Portraits of violence: The 13 people killed during Bengal panchayat polls

1. TMC supporter in Nadia

TMC supporter Amzad Hossain was killed in Nadia’s Chapra, allegedly by Congress workers. The ruling party alleged that Congress supporters attacked its workers while they were on their way to vote. Eleven TMC workers were seriously injured and admitted to Chapra Primary Health Center. Hossain was declared dead by the doctors on arrival.

The TMC MLA from Chapra, Rukbanur Rahman, said, “Congress miscreants attacked TMC supporters with sharp weapons while they were going to vote. The Congress wants to occupy the area by terror but people will not accept it.”

The Opposition party dismissed the allegation. District Congress leader Sylvi Saha said, “Vote-looting is going on freely in Chapra. There is no police or central force anywhere. Allegations against us are baseless.”

2. TMC worker who was standing in a queue in S 24 Parganas

TMC worker Anisur Ostagar was standing in a queue outside a booth in Basanti in South 24 Parganas district when a bomb was thrown at the people waiting to vote. The 50-year-old resident of Phulmalanch in Basanti was killed in the explosion as others fled. Local resident Mosibur Rahman Ostagar said, “A group of Independent candidates threw bombs. The bomb hit Anisur’s right ear, killing him.”

3. BJP polling agent, youth shot dead in Cooch Behar

BJP polling agent Madhab Biswas was shot dead in Cooch Behar district in north Bengal. “Our polling agent was shot dead inside a polling station in Falimari. Can there be anything worst than that? Such is the law-and-order situation in Bengal,” district BJP president Sukumar Roy told The Indian Express. BJP candidate Maya Barman alleged, “TMC hooligans hurled a bomb at my agent and killed him. They also attacked me. I, however, survived.”

It is alleged that TMC supporters tried to stop Biswas from entering the polling booth, leading to a confrontation. As the situation escalated, the BJP worker was shot dead. The TMC dismissed the allegations.

Meanwhile, a youth identified as Chiranjit Karji died of a bullet injury in Coochbehar’s Dinhata area. Local BJP leaders claimed Karji was their worker although his relatives dismissed the claim

4. Four killed in Murshidabad

Four deaths were reported in Murshidabad district. TMC worker Yasin Sheikh was killed in a suspected bomb attack on Saturday morning in the Nazirpur area while ruling party worker Sabiruddin Sheikh’s body was recovered from a vacant land in Murshidabad’s Khargram. Suspected Congress supporters allegedly killed Sabiruddin with a sharp weapon in the village of Ratanpur Naldip village in the Khagram police station around 3 am on Saturday, the TMC alleged. Some locals alleged that Sheikh was the main accused in the murder of Congress worker Phulchand Sheikh, who was killed on the first day of nomination. The TMC and Sheikh’s family dismissed the allegations.

A Congress worker was killed in the Noawda area after suspected miscreants linked to the TMC threw bombs in the area. Haji Niyakat Ali was first taken to the local primary health centre in critical condition and was referred to the Murshidabad Medical College Hospital. He died there during treatment.

Meanwhile, CPI(M) worker Roshan Ali was killed in Lalgola in Murshidabad while he was out voting. The incident took place at the Mayal Primary School. Ali had gone there to vote and, according to locals, he was allegedly stopped and severely beaten up by TMC workers. The police have sent the body to the Murshidabad Medical College.

5. TMC and CPI(M) workers in Purba Bardhaman

TMC worker Gautam Roy was beaten to death in Purba Bardhaman district’s Katwa area, The ruling party alleged that CPI(M) workers pulled Roy out from a booth and severely beat him. He fell unconscious on the ground. Roy was rushed to the Katwa Sub-District hospital but doctors declared him dead. The CPI(M) denied the murder accusations and claimed the TMC worker died of a heart attack.

Meanwhile, CPI(M) worker Rajibul Hoque was critically injured in an attack by suspected TMC supporters in Purba Bardhaman district’s Aushgram-2 block on Friday evening. He succumbed to his injuries on Saturday morning.

6. TMC candidate and Congress worker in Uttar Dinajpur

TMC panchayat candidate Mohammad Shaheen Shah was murdered in Uttar Dinajpur district’s Chakulia area. He was taken to the Kisanganj Medical College and Hospital in neighbouring Bihar but was declared dead on arrival. Shah’s brother Zulfiqar alleged that Congress workers killed Shah who was also the Chakulia gram panchayat pradhan.

Meanwhile, Congress worker Mohammad Jamiluddin was killed in the district’s Goalpokhar area while polls were underway. His body was left in the Jagirbasti Bazar area. According to sources in the police, a disturbance broke out between TMC and Congress workers during polling in Jagirbasti around noon. The Congress alleged that they tried to stop the ruling party from attempting to capture a booth. Jamiluddin was killed during the clash.

7. TMC worker in Malda

A TMC worker was killed in a bomb attack in the Jisharattola area of Malda district’s Gopalpur village. According to the ruling party, local party president Mohammad Nasir’s uncle Sheikh Malek was killed in the attack by Congress supporters. Nasir was shot in the leg, according to them, and was taken to a local hospital. The Congress denied the allegations and accused the TMC of attempting to create an atmosphere of panic.