Crude bombs, clashes as violence mars final phase of polls in West Bengal

Polling was held in nine seats in West Bengal amid tight security arrangements – Dum Dum, Barasat, Basirhat, Jaynagar, Mathurapur, Diamond Harbour, Jadavpur, Kolkata Dakshin and Kolkata Uttar.

“About 69.89 per cent average polling was recorded till 5 pm. The polling process was not disrupted. However, some isolated incidents took place during polling, which were addressed by the commission,” said an election commission official.

An Assembly bypoll is also being held in Baranagar Assembly constituency under the Dum Dum Lok Sabha seat. About 66.70 % polling was recorded in this Assembly segment till 5 pm.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee exercised her franchise at Mitra Institution around 4 pm. After casting her vote, Banerjee flashed the victory sign. She was also seen interacting with the voters standing in queues.

TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee also went to Mitra Institution in Kolkata Dakshin constituency to cast his vote in the morning.

“People are voting in a festive mood in all nine constituencies. The weather has also improved and there is not much heat. This will allow people to come out in large numbers and exercise their franchise. I hope they give a befitting reply to the Centre for depriving Bengal of funds in the last five years. There will be a reflection of that in today’s voting,” he said after coming out of the polling booth.

In Jadavpur, crude bombs were hurled as clashes broke out between party workers. The Election Commission has sought an action taken report in the incident.

At booth numbers 40 and 41 in Kultali in South 24 Parganas district, an EVM and VVPAT machine were thrown into a pond. However, the Election Commission said these were reserve machines.

“The polling process has not been vitiated. Machines kept in reserve were thrown in the water. We have sought a report from the presiding officer,” said a senior EC official.

In Sandeshkhali, women protesters blocked the Basanti highway alleging police atrocities during the polls. Trouble started post-noon in Goyarmari village, when a TMC worker was injured in a clash with BJP workers. He received head injuries.

Police detained five villagers after the incident, leading to a protest led by women. Police baton charged the protesters and BJP workers, who pelted stones at the cops. Police also had to lob tear gas shells to disperse the protesters.

Banirupa Sana (60), one of the protesting women, said, “We have been getting threats since last night from TMC goons, and now police are behaving like goons.” Her husband and son were detained by the police.