KOLKATA 22 APRIL: Although the Election Commission put in place several measures to curb incidents of violence , the sixth phase of the Assembly election in the 42 Assembly constituencies still witnessed stray incidents of violence. Also, there were even allegations hurled at the state police over the opening fire at villagers in Ronoghat in Bagda, North 24 Paraganas that left three villagers injured.
According to EC , police was forced to fire for self defence as theyfound that a group of 250 people from a political party with sharpweapons on their hand try to destroy government property. As a resultof the firing , one people was injured.
Sources in EC said that three rounds of firing was conducted by thepolice to disperse the mob.
As a result of the clash, between police and the activists three police personnel was injured.
Allegations have been levelled against the CRPF for firing and injuring TMC workers in Ashoknagar. However, the EC denied such allegations.
From morning stray incidents of violence between the Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party supporters were reported in various parts of Amdanga, Bijapur in North 24 Paraganas, Barrackpore.
A fresh clash between the TMC and BJP workers was reported from the Uttar Dinajpur Chopra area. Allegations were levelled for heckling polling agents of both parties. Both the parties also denied using firearms, though. In Raiganj, one TMC worker also sustained bullet injuries. Allegedly, he was beaten up by BJP miscreants.
In the Halisahar area of the Naihati constituency, the saffron party alleged that bombs were hurled at a local BJP leader’s residence. Then, the TMC and BJP traded charges against each other.
According to BJP leader, Subhrangshu Roy, TMC leaders attacked them and abused them. Also, they indulged in forcefully attempting to enter a polling booth and also tried to influence the voters there. Meanwhile, TMC has lodged a complaint to EC against Subhrangshu Roy that the film director-turned-TMC candidate Raj Chakraborty was allegedly gheraoed in the Barrackpore constituency by BJP supporters. Further, he also accused him of trying to influence voters.
At Lichubagan in Barrackpore, another separate clash broke out between TMC and BJP supporters. In another incident, allegations have been levelled against TMC supporters for assaulting and causing a leg fracture of a BJP worker. Around five supporters from both political parties were left with injuries post the clash. In Amdanga, crude bombs were found too. Later, there was another conflict between the BJP and TMC supporters here and even this left supporters from both parties, injured.
According to the Election Commission, till 5 pm 79.09 per cent voting was recorded from the 14,480 polling stations spread across 43 Assembly constituencies in the sixth phase. In addition, allegations have been levelled against the CRPF for firing and injuring TMC workers in Ashoknagar. However, the electoral body denied such allegations.