Ahead of poll, violence seen in North 24 Parganas

On Tuesday, several bomb blasts were seen at Titagarh in North 24 Parganas, which led to collapse of a building and left one person dead and two seriously injured.

The incident took place under Rahara police station under Barrackpore police commissionerate.

According to several eyewitnesses, the incident happened after few people tried to make can bombs a day before the constituency goes to polls in the sixth phase on April 22.

Separate sporadic incidents of violence were also seen from different parts of North 24 Parganas after which the Election Commission declared 1190 booth in North 24 parganas as sensitive.

BJP Lok Sabha MP Arjun Singh said bombs were also hurled near his house. He alleged police harassed locals instead of arresting the culprits.

Meanwhile, TMC accused the BJP of bringing outsiders to incite violence in the area.

“BJP knows that their defeat is clear. The local people know how to reject violence and would give a befitting reply to the BJP on May 2 when counting is held,” said TMC minister Jyotipriyo Mullick.

Clashes between BJP and the ruling TMC were also seen in Birbhum while ballot voting was on. According BJP candidate Anirban Ganguly, ballot voting was on without the central forces. “The central forces were not present while the ballot polling was on. After the BJP cadres tried to stop the process the TMC supporters cried foul against the BJP cadres,” stated Anirban.