West Bengal polls: 4 persons in Cooch Behar shot dead by CRPF after scuffle with locals

Election Commission sources said that an action taken report has been sought in this regard

Bloodshed and violence marred the fourth phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections on Saturday as four people were shot dead by the CISF in “self-defence” in Cooch Behar district. The polls were held in 44 Assembly constituencies in five districts and 76.16 per cent votes were polled in till 5 pm.

The incident took place in the Sitalkuchi Assembly seat in Cooch Behar when the Central forces opened fire after a large mob of locals tried to snatch their rifles. Sources in the district police said that one person fell ill at polling booth no 126/5 and the CISF was attending to him. They further revealed that suddenly there was a rumour that he was shot dead by the Central forces.

“Soon around 300 to 400 people gathered near the booth and got involved in a scuffle with the Central force personnel. They tried to snatch the CISF jawans' rifles following which they opened fire. Four persons died, another one has a bullet injury in his thighs and three others had non-bullet injuries. They have been hospitalised," a senior district police official said.

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He also said that four others got injured in the incident - one sustained a bullet injury and the remaining three got injured during the melee.

According to the initial report submitted to the Election Commission of India (ECI) from special police observer Vivek Dubey, the central forces fired in “self-defence” after a large mob surrounded them and tried to snatch their rifles. ECI sources said that polling had been suspended in the related booth in the Jorpatki area of Sitalkuchi, and repolling would be held there.

The incident sparked a war of words between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. While Modi accused the chief minister of instigating the people against the central forces, Mamata blamed Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the incident and demanded his resignation. She also accused the Prime Minister of spreading lies about her.

Following the incident, violence broke out in the area and crude bombs were hurled. The central forces had to resort to a baton charge to disperse the crowd.

"When you can’t beat us fair ‘n square, you shoot & kill. MO-SHA, you killers. At your command, EC recently changed DG, ADG of Bengal police and the SP of the area where killings took place today. 5 dead. You both have blood on your hands. But then you are used to the feeling," TMC MP and spokesperson Derek O'Brien tweeted.

Also read — Voter allegedly shot dead at polling booth by TMC cadres in West Bengal's Cooch Behar

Earlier in the day, an 18-year-old youth identified as Ananda Barman was shot dead outside booth no. 85 in the Pathantuli area of Sitalkuchi following clashes between the TMC and BJP cadres. While his family members said that Barman was a BJP supporter, the TMC leadership said that he was their party worker.

BJP candidate Locket Chatterjee from Chunchura seat was allegedly assaulted by TMC workers when she tried to prevent an alleged fake voting attempt.

The polling agent of CPI(M) candidate Sujan Chakraborty from the Jadavpur seat was allegedly attacked when a “fake voter” threw chilli powder in her eyes.

Clashes took place between workers of the Indian Secular Front (ISF) and the TMC in the Bhangar constituency after ISF’s polling agent was allegedly stopped by TMC cadres from entering a polling booth.

The vehicle of Udayan Guha, TMC candidate from Dinhata Constituency, was allegedly pelted with stones by BJP workers. The BJP leadership has denied the allegation.