Violence continues to remain unabated & unchecked in West Bengal ahead of panchayat elections in the state. On Tuesday, the clash between ISF and TMC workers broke out at the mela ground in front of the BDO office of Block 2, Bhangar. Around 100 crude bombs were hurled in the clash that ensued while filing nominations for the upcoming elections were on.
Several vehicles were vandalised & stones were hurled targeting the Police. Both parties blamed each other and said several of their members had been injured.
Calcutta High Court also ordered deployment of central forces for West Bengal panchayat polls along with ordering the SEC to install CCTV cameras at every booth and corner of the counting centers.
Sources on the ground say violence took place as ISF candidates sought to file their nomination papers for the July 8 panchayat elections. Several incidents of violence were reported across large swathes in West Bengal since the nomination process started on June 9. Prohibitory orders were issued & Section 144 has been imposed areas near the nomination filing centre.
While speaking on today’s violent clash, Bhangar MLA Naushad Siddiqui said ” Since yesterday, TMC workers have been making efforts to stop us from filing nominations.” He also alleged the local administration has been hands on with the ruling government to mar the election process.
West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose said ‘ All stakeholders who are responsible for the conduct of panchayat elections in West Bengal have the responsibility to ensure peace and harmony in society.”
Earlier West Bengal Police arrested two people in connection with the murder of a Congress worker that occurred at Murshidabad’s Khargram.
National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRC) also took suo-motu cognizance of a media report about the incidents of carious election-related violence in West Bengal, where people from political parties have been targeted.
Union minister Anurag Thakur while attacking the Mamata Banerjee led administration on Monday alleged that violence, appeasement, anarchy and corruption have become the “new normal” in the state of West Bengal.
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