Around 38 pc votes in 4 hrs in WB, BJP candiate attacked

Barring reports of sporadic violence mainly from Paschim Medinipore district, polling at eight Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal was peaceful as 37.97 per cent of 1,33,69,749 voters exercised their franchise in the first four hours of voting on Sunday.

Jhargram (ST) seat recorded the highest 41.87 per cent voter turnout till 11 am followed by 41.20 per cent in Tamluk, 39.41 per cent in Ghatal, 37.53 per cent in Kanthi, 37.50 per cent in Bishunupur (SC), 37.42 per cent in Medinipur, 35.78 per cent in Purulia and 33.07 per cent in Bankura, an election official said.

The eight constituencies are spread across five districts of the state.

"Polling is moslty peaceful except some incidents of disturbances from one or two places in Keshpur. We have sought reports from election officials who are posted there," a senior official of the state CEO's office told PTI.

There were reports of attack on BJP's Ghatal candidate, former IPS officer Bharati Ghosh, when she tried to enter a polling booth in Keshpur.

Following it, bombs were hurled at and stones were pelted towards her convoy when she tried to visit another booth in Keshpur after receiving complaints of rigging there.

One of her security gurards was injured and a vehicle of her convoy was damaged in the stone pelting following which the security officers restored to lathicharge.

It was also alleged a Trinamool Congress worker was injured in firing by the central force personnel who were with the BJP candidate who, however, denied the charge.

The official said, "So far we have not received reports of any firing. We are looking into it. Our officials in the districts have been asked to send details of the incidents of attacks on Bharati Ghosh quickly."