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14 killed in Bengal panchayat poll violence

Ballot boxes and papers strewn on the floor at a booth in Barasat during Sunday's panchayat elections in West Bengal. — Photo: Sushanta Patronobish

KOLKATA MAY 11. Fourteen persons, including seven CPI(M) activists, were killed in clashes between rival political groups as widespread violence and snatching of ballots marred panchayat polls in West Bengal today even as an estimated 65 per cent of voters exercised their franchise.

Among those killed were two women activists of SUCI, besides two Congress activists and the father of a Trinamool Congress candidate, the DIG of Police, N.C. Ghosh, said.

Mr. Ghosh said two SUCI women activists were killed at Joynagar and two CPI(M) workers at Canning in poll clashes in South 24 Parganas district.

The father of the Trinamool Congress candidate for Khamarpara panchayat Samiti, Haji Anwar Ali, was shot dead at his home in Madanpur in Barasat in North 24 Parganas, he said.

In Sibdaspur, also in North 24 Parganas, the CPI(M) supporter, Sheikh Salim, was killed in a related clash. There was no polling in the area till noon following the incident. Another CPI(M) activist was killed in Jalpaiguri district and a Congress worker at Thalarpur in Nadia district, he said.

At Murshidabad, two CPI(M) supporters were killed when they clashed with Congress activists, while the Congress supporter, Manirul Sheikh, was killed at Ranitala when bombs were hurled at people waiting to cast their ballots in front of two booths.

The State Electoral Officer, Ajay Sinha, said an estimated 65 per cent of the electorate cast their votes. — PTI

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