Seven killed and dozens sustained injuries in panchayat poll-related violence

Seven persons were killed by mid-day and dozens sustained injuries in West Bengal on Monday on the day of State-wide rural polls.

This is one of the most violent polls in Bengal in recent years, observers said.

While violence linked to polls been reported from almost all districts of the State, the deaths have been reported from South 24 Paraganas, North 24 Paraganas, Nadia and Murshidabad.

Majority of State’s over six crore electors are anticipated to vote in the panchayat polls. However, in one-third of the seats, the Opposition could not file nomination due to pre-poll violence.

In South 24 Parganas, three persons were killed in poll-related violence. In the district’s Namkhana area, the house of a CPI(M) supporter Debu Das was set on fire in the early hours of Monday morning. Das and his wife Usha succumbed to fire.

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At Kultali area in the same district, Arif Hussain Gazi, a Trinamool Congress supporter was shot dead.

Two persons have been killed in poll-related violence at Nakashipara and Shantipur in State’s Nadia district.

Death of one person was reported from Amdanga in North 24 Parganas and Beldanga in Murshidabad.

Trinamool Congress leader and Minister for North Bengal development Rabindranath Ghosh was caught on camera slapping a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporter in Cooch Behar district.

Clashes have been reported at Polerhat II area of Bhangar in South 24 Paraganas and Keshpur in State’s Paschim Mednipur district along with Cooch Behar’s Dinhata area. At a few places, miscreants set ballot papers on fire and threw ballot box in ponds.

 “Both were badly beaten up. Entajul’s leg was smashed and he was later admitted in the hospital,” a CPLLEE leader claimed on social media.