Trinamool leader killed, Congress activists attacked in Bengal poll-related violence

A Trinamool Congress leader was killed in Murshidabad and eight Congress activists were injured in bomb attacks in neighbouring Malda district as political violence continued in north and south Bengal districts in the run-up to the state panchayat elections.

The ruling Trinamool alleged that “CPI(M)-backed goons” brutally assaulted Kazirul Biswas, 45, one of its leaders from Sagardighi in Murshidabad district on Friday night. Biswas was rushed to Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital, where he succumbed to injuries on Saturday.

Biswas’s death pushed the number of those killed in panchayat poll-related violence in the state to 12. Since nominations began on April 2, the election process has been marked by intimidation and violence.

“On Friday night, Kazirul Biswas was returning home after attending a party meeting at Balia. On the way, he was attacked by several CPI(M)-backed goons,” alleged Nur Jamal Sheikh, Trinamool’s Sagardighi block president.

However, CPI(M) district secretary Mriganka Bhattacharya said, “This is a baseless allegation. The person was killed in a family dispute.”

The Congress workers were injured in bomb attacks at Jhagrapathar village in Ratua I block of Malda district around 11pm on Friday. They are undergoing treatment at Malda Medical College and Hospital. The condition of three of the injured, Amulya Moshahar, Doma Moshahar and Jiten Moshahar, is reported to be critical.

“On Friday night some Congress supporters were sitting at a tea stall and planning an election meeting. Some Trinamool supporters led by their local leader, Subal Karmakar, appeared and lobbed bombs,” alleged Md Hamed, Congress president of Ratua I block.

Trinamool block president Fajlul Haque dismissed the allegation. “TMC (Trinamool Congress) doesn’t support any kind of violence. We were not involved in the incident.”

At the time of the copy being published, Murshidabad police were yet to receive any complaint related to Biswas’s murder. Police sent the body for autopsy to ascertain the cause of death.