Clashes continue in Bengal
A day after second phase polling in Bengal, the situation continues to remain tense.
Reports of fresh clashes have been reported from Chopra under Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency. A class seven student has been shot at foot when he found himself at crossfire during BJP-TMC clash in the area. Both the parties have blamed each other for the unfortunate incident. On the other hand, Nadia nodal polling officer, in-charge of all EVMs and VVPATs have gone missing from yesterday.
According to Zee 24 Ghanta, the clashes started at Makdumi area of Chopra. TMC workers protested against presence of BJP workers there and soon situation became volatile. At that time, class seven student Mohammed Abdul was crossing road when a bullet struck his left leg. He was rushed to the local hospital. According to doctors, his leg is badly injured.
TMC is claiming that BJP started firing when they protested against their attack. BJP, expectedly is putting blame on TMC.
Villagers in Chopra had blocked National Highway 31 when they were not allowed to vote on Thursday. RAF had to be roped and villagers pelted stones at them which lead to police firing blanks to disperse crowd. Finally, villagers voted in presence of central forces.
After the second phase of polls in West Bengal, the chief electoral officer (CEO), West Bengal Ariz Aftab said other than a few minor incidents, polling in three Lok Sabha constituencies was largely peaceful.
"The overall poll per cent is 76.42, but this figure will change after we get the final statistics," Aftab said.
A ruckus between TMC and BJP led to breaking of EVM in Chopra under Raiganj constituency. At several booths it was alleged that black adhesive tapes were stuck beside the BJP candidate's name and symbol. Voters at Dighi colony SSK in Chopra, booth number 28/180 alleged they were being intimidated and asked to leave by some leading to a clash. Voters, demanding Central forces, had put up a road blockade on the NH.
In Darjeeling, Jan Andolan Party chief Harka Bahadur Chetri was seen using a cell phone inside the booth at Kalimpong as he went to cast vote. "The presiding officer of the booth was changed later," Aftab said.
At Raiganj, CPM candidate Md Salim's vehicle came under attack by some miscreants. At Jalpaiguri a group allegedly entered a booth and opened fire. CEO said the presiding officer concerned said there had been no such incident but still they have started an investigation.
1. Poll officer goes missing
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Nadia district’s Nodal election officer Arnab Ray has gone missing from yesterday. He went to Bipradas Pas Choudhury Polytechnic College for his poll duty. Post lunch, he couldn’t be found. His official vehicle is still lying there. He was incharge of all the EVMs and VVPATs. Meanwhile police has begun investigation and the DM, SP besides the election commission are looking into it.
2. 5-0 in first two rounds, says Mukul Roy
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Senior BJP leader Mukul Roy has claimed that BJP is winning all the five seats in Bengal where polling has taken place so far. Speaking to reporters, Roy who was once Mamata's right-hand man in TMC said that BJP has clean swept in the first two rounds.
3. Salim's car was damaged
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Raiganj CPI(M) MP and candidate in this poll, Mohammed Salim's car was vandalised on Thursday. Salim has alleged that TMC is behind it.
