West Bengal Assembly Elections Highlights: After poll violence, EC bans entry of politicians in Cooch Behar for next 72 hours

West Bengal Elections 2021 Highlights: The fourth phase of West Bengal elections saw 76.14 per cent voter turnout even as multiple incidents of poll violence rocked the polling process in the state. The Election Commission had to adjourn voting in Polling Station 126 of Sitalkuchi seat in Cooch Behar after five people were killed in poll-related violence in two separate incidents.

The EC has banned entry of politicians in Cooch Behar for next 72 hours, saying it could cause law and order issues in the area. The poll body also directed the Union Home Ministry to deploy 71 additional companies of Central Armed Police forces (CAPFs) for the conduct of remaining four phases of polls.

While Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply hurt” by the Cooch Behar incident, CM Mamata Banerjee accused ‘central forces’ of shooting down the people and said she would hold a protest rally in Cooch Behar tomorrow. She also said a CID probe would be ordered in the case and demanded the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah. Follow LIVE Updates in Bengali

In Pictures | In West Bengal, the fourth phase of polls is marred by violence

Banerjee said, “The CRPF opened fire on people standing in a queue to vote, killing 4 in Sitalkuchi. I have been apprehending that the forces would act in such manner for long. As BJP knows it has lost the people’s mandate, they are conspiring to kill people.”