Violence mars first phase of polls in WB
COOCH BEHAR/KOLKATA: Sporadic incidents of violence marred the first phase of Lok Sabha polls in Bengal’s three parliamentary constituencies, with a 77 per cent voter turnout till 5pm and several injuries reported as TMC and BJP workers clashed mostly in the violence-prone Cooch Behar seat.
The TMC and BJP lodged around 100 and 50 complaints respectively, which are related to poll violence, voter intimidation, and assaults on poll agents in the initial hours of polling, as claimed by sources from both parties. Most complaints originated from Cooch Behar.
“We have received a few complaints and we are looking into them. However, we have no reports of any major incidents of violence so far. The polling has been peaceful,” a senior officer from the CEO’s office said.
The CEO’s office received approximately 500 complaints from various parties till 2pm, with most of the complaints swiftly resolved. Cooch Behar recorded a 77.38 per cent turnout till 5pm, while Alipurduars
and Jalpaiguri recorded 75.54 and 79.33 per cent, respectively. All three seats are reserved: Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri for SCs, and Alipurduars for STs. The TMC alleged that BJP workers assaulted polling agents in Sitalkuchi and prevented voters from accessing some booths in Cooch Behar. The BJP denied these allegations and accused the TMC of voter intimidation.
Television footage on Friday showed TMC and BJP workers clashing in Mathabhanga area, with injuries reported on both sides. Both parties confronted each other over allegations of voter intimidation. In another incident in Mathabhanga area, TMC workers protested against central forces’ alleged assistance to BJP workers in rigging votes. Anant Barman, the TMC block president from Bethguri, was hospitalised after reportedly being assaulted by BJP members. In the Alipurduars constituency, the TMC alleged CRPF personnel and BJP leaders threatened and harassed voters, compelling them to vote for the saffron camp. The BJP denied these claims.