Violence in Murshidabad as TMC and Humayun Kabir supporters clash on polling day
Murshidabad (West Bengal) [India], April 23 (HBTV): Supporters of the Trinamool Congress and Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AUJP) founder Humayun Kabir clashed violently on Thursday following a crude bomb incident.
The supporters attacked each other with lathis, pelted stones, and damaged vehicles parked along the roadside. Security forces intervened promptly and brought the situation under control, dispersing those involved in the violence.
The clash comes after Humayun Kabir visited the Nowda area earlier in the day, where crude bombs were allegedly hurled late Wednesday night ahead of the first phase of polling in West Bengal.
Kabir staged a sit-in protest, alleging that a police officer had lathi-charged his supporters during the night and demanded the officer’s removal. He also urged the Election Commission to take action against Trinamool Congress workers involved in the clash.
'We want the Nowda police officer who lathi-charged my supporters overnight. This should not be done. The Election Commission should take action on them. A new officer should be posted there. Until then, I will continue my protest. My people are being hit and threatened. This should not happen. The Election Commission should take action against the TMC workers who did all this,' Kabir said.
The Election Commission has sought a report from the District Magistrate and District Election Officer regarding the tensions in Nowda between Kabir’s supporters and Trinamool Congress workers, officials said.
Security personnel were deployed to manage the situation as tensions escalated between party workers and police during the polling process. Police said they used mild lathi-charge to disperse sections of the crowd but denied that the situation went out of control.
An eyewitness to the crude bomb incident said, 'This incident probably happened between 8:00 and 8:30 pm. A woman was injured. We cannot say who was involved. We are very scared; another incident could happen at any moment. Leaders had come here, so it is possible that tensions may rise again.'
West Bengal is witnessing a high-voltage contest between the incumbent Trinamool Congress, seeking a fourth consecutive term, and the BJP, which is aiming to form the government after a strong performance in the previous elections.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is seeking another term, while the BJP, which secured 77 seats in the last election, is making a renewed push for power in the state.
In West Bengal, elections are being held for 294 Assembly seats. According to the Election Commission of India, the first phase covers 152 constituencies, while the second phase includes 142 seats, with a total of 1,478 candidates in the fray in this phase.
The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.
(ANI)