Five more killed as West Bengal panchayat poll enters 4th phase

Violence and bloodshed continue to mar the West Bengal’s panchayat polls where at least five persons were killed on Monday in this eastern province of India.
The state entered its fourth phase of the panchayat polls as people lined up to vote in its four districts of Malda, Birbhum, Murshidabad and Nadia on Monday. The Monday poll is expected to see a three-way battle between Trinamool Congress (TMC), Congress party and Left Front.
The violence-marred election had its first death reported when a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel allegedly opened fire and killed a voter in the Ratua
area of Malda. It was alleged that the firing was done to evade the booth capturing attempt in a polling station housed at the Sambalpur
High School in that area.
A woman also died in Beldanga area of Murshidabad when a crude bomb was hurled at her. The police said there were clashes in the Muhammad Bazar of Birbhum in which some people were injured.
Murshidabad Superintendent of Police Humayun Kabir said, “There were reports of bombings in Domkol, Beldanga and some other areas in the outskirts. However, the situation is under control.”
On the continuing violence, a CPI-M leader Mohd Salim said that the TMC leaders who are in the government were creating an atmosphere to terrorize the people.
“The TMC MLAs issues threat even on camera and the police are taking no action against them,” he said.
Clashes between CPI-M and TMC activists have also been reported in
Suri where 20 people have been injured. Some of them are believed to be in critical condition.
Meanwhile, Naxals have issued warnings and put up posters in Birbhum district warning people to boycott voting. Two people, reportedly belonging to the CPI-M, were found dead in the Mayureswar area of Birbhum. The police claimed that they might have died in a crude bomb explosion.
Another CPI-M worker was also killed in the Mayapur area of Nadia.
According to State Election Commission officials the elections on Monday saw a voter turnout of 25 per cent. The five-phased panchayat polls that began on July 11 has seen a lot of upheaval, bloodshed and violence.
Earlier three Congress workers were killed on Sunday in four districts of West Bengal and at least 100 houses vandalized and looted in South 24-Parganas district on Sunday.
The fifth and final phase of the Panchayat election will be held on July 25.