At least twelve people were killed in West Bengal as widespread violence roiled the polling process in Panchayat elections today. Polling booths were vandalised and ballot papers set on fire at places as people queued up to vote for the three-tier panchayat polls.
The men were hacked, shot, or hit by crude bombs.
Among those killed were seven workers of the ruling Trinamool Congress, two from the CPI(M), one each from the BJP and Congress, and one person with no political affiliations, Indian Express reported.
Among those killed, most are Muslims.
“9 Muslims among the 10 dead in Bengal Panchayat violence. Some from TMC, some CPM, some INC & some even BJP worker. I always see Bengal political violence from this prism. It’s not about party but religious identity of a marginalised community that define these dead. Shame!,” read a tweet by academic Adil Hossain.
“Everyone should introspect that what kind of social & economic life they have left for Muslims that for them to manage life resources the choice is between becoming political gunda or migrant workers. And Muslim community leaders are to be blamed as well for not speaking on it,” Hossain said.
The incidents were reported from several districts such as Murshidabad, Cooch Behar, Malda, South 24 Parganas, North Dinajpur, and Nadia.
Polling began at 7 am in 73,887 seats in rural areas of the state, with 5.67 crore people deciding the fate of around 2.06 lakh candidates.
As the situation across the state spiralled out of control, Governor C V Ananda Bose headed out to take stock of the law and order.
“I was told that murders are taking place, gunshots are heard, people are being beaten to death. Yes, these are stray cases, but even one case where there is bloodshed should cause concern to all of us. This is a most sacred day for democracy, where the ordinary man in the street is empowered to vote according to the Constitution. Elections should be held without violence. Whenever I have received complaints, I have sent it to the competent authorities – that is, the state election commissioner. In all fairness, I can say I get an instant reply from him. Today I want to tell the people to go out and vote. Please exercise your right. Your vote alone can solve the situation. Vote according to your conscience,” he said.
