India, April 9 -- The mere sight of central armed police forces (CAPF) personnel patrolling the dusty village roads of Jorepatki in Sitalkuchi ahead of the Lok Sabha election in West Bengal's Cooch Behar sends a chill down 25-year-old Pinku Rahaman's spine. Rahman lost his four relatives, including his elder brother Maniruzzaman, in CAPF firing at a school during polling for the state assembly elections on April 10, 2021.

"He [Maniruzzaman] was the only earning family member. He worked in Sikkim as a mason. We were left devastated. My father developed psychological problems and is bedridden now. My mother is still in shock. I had to take up work and now drive a tractor. Unlike other youth in the village, I cannot even leave the state to ...