2024-06-02 01:49:09
KOLKATA/SANDESHKHALI: Incidents of violence at several places, including Sandeshkhali, marred polling in nine south Bengal seats that voted in the seventh and final phase on Saturday.
At least 24 people, including four policemen, were injured in clashes and stone-pelting, while two people were arrested and many others detained during the day, chief electoral officer (CEO) Aariz Aftab said.
It was a turbulent start, as an EVM and VVPAT machine was thrown into a pond, even before the voting began, around 6.40 am, by some villagers at Kultali in South 24 Parganas district. An FIR was registered, but the polling was not affected, as the EVM was part of a reserved set, the CEO said.
In Jadavpur constituency, supporters of two rival parties clashed at Bhangar and crude bombs were hurled, prompting EC to seek a report. Sporadic violence and clashes between supporters and cadres of various parties in Jadavpur had started even before the elections, and additional security forces had to be rushed at a few places.
At Ganguly Bagan, a female CPM worker was injured in a scuffle, but the CEO said the allegation of rape was untrue. In Baranagar, CAPF jawans assaulted a journalist covering the elections, causing a head injury. EC has asked for a report.
In Sandeshkhali, which has been in the eye of a storm over the past several months, violence erupted late afternoon at Boyamari, as BJP accused TMC men of attacking its polling agents. They came out on the road to protest, alleging apathy of police and central forces. A clash with cops followed, with both sides allegedly pelting stones at each other, causing injuries to some women.
Police fired tear-gas shells and lathi-charged the protesters and whisked away five BJP workers.
BJP candidate Rekha Patra, who rushed to the spot, alleged that Sheikh Shahjahan’s men were terrorising BJP voters. Accusing police of taking sides, she entered into a heated argument with cops. TMC and BJP supporters also clashed at a booth at Agargati in Sandeshkhali-I.
Rest of Sandeshkhali voted in peace, with women turning up at the booths in large numbers. “All these years we were not allowed to vote. I feel elated to have cast my vote for the first time in about 12 years,” said Dipali Sardar of Karnakhali.
“This is the first time I have seen an EVM. In earlier elections, I used to return without casting my vote as it would be already done on my behalf,” said Nilima Haldar of Sarberia.
At least 24 people, including four policemen, were injured in clashes and stone-pelting, while two people were arrested and many others detained during the day, chief electoral officer (CEO) Aariz Aftab said.
It was a turbulent start, as an EVM and VVPAT machine was thrown into a pond, even before the voting began, around 6.40 am, by some villagers at Kultali in South 24 Parganas district. An FIR was registered, but the polling was not affected, as the EVM was part of a reserved set, the CEO said.
In Jadavpur constituency, supporters of two rival parties clashed at Bhangar and crude bombs were hurled, prompting EC to seek a report. Sporadic violence and clashes between supporters and cadres of various parties in Jadavpur had started even before the elections, and additional security forces had to be rushed at a few places.
At Ganguly Bagan, a female CPM worker was injured in a scuffle, but the CEO said the allegation of rape was untrue. In Baranagar, CAPF jawans assaulted a journalist covering the elections, causing a head injury. EC has asked for a report.
In Sandeshkhali, which has been in the eye of a storm over the past several months, violence erupted late afternoon at Boyamari, as BJP accused TMC men of attacking its polling agents. They came out on the road to protest, alleging apathy of police and central forces. A clash with cops followed, with both sides allegedly pelting stones at each other, causing injuries to some women.
Police fired tear-gas shells and lathi-charged the protesters and whisked away five BJP workers.
BJP candidate Rekha Patra, who rushed to the spot, alleged that Sheikh Shahjahan’s men were terrorising BJP voters. Accusing police of taking sides, she entered into a heated argument with cops. TMC and BJP supporters also clashed at a booth at Agargati in Sandeshkhali-I.
Rest of Sandeshkhali voted in peace, with women turning up at the booths in large numbers. “All these years we were not allowed to vote. I feel elated to have cast my vote for the first time in about 12 years,” said Dipali Sardar of Karnakhali.
“This is the first time I have seen an EVM. In earlier elections, I used to return without casting my vote as it would be already done on my behalf,” said Nilima Haldar of Sarberia.
