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At least eight people were killed and several others injured during panchayat elections in West Bengal.
Despite security arrangements — 70,000 security personnel, including forces from Assam, Odisha, Sikkim and Andhra Pradesh were deployed — the elections were marred by instances of violence and allegations of booth capturing.
Nearly 35 per cent of the 58,792 seats in the three-tier rural body election have gone uncontested.
Till 5 pm, 72.5 per cent polling was recorded, a State Election Commission (SEC) official said.
The counting of votes will take place on May 17.
Legal wrangle
The panchayat elections are being held after a protracted legal battle in the Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court, involving the State Election Commission (SEC), the ruling Trinamool Congress and the opposition parties.
South Bengal in flames
Less than three hours after polling began, the SEC received complaints of violence from several districts. It has asked the police to take action, officials said.
Reports have also surfaced of a couple affiliated to the CPI(M) being burnt alive on Sunday night in Kakdwip, South 24 Parganas district. While the CPI(M) has blamed the Trinamool Congress, the ruling party leadership has denied charges. The area remains tense.
In the Bhangar area of the same district, police resorted to lathi-charge and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse a mob, the officials said. The SEC has asked the police to submit a report regarding the incident.
Television footage from Basanti block of South-24 Parganas showed masked gunmen roaming outside polling stations.
In North-24 Parganas, the BJP accused the Trinamool of letting loose a reign of terror, especially in the Amdanga area. SEC sources said a few people were injured in clashes that broke out between two groups in Amdanga. Reports from Birbhum claimed that masked men carrying weapons and sticks were seen intimidating voters outside some of the booths.
North is no different
In the Dinhata area of Coochbehar district, at least 15 people, including voters, were injured after clashes broke out between two groups outside a polling station, sources said.
Violence and instances of intimidation was also reported from areas in Jalpaiguri and Alipuduar districts.
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