BSF trashes Mamata's allegations of scaring voters in border areas

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday accused the BSF of intimidating voters in bordering areas on behalf of the BJP, prompting a strong denial from the border-guarding force, which dubbed the allegation as "far from the truth".

Banerjee also asked the police to closely watch its activities while criticising the BSF for "shooting innocent villagers".

"I have information that in the run-up to the panchayat election, some BSF officials are visiting the border areas, threatening people and forcing them not to vote. I urge the voters to fearlessly participate in the polls," she said at a rally here.

Referring to the alleged shooting of villagers by the BSF last year, whom the border force had claimed as smugglers, the CM said, "Police will lodge FIRs in such cases, and the law will take its own course. They don't have the right to shoot and kill anyone. It seems killing people in Cooch Behar has become a norm. No one is above the law.

In a statement, the BSF Guwahati ...