West Bengal: Journalist injured in TMC-BJP clashes during Lok Sabha polls
Times of India | 1 June 2024
JAYNAGAR: A journalist covering the last phase of the Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal allegedely suffered a severe head injury amid clashes between TMC and BJP workers in Canning, under Jaynagar Lok Sabha constituency.
Stringer Bunty Mukherjee got severely injured when stone pelting erupted between the two parties in the area on the last day of polling.He has been referred to Medica Super Specialty Hospital in Kolkata for further treatment.
In a related incident, Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were looted by a local mob, and two VVPAT machines were thrown into a pond in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal.
The Chief Electoral Office, West Bengal, stated that an FIR has been lodged by the Sector Officer, and necessary action has been initiated. "Today morning at 6.40 am Reserve EVMs and papers of Sector Officer near Benimadhavpur FP school, at 129-Kultali AC of 19-Jaynagar (SC) PC has been looted by local mob and 1 CU, 1 BU, 2VVPAT machines have been thrown inside a pond," CEO West Bengal posted on X.
"Sector Police was a little behind. FIR has been lodged by the Sector Officer and necessary action has been initiated. The poll process in all six booths under the Sector is running uninterrupted. Fresh EVM and papers have been provided to the Sector Officer," the CEO added.
The West Bengal Police, in their statement, assured that steps have been taken against the miscreants. "This incident happened in the morning around 6 am much before the polling process in Bengal. Police and CAPF immediately intervened and have taken steps against miscreants. Legal action initiated. Polling in Bhangar started without any interruption and is going on peacefully."
Voting is currently underway in nine seats in West Bengal, including Barasat, Basirhat, Diamond Harbour, Dum Dum, Jaynagar, Jadavpur, Kolkata Dakshin, Kolkata Uttar, and Mathurapur.