Question mark on peaceful elections in Bengal, violence erupts at several places

Kolkata: Several districts reported violence, clashes, vandalism, attacks, tension at polling stations, and malfunctioning of voting machines during the first phase of voting for the West Bengal Assembly elections on Thursday. Voting for 152 seats in 16 districts began at 7 am, but several sensitive areas witnessed tension from the start. These multiple incidents have raised doubts about the claims of peaceful elections.

The most serious incident occurred in the Labhpur Assembly constituency in Birbhum district, where the Trinamool Congress was accused of attacking a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) polling agent, Vishwajit Mandal, who suffered serious injuries. The incident led to widespread tension in the area, prompting the deployment of security forces.

In the Nowada area of Murshidabad district, tension prevailed from morning as supporters of two political parties clashed. Allegations were made that a leader's convoy was attacked, their vehicle vandalized, and a polling agent's vehicle was pelted with stones. Additionally, an attempt was made to stop the convoy by placing bamboo sticks on the road. After the situation deteriorated, central security forces took charge and brought the situation under control after considerable effort. Later, the concerned leader sat on a protest dharna on the road in protest.

Reports of tension also emerged from the Mathabhanga area in Cooch Behar district. The BJP alleged that Trinamool candidates were sitting within 50 meters of the polling station, attempting to influence voters. Allegations of distributing money and providing facilities to voters were also made. A heated discussion between the two parties ensued, which later turned into slogan-shouting and clashes. Police and central forces intervened to bring the situation under control.

In the Narayangarh area of West Midnapore district, Trinamool leveled serious allegations against the central security forces. It was claimed that after voting began, when party workers arrived at the party office for lunch, security forces entered and manhandled them, resulting in injuries to three people. However, the security forces have not officially responded to the allegations.

Meanwhile, in the Sareskola area of West Midnapore district, an elderly woman who came to cast her vote at booth number 225 fell ill after voting and was administered medical aid, but later died.

A complaint was received about a malfunctioning voting machine at booth number 101 in the Maheshmari area of the Jangipur Assembly constituency in Murshidabad. The issue caused a significant delay in voting, resulting in long queues of voters and unrest among the public. A technical team was later called to repair the machine.

At booth number 235 in Siliguri, a young woman alleged that when she arrived to vote, she was told that her vote had already been cast. The woman left the polling station, disappointed. A complaint was filed after the incident, and the BJP candidate demanded an investigation into the surveillance footage.

Complaints have also emerged about the behavior of central forces in the Haldia area. A candidate alleged that at some places, security personnel were treating voters with harshness and misbehavior, causing people to feel uneasy. However, the administration has described the voting process as organized and peaceful.