Kolkata, Apr 10 (UNI) At least five people were killed in North Bengal in poll-related violence even as the fourth phase recorded 52.89 per cent turnout till 1330 hours in West Bengal on Saturday.
At least four people were killed in Sitalkuchi in Cooch Behar district after CISF allegedly opened fire at them after coming under attack amid voting for the fourth phase of Assembly elections in West Bengal.
A first-time voter, identified as Ananda Burman, aged 18-20, was also killed when a group of miscreants armed with guns and bombs attacked him in voters' line at Paglapir booth under Sitalkuchi in Cooh Behar district, even as the 4th phase polling for 44 assembly seats in five districts of West Bengal was underway.
Election Commission orders adjourning the assembly poll in PS 125 of Sitalkurchi AC, Cooch, Behar based on interim report from Special Observers. However, detailed reports are sought from them and CEO by 5 pm today.
Trinamool Congrees Mamata Banerjee demands Union home minister Amit Shah's resignation over firing at Sitalkuchi, Cooch Behar.
Trinamool Congress claimed the four dead in Cooch Behar were party workers.
However, CRPF in a statement said, a recent incident being reported in media about the killing of 4 civilians outside booth 126, Jorpatki in Sitalkuchi Assembly Constituency, Cooch Behar, it's clarified that CRPF component was neither deployed at the said booth nor involved in the incident in any way.
The Election Commission (EC) has asked for a report from a special police observer over the firing incident.
Locals claimed central forces opened fire. CISF personnel allegedly opened fire after coming under attack from locals, who 'attempted to snatch their rifles'
Dola Sen of Trinamool claims deaths in Cooch Behar due to firing by central forces.
"Central Forces opened fire twice. In Block 1 of Mathabhanga (Cooch Behar) 1 was killed and 3 injured, in Sitalkuchi block, 3 were killed and 1 injured. Central Forces are doing injustice to people and they have crossed limits. When CM called them out, EC issued her notices," alleged Dola Sen.
Combat force and local police used baton and lathis to disperse a warring mob of the TMC supporters and rival BJP after the shooting incident which hit the victim's back while he was fleeing following a chase by the miscreants.BJP leader Locket Chatterjee's car attacked by locals in Hoogly during the fourth phase poll.
Bomb squad defuses country-made bombs found by police last night in Nanur, Birbhum district. Several allegations of obstruction and intimidation reported from Coochbehar and Howrah.
BJP's Kasba candidate Indranil Khan was allegedly heckled and stopped from entering the booth. Khan also claimed houses of BJP supporters were ransacked and party men threatened
Following Khan's complaint, a Trinamool worker has been arrested.
Reports of bombs being hurled in the Golabari region of North Howrah constituency.
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