ECI seeks immediate report on Cooch Behar polls violence from Bengal CEO

The first phase of Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal witnessed sporadic incidents of violence, particularly in the violence-prone Cooch Behar constituency, where clashes erupted between TMC and BJP workers at various locations.

Following reports of unrest and violence in Cooch Behar, the Election Commission office in Delhi reached out to the Bengal Chief Electoral Officer, seeking an immediate report on polls violence in the area.

Incidents of voter intimidation, assaults on poll agents, and violence between TMC and BJP supporters marring the polling process.

A bomb was recovered from a village in Coochbehar’s Dinhata. It has also been alleged that Trinamool workers hurled bombs at the BJP booth president’s house in the area. Police reached the spot on Friday morning and recovered nine bombs. Both parties lodged numerous complaints, more than 150 complaints have been filed.

There were also reports of TMC workers allegedly pelting stones in Coochbehar’s Chandamari area due to which BJP’s booth president have suffered injuries.

Despite the disruptions, as of 1 pm, voter turnout in Cooch Behar, Alipurduars, and Jalpaiguri constituencies stands at 50.69%, 51.58%, and 50.65%, respectively.