Violence over panchayat polls continues in Bengal

Violence over filing of nomination papers for panchayat polls in West Bengal continued on Thursday in several districts of the State. Former MP of CPI(M) Ram Chandra Dome was among those injured in the clashes in Birbhum district.

Mr. Dome, also a central committee member of the CPI(M), suffered injuries on his head. The Trinamool Congress alleged that CPI(M) supporters took out an armed rally, led by Mr. Dome, for the filing of nomination papers. Violence was also reported in Murshidabad, Uttar Dinajpur district and certain parts of South 24 Parganas.

Additional Director General of Police (law and order) Anuj Sharma said additional forces will be deployed in districts where there were reports of violence.

Meanwhile, a team of Trinamool Congress leaders met Governor K.N. Tripathi and State Election Commissioner A.K. Singh. “Nobody is stopping the Opposition from filing nominations. At the zilla parishad level, the BJP has filed more nomination papers than us,” TMC leader Partha Chaterjee said.

Cong. moves HC

In another development, the State Congress leadership approached the Calcutta High Court demanding Central forces for the three-phase rural polls scheduled in May. The BJP has already approached the apex court over similar demands. The State Election Commission also made certain relaxations for filing nomination papers.

Nomination papers can also be filed at the office of the Sub-Divisional Officer if a candidate finds it difficult to file the papers at the office of the Block Divisional Officer.