Nandigram (WB):
There are reports of poll violence in Nandigram in West Bengal that falls under the Tamluk parliamentary constituency. A polling booth has been attacked with a locally made bomb and some CPM party workers have been injured.
The situation is now under control and extra paramilitary force has been sent to Gukulnagar village. Incidents of bombing, ransacking and looting have been reported in Gokulnagar in Nandigram and Jangipore, which is Pranab Mukherjee's constituency.
Election observers are also on their way to the troubled area. Right now, it is not confirmed whether the polling was disrupted or not.
PTI adds: Over 500 personnel of central forces, micro observers and videography in polling stations were part of the stringent security arrangements in troubled Nandigram, which is part of the Tamluk Lok Sabha seat.
Two companies (200 personnel) of central forces have been deployed in each of the six other assembly segments under this parliamentary constituency.
Meanwhile, around 18 per cent of polling was recorded till 9:00 am for the second phase of the Lok Sabha election in West Bengal on Thursday, state Joint Chief Electoral Officer N K Sahana said.
About 100 EVMs had to be replaced owing to technical snags, though before the polling began, Sahana said.
At trouble-torn Nandigram under Tamluk Lok Sabha constituency, polling was on under heavy security. Adjoining Khejury under Kanthi constituency, a CPM stronghold, also witnessed a peaceful polling.
Long queues were witnessed in front of most of the booths as para-military personnel, perched on armoured vehicles, kept a strict vigil.
"Everything is going on peacefully, except for some initial delay at Boga following a complaint about the EVM by a Trinamool Congress polling agent," CPM zonal committee leader Himangshu Das said.
Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress candidate, actor Tapas Pal, contesting from Krishnagar Lok Sabha constituency was cautioned by Nadia district magistrate O S Meena not to engage in handshakes or talks with voters in booths after rival political parties complained to him in this regard.