Four person has been shot dead in Bengal’s Cooch Behar, the ruling party alleged amid polling in 44 seats of the state for the fourth phase of assembly elections.
“As per preliminary reports, four persons were killed as CISF personnel opened fire after coming under attack by locals in the area,” Bengal ADGP said.
According to sources, the incident took place at the polling booth in Sitalkuchi at around 10:00 am when a Quick Response Team (QRT) were allegedly attacked by unidentified persons.
“The clash broke out while the team, along with local police representatives, were clearing the public who were reportedly preventing voters from reaching polling booths. During this, a voter fell down and unidentified miscreants started to damage vehicle of QRT. Following this, five rounds were fired by the security personnel. Further matter is being ascertained by the Mathabanga police under Cooch Behar district,” sources said.
Reacting to the incident, West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee said “worst fears have come true”.
Election officials said a report on the incident has been sought from the district officials.
Earlier the TMC wrote to the Election Commission stating, across several booths in Sitalkuchi, Natalbari, Tufanganj and Dinhata, BJP workers were creating a ruckus and preventing the TMC agents from entering the booths.
While the TMC alleged that the BJP was behind the killing, the BJP claimed that the deceased was its polling agent at the booth and pointed the accusing finger at the ruling party in the state.
Speaking at a rally in Siliguri on Saturday, PM Modi said, “What happened in Cooch Behar” is very saddening. My sympathies are with the families of those who died, I condole their demise. Didi and her goons are perturbed, seeing the people’s support for BJP. She has stooped to this level as she can see her chair slipping away.”
Didi, this violence, tactics of instigating people to attack the Security Forces, the tactics of obstructing the polling process will not protect you. This violence can’t protect you from the 10 years of your ill-governance: PM Narendra Modi said further.