In the lead-up to the Lok Sabha elections, the Tin Bigha Corridor in West Bengal's Coochbehar district is abuzz with preparations for the voting process. This narrow strip of land, leased to Bangladesh, is vital for allowing access to Bangladeshi enclaves within Indian territory, and it is gearing up for a peaceful election day.
Presiding officers and locals in the region have highlighted the peaceful atmosphere and strong security presence ahead of the elections. Citizens have expressed satisfaction with the central security forces deployed in the area, emphasizing that the security measures have instilled confidence in the voting process. Residents have also affirmed their unity and harmony in the region, with one noting that voting in their village typically proceeds smoothly, aided by the presence of CRPF jawans.
Coochbehar, along with Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri in West Bengal, will be part of the first phase of Lok Sabha elections. The BJP, which secured all three seats in the 2019 elections, is fielding Nisith Pramanik as its candidate in Coochbehar, while the TMC and Congress have their respective contenders vying for the seat as well. Locals in the Kuchlibari region, where 19 booths are set up, are ready to queue up early in the morning to exercise their right to vote in the democratic process.