Violence Erupts During First Phase of West Bengal Assembly Elections

In Kolkata, the first phase of voting for the West Bengal Assembly elections has turned violent. While a large number of voters are arriving at polling booths, serious incidents of arson, brawls, and vandalism are being reported from various parts of the state.

Areas such as Murshidabad, Cooch Behar, Siliguri, and Malda are witnessing significant unrest. In Murshidabad, rioters attacked the vehicle of Humayun Kabir with sticks and bricks.

Chaos erupted in Nauda, Murshidabad, when rioters targeted the convoy of AJUP leader and candidate Humayun Kabir with bricks and sticks. A bloody clash occurred between TMC and AJUP workers, and Kabir had a heated exchange with police officials, demanding a high-level investigation into the attack.

In the Tufanganj area of Cooch Behar, a large crowd gathered during voting, escalating tensions. To control the situation, Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel intervened, using batons to disperse the crowd. Reports suggest that some anti-social elements attempted to intimidate voters, prompting the use of force by the security personnel.

A disturbing incident was reported from the Kumarganj assembly constituency in South Dinajpur, where BJP candidate Suvendu Sarkar was allegedly attacked by supporters of the Trinamool Congress (TMC). Sarkar had received information about 'booth jamming' at a specific polling station. Upon arriving with his team, they were assaulted with sticks and punches. Sarkar claimed that TMC goons attacked him in the presence of police.

In Malda, chaos ensued outside the polling station at Baluchara High School in the Mothabari assembly constituency due to a malfunctioning EVM. Voters expressed their anger over the delay in the arrival of election commission officials, surrounding and holding the officials hostage. Many voters were seen pulling at the official's arm and engaging in scuffles.

In Harishchandrapur, Malda district, a violent clash broke out between two factions of the TMC. The dispute escalated to the point where significant damage occurred at a TMC campaign office in the ancestral village of state minister Tajamul Hussain. TMC leader Swapan Ali made sensational allegations that Hussain and his supporters were openly campaigning for the Congress party. He claimed that under the minister's orders, supporters attacked TMC workers, tore down party flags, and damaged banners.

In Siliguri, a confrontation occurred between TMC and BJP workers outside polling booth number 26/237 at Jagdish Chandra Vidyapith. What began as a debate quickly escalated into a physical altercation. BJP candidate Shankar Ghosh was present at the scene during the incident. CAPF personnel promptly intervened, dispersing the crowd and restoring order, allowing the voting process to resume smoothly.

TMC candidate Malay Ghatak from Asansol North claimed that five special trains arrived in the state the night before voting, four from Gujarat and one from Madhya Pradesh. Additionally, buses from Bihar were reportedly used to bring in outsiders. His team has gathered photos and evidence of these buses and suspicious activities, which have been reported to the election commissioner.

In Jamuria assembly constituency, a controversy arose over EVMs. Allegations surfaced that EVMs were found in a vehicle parked near a roadside dhaba in the Sripur area, intensifying the electoral atmosphere. Local residents and opposition leaders claimed that several reserve EVMs were stored in a vehicle marked 'On Election Duty - Jamuria AC 279,' but no security personnel were present at the scene.