Five dead in Indian local election clashes

Five people have been killed amid violent clashes over local elections in the Indian state of West Bengal, according to police.

Violent attacks, voter intimidation and attacks on polling booths have been reported in several locations and fears have emerged the death toll could rise.

India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress Party (TMC) of instigating the trouble.

The TMC has denied the charges and said the reports were overblown.

Local media has reported incidents of a bomb blast outside a voting centre and gun shots and clashes between opposing groups outside polling booths.

More than 12 people are believed to have been injured in these attacks, according to reports.