directions from the Election Commission and as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order during the polling process.

The detention came shortly after Kabir reportedly came out after casting his vote and allegedly made a series of objectionable remarks directed at the police. The incident quickly escalated, following which police personnel took him into custody from his party office in Rejinagar and brought him to the police station.

The development has added to the political tension surrounding the Rejinagar by-election, which is being closely watched because of the strong political contest and the involvement of Humayun Kabir's family. Kabir had emerged victorious from both Rejinagar and Nowda in the 2026 general Assembly election. He subsequently vacated the Rejinagar seat, paving the way for the by-election in the constituency.

The Am Janata Unnayan Party has fielded Kabir's son, Golam Nabi Azad, as its candidate from Rejinagar. The contest has therefore attracted considerable attention, with the outcome expected to have political significance for the region. The situation around polling stations and party offices has remained under close observation as authorities seek to prevent any disruption to the voting process.

Polling in Nandigram in East Midnapore also began on schedule amid heightened security. Long queues of voters were seen outside several polling stations from the morning, with people turning up to exercise their franchise despite the politically charged atmosphere surrounding the constituency.

Central forces and West Bengal Police personnel have been deployed in large numbers across Nandigram. Additional security arrangements have been made at polling stations identified as sensitive, while authorities are keeping a close watch on the movement of political workers and voters in vulnerable areas.

CCTV surveillance and webcasting arrangements have also been put in place at polling stations to monitor the voting process in real time and ensure transparency. Security personnel are maintaining strict vigil around polling booths, while election officials are overseeing the process to ensure that voting takes place according to Election Commission guidelines.

The by-elections in Nandigram and Rejinagar are being viewed as politically significant contests, with both constituencies drawing considerable attention from political parties and voters. The early developments in Rejinagar, particularly the detention of Humayun Kabir, have already brought an element of tension to polling day.

As voting continues, authorities are maintaining heightened security in both constituencies and closely monitoring the situation. Voters are being allowed to cast their ballots under the watch of central forces, state police and election officials, while any attempt to disturb the polling process is being dealt with as a law-and-order matter.