The aftermath of Saturday’s violence in rural Bengal continued on Sunday as post-panchayat poll clashes erupted between political miscreants from rival parties, involving the use of bombs and bullets. The violence reportedly spread across Murshidabad, Malda, East Midnapore, and North and South 24 Parganas.
The death toll, which stood at 15 on Saturday, rapidly rose to 20 by Sunday afternoon. In Malda, a TMC worker was allegedly stabbed to death by some Congress members. Responding to the escalating situation, the State Election Commission and the police deployed Central forces in Salar and Shamsherganj in Murshidabad, where the civil-war-like scenario persisted throughout the day.
The single-phase panchayat elections held on Saturday witnessed massive violence, resulting in 15-16 deaths and over 350 cases of grievous injuries. Numerous people, particularly Opposition workers from various districts, claimed to have fled their homes due to threats from the police and Trinamool Congress members.
Complaints came from Harischandrapur and Manikchak in Malda, Salar, and Shamsherganj in Murshidabad, De Ganga and Amdanga in North 24 Parganas, and Basanti in South 24 Parganas.
Among those killed was 62-year-old Ajahar Lashkar, an active TMC worker who was injured in a clash in Basanti. A clash between the TMC and the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) in Basanti, South 24 Parganas, left ten people injured. Lashkar is currently receiving treatment in the ICU.
“We are unable to leave our residences as there is constant bombing outside our houses,” said a villager from Manikchak in Malda.
In Shamsherganj, the wife of an Independent candidate stated, “My husband has fled the village, and they are bombing our houses. They are threatening to kill the entire family.” When asked to specify who “they” referred to, the woman whispered “TMC.”
The Election Commission revealed that around 80.71% of votes were cast, but reports of irregularities emerged, leading to re-polling in certain areas. The exact number of booths requiring re-polling will be disclosed later. The State Secretary of the CPI(M) accused the Election Commissioner of favoritism toward Mamata Banerjee’s family and blamed the Central Government for violence and deaths. The delayed deployment of central forces was attributed to non-cooperation from the SEC. Political parties exchanged accusations, with the CPI(M) and TMC criticizing the BJP’s actions in other states and demanding re-polling, while the TMC spokesperson dismissed the opposition’s claims.