3 killed in violence during WB panchayat second phase polls

Three persons, including the husband of a CPI(M) candidate, were killed in violence during the second phase of the West Bengal panchayat elections today in three districts where 30 per cent polling was reported till noon.

Burdwan alone accounted for the three deaths with Sheikh Hasmat, the husband of a CPI(M) candidate, Monowara Bibi, being killed in a bomb attack at Jamuria in Madhudanga gram Panchayat, police sources said.

Another man, Rajkuma Kora, was lynched after a bomb was thrown in the same panchayat area, they said.

The third person, Kata Mullick, was killed in a bomb attack before the Hijjona panchayat office in Mangalkote area, the sources said.

CPI(M) candidate Siddhartha Banerjee for the Panuria gram panchayat was injured after being beaten up allegedly by ruling Trinamool Congress supporters, the sources said.

A woman CPI(M) candidate, Suptava Karpah, was arrested at Rayan on the charge of influencing voters, they said.

A report from East Midnapore district quoting police sources, said that a bomb was hurled at booth no 29/1 at Nandigram after a clash between ruling Trinamool Congress and Congress workers.A Congress worker was injured in the clash.

At booth nos 145 and 146 in Mahisadal, there was a scuffle between TMC and CPI(M) supporters. There were reports of booth jamming at booths 45,46,47,48 at Moyna after which the police intervened.

At Patashpur, the house of an agent of a CPI(M) candidate of booth no 34 was ransacked last night.

A report from Hooghly district said that the polling was absolutely peaceful.

An average 30 per cent polling was recorded till noon in the three districts -- East Midnapore, in which Nandigram falls and Singur in Hooghly, besides Burdwan, State Election Commission sources said.