Torched, 'Stolen', Destroyed: How Ballot Boxes Bore The Brunt Of Poll-Violence In Bengal Rural Elections

Across the state, shocking visuals emerged where people could be seen running away with ballot boxes, pouring water on them, or simply setting them afire.   

Women cast their votes for Panchayat elections at a polling station, in Nadia district of West Bengal. ( Image Source :PTI )

New Delhi: As violence ruled the roost amid polling for panchayats in West Bengal on Saturday, even the ballot boxes were a casualty. Across the state, shocking visuals emerged where people could be seen running away with ballot boxes, pouring water on them, or simply setting them afire.   

According to a report by news agency PTI, ballot boxes were destroyed and ballot papers were set on fire at a booth in Baravita Government Primary School in Cooch Behar’s Dinhata. At another booth in Barnachina, locals torched a ballot box along with ballot papers, as they alleged false voting.

OMG 😱
Boy runs away with Ballot Box at Bullet Speed in Bengal… #ItHappensOnlyin #Bengal #PanchayatElection #WestBengalPanchayatPolls pic.twitter.com/JzGTzyCX1x

— MANOGYA LOIWAL मनोज्ञा लोईवाल (@manogyaloiwal) July 8, 2023

According to reports, people threw the ballot papers into a drain during a scuffle to snatch ballot boxes from each other in North 24 Parganas.

VIDEO | West Bengal panchayat elections: People pour water on ballot boxes in Sindrani. pic.twitter.com/OQwu3uVgX9

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 8, 2023

In Murshidabad, several people alleged that they were not allowed to vote. Later, they were escorted to the polling booth by the police. Locals shared their ordeal on how they had to run away from the booths due to violence.

#WATCH | Polling booth at Baravita Primary School in Sitai, Coochbehar vandalised and ballot papers set on fire. Details awaited.

Voting for Panchayat elections in West Bengal began at 7 am today. pic.twitter.com/m8ws7rX5uG

— ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2023

Meanwhile, Governor CV Ananda Bose visited various areas in North 24 Parganas and met the injured people.

"People requested me to stop my motorcade on the way. There were a lot of tales to tell, they told me about murders happening around them, goons not allowing them to go to polling booths, and also about presiding officers not listening to them. These are stray cases but even one incident of bloodshed should cause concern to all of us," PTI quoted Bose as saying.

"This is the most sacred day for democracy. These are stray incidents but there should be a stop to it," he added.

Amid reports of widespread violence, Leader of Opposition in Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari urged that President's Rule be implemented in the state, news agency ANI reported.

Speaking to ANI, Adhikari said, "The governor made the biggest mistake by appointing Rajiva Sinja...It is 3 pm and over 15 people have died, they were killed by TMC goons...Centre should intervene with either Article 355 or 356...we want action from custodian of constitution."