At least nine political workers have been killed in the violence in the state.
With Panchayat elections in West Bengal scheduled for 8 July, supporters of all political parties are armed with guns and bombs and shedding each other’s blood across the state. Already, at least nine political workers have been killed in political violence.
Five people, allegedly Congress workers, were arrested at Margram in Birbhum on Saturday in connection with the making of crude bombs. Bombs and raw materials were seized. One Alim Sheikh died while making crude bombs in Beldanga in Murshidabad. Locals alleged that Alim Sheikh was a hired criminal brought in from outside the district. In Ghola in North 24-Parganas district, the CPIM accused activists of the Trinamool Congress of destroying its wall writings. In Dantan in West Midnapore district, a BJP worker and candidate were allegedly beaten up by TMC workers.
State BJP president Sukanta Majumdar accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of using violence to intimidate and suppress opposition supporters. Majumdar said: “The TMC is resorting to violence because they know that they are losing the elections. They are trying to scare away our supporters and rig the polls. We will not let them get away with this. We will fight back and ensure that the elections are free and fair. The violence in West Bengal is a threat to democracy.”
He has urged the Election Commission to take action against the TMC and ensure that the elections are conducted in a peaceful manner. He alleged that the Trinamool Congress workers were attacking BJP workers and their families and destroying BJP’s campaign materials in different parts of state.
Earlier this week, two Congress workers were beaten up allegedly by TMC activists at Mayureshwar in Birbhum district, while a CPIM worker died in Chopra in inter-party violence. Bombs were also hurled in Canning in South 24-Parganas while a BJP worker was allegedly killed by TMC in Dinhata in Cooch Behar district in north Bengal. Sporadic violence has been reported from Bhangar and Budge Budge in South 24-Parganas and Minakhan in North 24-Parganas, with the BJP, the Left and the Congress accusing the ruling Trinamool Congress of preventing their candidates from filing nominations. Reports of violence have come from Murshidabad, Birbhum, East Midnapore, East Burdwan, Coochbehar, North and South 24-Parganas. A few days ago, a mob entered a Block Development Office at Bhangar in South 24 Parganas and assaulted Bidyut Ghosh, a Government employee, for allegedly distributing nomination forms to Opposition candidates. A local Trinamool Congress leader was caught with a handgun in Murshidabad district.
All political parties, the TMC, the BJP, the Congress and the Left with their newly minted ally, the Indian Secular Front (ISF), have pushed their private armies into action while accusing the other of fomenting violence. Bhangar in South 24-Parganas has been a hotbed of disturbances since the last Assembly elections when the debutant political outfit, the ISF, unexpectedly routed the Trinamul Congress and its president Nowshad Siddiqui was elected MLA.
TMC’s violence has been allegedly masterminded by Arabul Islam, a local strongman, and MLA Showat Mollah who, ironically, enjoys Z+ security from the State. The violence in Bhangar has had a devastating impact on the community, dominated by Muslims. “Many people have been displaced from their homes, and businesses have been forced to close. The violence has also created a climate of fear and intimidation, making it difficult for people to go about their daily lives,” alleged MLA Nowshad Siddiqui. The Election Commission has said that it is taking the allegations of violence seriously and is investigating them. The Commission has also deployed central forces to West Bengal to help ensure that the elections are conducted in a peaceful manner.
TMC spokesman Kunal Ghosh denied allegations that his party workers were indulging in election violence. He accused the BJP of spreading false propaganda and trying to create a law and order situation in the state. Ghosh said: “The BJP is trying to create a false narrative of violence in West Bengal. They are doing this because they know that they are losing the elections. They are trying to scare away our supporters and rig the polls. We will not let them get away with this. We will fight back and ensure that the elections are free and fair.”
Ghosh has also said that the TMC is committed to ensuring free and fair elections in West Bengal. He has said that the party has asked its supporters to refrain from violence and to cooperate with the police. The allegations of election violence in West Bengal have been investigated by the Election Commission. The Commission has said that it has found no evidence of widespread violence. However, the Commission has also said that there have been some isolated incidents of violence. The Election Commission has urged all parties to ensure that their supporters refrain from violence. The Commission has also said that it will take action against anyone who is found to be involved in violence.