Atleast Four people were shot dead Saturday morning in Bengal’s Cooch Behar district in a clash with security forces outside a polling booth.
The clashes took place as 44 seats in the state vote in the fourth phase of assembly elections in West Bengal. The Trinamool Congress alleged that five of its party supporters were killed in firing by central forces.
The Election Commission on Saturday adjourned polling at the booth in Sitalkuchi constituency, where the violence took place.
Close to 34% turnout was recorded till 11.30 am in the fourth phase of state elections.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee slammed security forces for firing at TMC workers. “CRPF [Central Reserve Police Force] have killed voters standing in the queue, where do they get so much of audacity?” Banerjee accused at an election rally today.
“BJP knows that they have lost so they are killing voters and workers.”
“What happened in Cooch Behar is sad… I offer condolences to bereaved families. Mamata Didi and her goons are jittery because of ground swell of support for the BJP,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded in a election rally.
“Modi- Shah you desperate duo. You thugs. If 5 were not enough, 3 more shot and killed by central forces. Just got the tragic news. This is your ‘Sonar Bangla’ ! Bengal won’t ever forgive you,” Trinamool MP Derek O’Brien wrote on twitter.
Bengal, which has been prone to poll-related violence, is electing its next government in a record eight-phased elections which began last month. Results will be out on May 2.
