The apprehension of violence at booths during the panchayat elections has apparently prompted as many as 22 schoolteachers to file nominations as Independent candidates in one panchayat samiti constituency in Alipurduar district.

After the nomination process closed down on June 20 (the final day of withdrawal), officials in the Alipurduar district administration were surprised to see that there were 25 candidates in the fray in seat number 12 of Falakata panchayat samiti.

“We were surprised to see that 22 of the 25 candidates are Independents and schoolteachers,” said an official.

The other three candidates are from the Trinamul Congress, the BJP and the Congress-Left Front alliance.

When the filing of nomination papers was in progress, The Telegraph had reported that a section of schoolteachers was submitting papers to avoid election duties.

“It is a common strategy. Schoolteachers are eligible to contest elections and if they file nominations, they will not be assigned polling duties. This time, many of them have submitted nominations, fearing violence at booths,” said a senior Congress leader of the district.

He, however, said the presence of 22 Independent candidates who are teachers in one single seat in the Jateswar area of Falakata block is exceptional.

Local sources said of the 22 Independents, seven are from one family. “They have a social event during the elections. It seems they have filed nominations so that they can attend the event as otherwise, they might have to join election duties,” said a resident.

One of these candidates said on the condition of anonymity that he didn't want to join the election duty. “I have serious doubts as to whether adequate security arrangements would be made at booths. We are not covered under any insurance policy and have to think of our families. That is why contesting as an independent is the best option,” he said.

Told about the presence of 22 teachers in the fray in a single panchayat samiti constituency, administrative officials said any eligible citizen could contest the polls. “Whoever fulfils the criteria of the State Election Commission can file nominations and contest the elections,” Falakata block development officer Supratik Majumder said.