One killed in 5th phase of WB rural poll, toll mounts to 21

A man was today killed in a clash between Trinamool Congress and CPI-M supporters in North Dinajpur district during the fifth and final phase of West Bengal panchayat elections, taking the toll in poll-related violence to 21 since the exercise began.

Police said Abdul Aziz(50) was stabbed to death during the clash at Borobilla at Itahar when polling was on.

Opposition CPI-M has claimed that the man was its member and a number of its supporters were injured in the clash.

Police, however, did not comment on the claim.

With today's death, the toll in poll violence went up to 21 since the rural elections began in the state on July 11.

Meanwhile, a 70-year-old voter died in a heart attack at Phulbari while he was waiting in queue to cast his vote for the Dabgram-Phulbari gram panchayat in Jalpaiguri district.

Police said Mahendra Burman was rushed to nearby public health centre after he collapsed and was declared brought dead by the doctors.

In another incident at Ranapur in North Dinajpur, 16 rival political party supporters were injured in CRPF lathicharge in front of a polling both under Itahar police station.

Voting was suspended in a booth under Durgapur gram panchayat after mischief mongers attempted to snatch ballot papers. Polling was also suspended at Kapusia block when some people snatched a ballot box and threw it into a river, police said.  In Raiganj block, police opened blank fire to disperse a mob which had gathered in front of the Alenga polling booth and attempted to snatch ballot papers.

Sporadic clashes were reported from Jalpaiguri.

Three persons were injured at Talguri in Jalpaiguri district during a clash today while another person was hit on the head when he was going to cast his vote, the police said.

All the four were stated to be CPI-M supporters.

Jalpaiguri MP, Mahendra Roy (CPI-M) has alleged that 200 supporters of the party were prevented from casting their votes at Kukurjan gram panchayat, Krantipara, Khalpara and Majhabari by workers of the ruling TMC.

Around 500 CPI(M) supporters alleged that they were not allowed to vote by Trinamool Congress activists at Pukurjan village in the Jajganj block of the district. Panchayat polls were also held in South Dinajpur and Coochbehar districts.

Meanwhile, 12 Kolkata Police personnel were suspended on charges of gross indiscipline after they had refused to perform election duty. The KP constables were called back and suspended last night, Joint CP (headquarters) Jawed Shamim said.