Bengal Panchayat Polls: Three Shot Dead As Violence Continues On Last Day Of Filing Of Nominations
Two persons were killed at Bhangore in South 24 Parganas district, while another was gunned down by miscreants at Chopra in Uttar Dinajpur district.
New Delhi: Three people were shot dead and several others injured in two districts of West Bengal amid violence over filing of nominations for the panchayat elections on Thursday, news agency PTI reported. According to the report, two persons were killed at Bhangore in South 24 Parganas district, while another was gunned down by miscreants at Chopra in Uttar Dinajpur district.
According to CPI(M), the deceased were supporters of the Left Front and the Congress, who were shot at when they were on their way to filing nominations.
CPI(M) state secretary Md Salim alleged that the Trinamool Congress was behind the attack. Taking to Twitter, he wrote, "Activists and candidates have been fired upon by TMC goons just now in North Dinajpur's Chopra block. Left-INC supporters were going to Block office for filing nomination #PanchayatElection2023."
The ruling TMC, has however, refuted the allegations.
State Election Commissioner (SEC) Rajiva Sinha declined to comment on the incident and said that he is yet to receive any report on it.
Meanwhile, massive violence erupted in Bhangar Block-2 after the timing of panchayat nomination ended at 3pm. Unidentified miscreants bombed and set bikes on fire, as per reports.
Earlier, a clash broke out between two groups in West Bengal’s South 24 Pargana during filing of nomination for the panchayat polls, said the police. The mob also attacked police personnel as well who received minor injuries and were undergoing treatment, they added. Around 18 people have been arrested in connection with the incident and a probe is underway, said Dibakar Das, Canning Sub-Divisional Police Officer, reported ANI.
"There are several blocks where candidates are not able to file nominations. State Election Commission is not working properly, they are not allowing Central Forces to take charge," alleged West Bengal Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Suvendhu Adhikari.
It is to be noted that polling for nearly 75,000 seats in the three-tier Panchayati Raj system will be held on July 8.
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