Wednesday, February 8 2006 16:15 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kolkata: Seven Bangladeshis, whose names figured in voters list in Hooghly district, were today (Feb 8,2006) arrested by the police on orders of the Election Commission observer as police conducted raids in search of settlers from across the border.

Hooghly district Superintendent of Police, Supratim Sarkar, said the Bangaldeshis had been arrested from Inchura village in Balagarh block this morning on the orders of the Election Commission observer N Shivasalim.

Congress and Trinamul Congress activists had on Monday last submitted a list to Shivasalim of the names of alleged Bangladeshis residing in Balagarh block possessing ration cards and with their names figuring on the voters' list.

The district administration had earlier lodged an FIR against the seven who were found to be residents of Barisal district in Bangladesh.

The district police also raided three villages under Balagarh block -- Char Krishnabati, Char Khairamari, Char Jatrasiddhi on char lands of River Bhagirathi known to be inhabited by settlers from Bangladesh.The SP said the settlers fled on seeing the police.

Reports from Howrah district said two Additional District Magistrates and three block officials had been transferred prior to the elections. The administration has described the transfers as routine.

Transfers of district officials connected with election work have been effected in various districts following the visit of EC observers.

The second phase of the visit of the Election Observers within a month to poll bound West Bengal was due to end tomorrow.