BJP, TMC Workers Killed, Two Cops Shot At In Bengal; CEC Orders Strict Action Against Violence And Vandalism

Kolkata: West Bengal witnessed a surge in violence after poll results, as a Bharatiya Janata Party worker and a Trinamool Congress worker were killed in two separate incidents in the state on Tuesday, police said.

BJP worker Madhu Mondal died after being allegedly beaten up by TMC workers during a victory procession in New Town area on Tuesday evening. On the other hand, TMC worker Abir Sheikh was hacked to death allegedly by BJP activists at Nanoor in Birbhum earlier in the day.

In New Town, Mondal was thrashed, allegedly by TMC workers following an argument, as a victory procession of the BJP was passing by in Bhalliguri area, a senior police officer said. He was rushed to the hospital but declared brought dead, allegedly prompting attacks by BJP activists on residences of TMC workers in the area. In view of the situation, the Central forces had to be deployed to bring normalcy, the officer said.

Earlier in the day, Sheikh was hacked to death in a clash in the Nanoor area. A senior police officer said Sheikh, TMC's Nanoor Anchal Committee member, was hacked to death during an argument with "another group", at Santoshpur village under Nanoor.

Sheikh died on the spot while another person, whose identity was not known, was injured, he said, adding police reinforcements were rushed to the area where tension prevailed.

The TMC MLA-elect from Nanoor, Bidhan Majhi, claimed that Sheikh was an active member of the party and was killed by BJP goons in the area.

However, BJP leader Shyamapada Mondal said none of their party members was involved in the attack and police should undertake a free and fair investigation to find out the accused.

Two Cops Shot At In Basirhat

Meanwhile, two police personnel, including an officer-in-charge, were shot at by miscreants while they were attempting to control a violent clash in Nazat under Basirhat subdivision on Tuesday night.

The injured have been identified as Bharat Prasun Kar, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Nazat Police Station, and a Constable. The incident took place when a team of police was trying to control a violent clash between two rival groups in Rajbari area.

According to sources, police reached the spot after receiving information about heavy stone-pelting and crude bomb attacks between the two groups. However, a few miscreants allegedly opened fire at the police personnel from inside a nearby house. The OC was shot in the leg, while a Constable also sustained injuries. Both were rescued in a critical condition and shifted to Chittaranjan Hospital in Kolkata for treatment.

ETV Bharat contacted the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Basirhat Police District for a response, but no official statement was received.

TMC Councilor Assaulted

In another incident, Shyamal Mitra, a former Trinamool Councilor, was allegedly physically assaulted on the streets in Ward No 26 of Howrah. The incident triggered tension in the locality after a video clip of the assault went viral on social media platforms. Police have initiated an investigation into the matter.

According to sources, the incident, which occurred on Tuesday evening, stemmed from a long-standing local dispute between rival factions. The video footage shows several individuals surrounding Mitra, followed by a barrage of punches, slaps, and kicks. Moments later, he is seen lying on the street in an injured condition. However, the motive behind the attack remains unclear.

Strongly condemning the attack, a local TMC leader stated, "Such attacks on a public representative cannot be tolerated. The culprits must be arrested immediately. The administration must act impartially."

CEC Orders Action Against Violence Perpetrators

Amidst these developments, late on Tuesday night, the Election Commission warned that no incidents of conflict would be tolerated. In a fresh directive issued after reviewing the situation on the ground, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar ordered strict action against those inciting violence and engaging in vandalism in West Bengal.

The CEC has directed West Bengal Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Kolkata Police Commissioner, all District Magistrates (DMs), Superintendents of Police (SPs), police officials and Central Armed Police Forces to maintain continous patrols and enforce "zero tolerance" towards any incidents of post-poll violence.

Those inciting violence and engaging in vandalism in West Bengal will be arrested immediately, the CEC warned.