New Delhi: The first phase of Lok Sabha elections in India saw a few incidents of violence and clashes primarily in West Bengal and Chattisgarh.
In West Bengal’s Alipurduars, Cooch Behar, and Jalpaiguri constituencies, clashes between Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers were reported. Both parties lodged numerous complaints, including allegations of voter intimidation and assaults on polling agents.
Sitalkuchi, known for its history of violence, witnessed clashes and allegations of voter intimidation from both sides. In Mathabhanga, TMC accused central forces of assisting BJP workers in rigging votes. Anant Barman, a TMC leader, was hospitalized after allegedly being beaten by BJP members.
In Chattisgarh’s Bastar constituency, a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officer was injured in an IED blast by Naxalites, while another CRPF jawan suffered injuries from an accidental explosion of a grenade launcher shell.
Meanwhile, in Tamil Nadu, an elderly voter died while waiting in queue at a polling booth. The deceased, N. Palaniswami, collapsed at a booth in Salem constituency and was pronounced dead despite being rushed to a nearby medical facility.
Overall, the first phase of polling, though largely incident-free and marred by violence and clashes in some constituencies, particularly in West Bengal.
