Kolkata:
Panchayat polls are usually associated with dance of democracy. But in West Bengal, they have turned into the dance of violence. During the voting for fourth phase of panchayat elections on Monday, seven people were killed - three in Murshidabad, two in Birbhum and one each in Malda and Nadia. Five years ago, 13 people had died in the state in poll related violence.
State Election Commission sources said that 75 per cent polling was recorded till five pm. The fifth and final phase of these panchayat elections will be held on July 25.
Most of the clashes that took place on Monday were between the ruling Trinamool Congress and its rival, the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM).
In Murshidabad, a woman named Noor Jahan Bibi was killed in a village which saw a flurry of bombings. Two CPM workers were later arrested for hurling bombs. Two others died, again in Murshidabad, while making bombs. They are also believed to be CPM supporters.
"We wanted to vote for the Congress but when we went to the polling booth, CPM supporters threw bombs at us and chased us away. We have not been able to vote. This vote must be scrapped," said woman voter.
"We have recovered about 100 live bombs from many places in the district. It is very difficult to control the groups of political workers who are hurling bombs and running away," District Superintendent of Police Humayun Kabir said.
In Birbhum, two CPM supporters were found dead and an independent candidate's father was shot at. He has been moved to a hospital in Kolkata.
Trinamool has won many seats uncontested from Birbhum. So, despite of the tense situation, Trinamool leader Manirul Islam was seen making a provocative speech against a Congress rival on Sunday. "Bapi Dutta, it would not take me even a minute to behead you," Mr Islam said at an election rally.
The speech has provoked angry reactions, but no action from the State Election Commission yet.
"I blame the head of the party, head of the government because she herself actively encouraging. There's not a single word of denouncement, there's no word of condemnation," CPM leader Md Salim said.
Last week, another politician from the Trinamool had asked party workers to attack the houses of independent candidates and hurl bombs at policemen.
"They attack the courts, they attack the Election Commission, they attack any political opponent. This is an unprecedented attack on democracy in West Bengal and I believe that the Chief Minister herself is providing patronage to all these elements," said CPM leader Brinda Karat.
One person, Abdul Mannan, was killed in firing by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in the Malda district. The CRPF allegedly opened fire after being mobbed by villagers for beating a Congress candidate. Nadia district saw at least one fatality in bombing in the temple town of Mayapur.