Panchayat poll violence in West Bengal claims six lives
Kolkata, May 14 (IBNS): At least six people were killed in a widespread panchayat poll violence in West Bengal within five hours after the polling began on Monday morning, media reports said.
A CPI-M worker and his wife were killed after their house was set on fire in South 24 Parganas.
In North 24 Parganas, a CPI-M worker was killed during clashes while two others received injuries.
A Trinamool Congress (TMC) supporter and a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker died in South 24 Parganas and Murshidabad respectively.
Widespread violence, including bombing and and efforts of booth capturing by political goons, were reported across the state since Monday morning as the panchayat (rural bodies) poll is underway.
In Cooch Behar district, 20 people were injured in a low intensity blast at a polling booth.
Violence were reported from Howrah and already clash-hit Bhangar in South 24 Parganas as well. Earlier on Friday, a supporter of an independent candidate was shot dead in Bhangar area.
There were reports of violence from several other disctricts like Jalpaiguri, Malda, Nadia and West Midnapore where at Bikalchak of Keshpur a teenaged girl was hit by an arrow.
However, in many places the police acted swiftly and brought the situation under control, reports said.
Under the shadow of violence, people are voting to elect 38,616 representatives across rural West Bengal.
Voting began at 7 am on Monday. More than 71,000 armed personnel are manning the booths.
Amid tight security, long queues could be seen outside polling booths in several districts of the state.
The key battle in the state is expected to take place between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Results of the poll will be declared on May 17.
Image: Tv Grab
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