West Bengal: Sporadic incidents of violence reported from some Lok Sabha seats during polling | India News – Times of India

As the sixth phase of polling started in West Bengal‘s eight Lok Sabha constituencies, reports of violence and unrest have surfaced, indicating a tense electoral atmosphere in the state.
The Election Commission has received 954 complaints by 11 am, predominantly from political parties alleging malfunctions in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and obstruction of polling agents’ entry into booths.
In Ghatal constituency, clashes erupted between supporters of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with BJP candidate Hiran Chatterjee accusing TMC of impeding the voting process by preventing their booth agents from entering.
“Sporadic incidents of violence have been reported from various parts of Kanthi constituency as well,” said BJP candidate Soumendu Adhikari, who accused TMC and central forces of assaulting voters.
In Midnapore, BJP candidate Agnimitra Paul faced hostility from TMC activists, resulting in a scuffle later dispersed by central forces.
Moreover, former Calcutta High Court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay faced protest upon arrival at a polling booth in Tamluk, while BJP candidate and Union Minister Subhas Sarkar encountered demonstrations during a booth visit in Bankura.
Tragically, the pre-poll tension turned fatal with the reported killing of Trinamool Congress worker Sheikh Moibul in Mahishadal, Purba Medinipur district, allegedly by unidentified assailants.
Despite the turbulent atmosphere, the Election Commission maintained that voting remained peaceful, with a voter turnout of 36.88% recorded by 11 am.