West Bengal Panchayat Elections Update: Eight People killed in Pre-Poll Violence, 41.51% Voting Till 1 PM

Kolkata, May 14: Around eight people were killed as part of the pre-poll violence in West Bengal on Monday, the day of the ongoing state panchayat poll. The deaths have been reported in the separate incidents of violence in North 24 Parganas, Nadia, South 24 Parganas and Murshidabad districts of the state.

According to news reports, in South 24 Parganas, three people were killed in poll-related violence. While in Namkhana area, CPI(M) supporter Debu Das and his wife Usha died after their house was set on fire in the early hours of Monday morning. In addition to that,  Arif Hussain Gazi, a Trinamool Congress supporter was shot dead at Kultali area in the same district.

While other two people have been killed at Nakashipara and Shantipur in State’s Nadia district, the death of one person was reported from Amdanga in North 24 Parganas and Beldanga in Murshidabad.

Meanwhile, drama ensued after Trinamool Congress leader and Minister for North Bengal development Rabindranath Ghosh was caught on camera slapping a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporter in Cooch Behar district, which led to a significant controversy to break out. While clashes were reported at Polerhat II area of Bhangar in South 24 Paraganas and Keshpur in State’s Paschim Medinipur district along with Cooch Behar's Dinhata area. At a few places, miscreants set ballot papers on fire and threw ballot box in ponds.

Apart from all controversies, about six crore electors are expected to vote in today's panchayat poll. Wherein about 41.51 percent voters have cast their vote till 1 pm as per the Times of India.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 14, 2018 05:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).