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The seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha elections in nine parliamentary seats in West Bengal saw sporadic incidents of violence, especially in Jadavpur and Diamond Harbour, where clashes broke out between TMC, ISF and BJP supporters.
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As reported PTIThough election officials initially reported peaceful polling, they also admitted that they had received 1,450 complaints till 11 am, most of them from political parties, alleging malfunctioning of EVMs and obstruction of agents from entering polling stations.
“About 28.10 per cent of the over 1.63 crore voters exercised their franchise in the first two hours of polling for the nine Lok Sabha seats,” an Election Commission official said.
Tensions escalated as clashes broke out between TMC, ISF and BJP supporters in various areas of the state, triggered by a dispute over preventing poll agents from reaching polling stations.
Clashes broke out between Trinamool Congress and Indian Secular Front (ISF) supporters in Bhangar under Jadavpur constituency, with both groups allegedly hurling crude bombs.
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The protest turned violent after police intervention, with both groups accusing each other of instigating violence. Security personnel resorted to lathicharge to disperse the crowd and restore order. During the intervention, several crude bombs were recovered from the spot.
Angry voters of Kultuli in Jayanagar constituency resorted to drastic measures by throwing Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VV-PAT) machines into nearby water bodies. Their actions were driven by feelings of electoral malpractice, reflecting their frustration with alleged voting restrictions.
“Today at 6.40 AM, Reserve EVMs & papers of Sector Officer near Benimadhavpur FP School in 129-Kultali AC of 19-Jaynagar (SC) PC were looted by local mob and 1 CU, 1 BU, 2 VVPAT machines were thrown inside a pond,” West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer’s office posted on X.
“The sector police were a little behind. An FIR has been lodged by the sector officer and necessary action has been initiated. Polling process is going on smoothly in all the six booths under the sector. New EVMs and papers have been provided to the sector officer,” it further said.
PTI According to reports, TMC supporters have accused the ISF of plotting violence to intimidate voters. Due to prompt action by the local police, lathicharge was carried out in Bhangar’s Polarhat area and the suspects were arrested.
Another incident took place in Baghajatin area where the vehicle of an ISF worker was vandalised. Trinamool Congress supporters have been blamed for this alleged incident.
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In Diamond Harbour, the stronghold of TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, who is contesting again, clashes broke out between TMC and BJP supporters as the saffron party’s candidate Abhijit Das accused the ruling party of machinations. However, the TMC has denied the allegations.
CPI(M) workers were allegedly beaten up by TMC workers and their camp offices vandalised at Ganguly Bagan in Jadavpur area. However, the TMC denied the allegations and accused the Left party of intimidating voters.
The state Congress unit has written a letter to CEO Ariz Aftab and requested him to take strict action against the alleged irregularities and malpractices taking place in various sectors.
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In Barmajur area of Sandeshkhali, the BJP accused TMC workers of colluding with police officials to barge into the homes of BJP polling agents on Friday night and intimidate them. Based on video evidence, the party claimed that women in Sandeshkhali expressed their discontent over the TMC government’s actions, and portrayed it as attempts to intimidate people ahead of the final phase of the election.
(With inputs from PTI)
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Published: June 01, 2024, 01:23 PM IST
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