Sporadic violence in WB in sixth phase of LS elections

The sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal witnessed several incidents of violence and clashes between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and BJP on Sunday. According to Election Commission (EC), 80.16% votes were polled till 7 pm in the eight constituencies in the state that faced election today.

During the day, BJP candidate from Ghatal constituency former IPS officer Bharati Ghosh was allegedly attacked twice by TMDC cadres. The incidents took place in the Keshpur when she went to visit polling booths.

A scuffle took place between TMC activists and Ghosh’s security guards comprising of Central force jawans when the former surrounded her car and started pelting stones at the former’s vehicle. One of her security guards got injured due to stone pelting.

However, local TMC leadership alleged that one of their workers got injured when a security guard of Ghosh opened fire. The BJP candidate, however, denied the allegation.

EC has sought a report of the incident. It has also sought a report of Ghosh entering a polling booth in Keshpur and shooting videos.

The situation almost went out of control when Ghosh’s vehicle was blocked by alleged TMC cadre in the Keshpur market aera who resorted to stone-pelting. Police, however, seized her vehicle as it did not have permission to move around in poll-bound areas.

Soon after the situation almost went out of control when Ghosh took shelter inside a temple and the mob again resorted to stone-pelting. Ghosh then took shelter in the adjoining Keshpur police station. Police resorted to lathi charge to disperse the mob.

BJP state president and candidate from Medinipur constituency Dilip Ghosh also faced protest by TMC cadre who blocked his vehicle.

According to a senior state police official, the Central forces opened fire in five places, injuring three persons. The firing incidents took place in Ghatal, Bishnupur, Jhargram and Bishnupur constituencies.