WB records nearly 80 pc polling amid sporadic violence

The fifth and last phase of Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal today recorded 79.96 per cent turn out amid sporadic violence that left 25 persons injured - five seriously.
There were long queues before polling stations even at the end of polling at 6:00 PM, state Chief Electoral Officer Sunil Gupta told reporters here.
Altogether 14 persons were injured, four seriously, in a clash between CPI(M) and Trinamool Congress supporters at Haroa in North 24 Parganas district under Minakha Assembly segment of Basirhat Lok Sabha constituency, he said.
Police said supporters of rival parties pelted stones and used lathis in the clash which took place near two polling booths at Brahmanchak area of Haroa.

CPI-M alleged that TMC workers opened fire injuring four persons.
District Superintendent of Police Tanmoy Roychowdhury, however, said there was no firing.

12 persons were arrested there, Gupta said.
Special Election Observer for the state Sudhir Kumar Rakesh visited the troubled spot.
A report was sought from the district magistrate.
Three persons were seriously injured in Keshpur under Ghatal Lok Sabha constituency in a clash between CPI-M and TMC, Gupta said.
He said barring stray incidents, polling was peaceful with deployment of forces including central forces.
Gupta said the presiding officer of a polling booth at Jibantala under Joynagar constituency was removed as a TMC worker was seen giving proxy votes. Police were directed to file an FIR against him.

Two bombs were allegedly thrown by unidentified persons at the car of former Kolkata deputy mayor Mina Devi at Bowbazar in Kolkata when she was crossing the area. None was injured.