6 extra die in West Bengal panchayat ballot violence; demise toll reaches 48

On twelfth July 2023, recent incidents of violence had been reported in West Bengal, leading to six extra casualties, bringing the entire demise toll to 48 for the reason that announcement of the agricultural panchayat elections on June 8. The violence, because of clashes between political get together supporters, has raised issues in regards to the state’s safety state of affairs.

Three people, together with two Indian Secular Front (ISF) supporters, had been allegedly killed in police firing exterior a counting centre in Bhangar, South 24 Parganas district. The victims had been recognized as Rezaul Gazi (23), Hasan Mollah (27), and Raju Mollah (25). While the family and residents accused the police of firing the pictures, the police authorities declined to remark till an investigation is performed.

According to police sources, the violence erupted when Trinamool Congress (TMC) supporters reportedly tried to coerce ISF candidate Jahanara Bibi into admitting defeat, regardless of the official outcomes not but being declared. This led to clashes, with ISF supporters gathering exterior the counting centre and allegedly hurling crude bombs. The police allegedly responded with gunfire, leading to casualties.

In separate incidents, a TMC supporter named Tariqul Sheikh was killed when miscreants threw a bomb at a victory rally within the Khempur panchayat space of Chanchal block in Malda district. Additionally, a TMC employee named Biplab Halder was allegedly killed in Raidighi, South 24 Parganas. Furthermore, a Congress employee named Rajesh Shekhar (28), who was injured throughout polling on eighth July, succumbed to his accidents in a Kolkata hospital.

Amidst the escalating violence, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claimed that 19 individuals, primarily from the TMC, had died in poll-related violence for the reason that announcement of the elections. Banerjee assured that the police can be given a free hand to behave in opposition to these answerable for the violence. She additionally introduced compensation for the households of the deceased.

The TMC has emerged because the clear winner within the panchayat elections, securing over half the seats whereas BJP completed second within the election that was marred by large-scale violence.

A four-member BJP staff led by former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad visited violence-affected areas in West Bengal on Wednesday, twelfth July 2023, and deliberate to submit a report back to get together president JP Nadda.

The incidents of violence in the course of the panchayat polls have raised issues in regards to the deteriorating legislation and order state of affairs in West Bengal. The Calcutta High Court has already ordered the retention of central forces within the state for no less than 10 days after the announcement of ballot outcomes to forestall post-poll clashes. Over 800 firms of central forces have been deployed within the state to keep up peace and safety.