PremiumWest Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday blamed Home Minister Amit Shah over the firing incident in Cooch Behar's polling station number 126 in the Sitalkuchi Assembly constituency.
"Home Minister Amit Shah is completely responsible for today's incident and he himself is the conspirator. I don't blame central forces because they work under Home Minister's order,' said Mamata Banerjee in Siliguri.
Premium She also said that,"I believe, this incident is pre-planned. I will order a CID investigation into the matter," adding, "We have sought Home Minister Amit Shah's resignation."
She also questioned the central forces' version of firing on voters in self-defence in Cooch Behar, lack of video footage and injuries to policemen.
The chief minister also informed that she will be going to Mathabhanga hospital tomorrow at 10 am and from there she will go to Alipurduar. "I couldn't go to Cooch Behar today due to Model Code of Conduct as polling is going on there," she added.
Mamata's comments come hours after four people were killed as central forces allegedly opened fire after coming under attack from locals, who "attempted to snatch their rifles", in West Bengal's Cooch Behar district on Saturday.
Following the incident, the Election Commission (EC) earlier today ordered adjournment of polls at polling booth.
A spokesperson of the poll panel said the decision was based on an interim report filed by special observers. Detailed reports have been sought from them and the state Chief Electoral Officer by 5 pm.
The incident took place in Sitalkuchi area when voting was underway, a senior district police officer said.
"As per preliminary reports, four persons were killed as CISF personnel opened fire after coming under attack in a village."
"A scuffle took place, and locals gheraoed them and attempted to snatch their rifles, following which the central forces opened fire. Further details are awaited," he said.
The TMC claimed that the four deceased persons were its supporters.
Official sources in the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) told news agency PTI the incident took place at Mathabhanga polling booth around 9.40 am.
The force personnel fired in the air after our quick reaction team (QRT) vehicle was damaged by the mob, sources said.
They added that the personnel later opened fire "in self-defence and to protect the booth and the polling staff" in which one person was killed while 3-4 others suffered bullet injuries.
Election officials said a report on the incident has been sought from the district officials.
The four bodies were taken to a nearby hospital.
Earlier in the morning, a first-time voter was shot dead by unidentified persons outside a polling booth in the same Sitalkuchi assembly constituency area.
BJP's Cooch Behar MP Nisith Pramanik, who is also contesting the assembly elections from Dinhata constituency, alleged that TMC supporters attacked the booth.
"TMC goons attacked the booth with an intention to loot it. Maybe the central forces opened fire in self- defence," he said.
Meanwhile, appealing to people to remain calm, Mamata Banerjee on Saturday alleged armed central police shot dead people standing in a queue to vote in Sitalkuchi.
The chief minister speaking at at a public meeting here, asked Union Home Minister Amit Shah to explain why five lives were lost in central forces' firing in Sitalkuchi in Coochbehar district during fourth phase of polling.
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