Kolkata:
Three people were killed in poll-related violence as West Bengal held the third phase of its panchayat elections today in the districts of Howrah, North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas.
The victims included a Trinamool Congress worker and a Communist Party of India-Marxist member.
The third victim was a member of the Socialist Unity Centre of India or SUCI.
The three incidents happened in the North and South 24 Parganas.
Sanat Ghosh of the TMC was shot dead in a clash in the Magrahat police station area in South 24 Parganas.
The CPM supporter, Mojar Bux Mondal, was hit during an exchange of bombs at Tengatengi village in the Bodhai gram panchayat area of North 24 Parganas.
Amal Haldar, the third victim, was shot in the head during firing by the security forces late in the evening as they tried to curb a protest against alleged slow pace of voting at a poll booth in Joynagar in South 24 Parganas.
The incident happened around 8.30 pm when the central forces opened fire on the unarmed crowd as they tried to attack a government vehicle.
The voters turned violent after security forces lathicharged them in a bid to curb their protests.
Haldar was declared brought dead when rushed to a nearby hospital. The SUCI said it will complain to the State Election Commission.
Following the incident, the central forces took over the area. The situation, however, remains tense.
Meanwhile, the State Election Commission sources have said that the third phase of the panchayat polls saw 75 per cent voter turnout.
Notwithstanding the incidents of violence, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claimed at an election rally at Rampurhat in Birbhum district that the third phase of polling was peaceful.
On allegations of improper deployment of central forces for the polls, Governor MK Narayanan said, "The Centre has given the forces... It is quite important to ensure safety and security of the people and instill a sense of confidence. I hope the forces will be deployed."
"The first phase was well, the second was not so well," he said.
The victims included a Trinamool Congress worker and a Communist Party of India-Marxist member.
The third victim was a member of the Socialist Unity Centre of India or SUCI.
The three incidents happened in the North and South 24 Parganas.
Sanat Ghosh of the TMC was shot dead in a clash in the Magrahat police station area in South 24 Parganas.
The CPM supporter, Mojar Bux Mondal, was hit during an exchange of bombs at Tengatengi village in the Bodhai gram panchayat area of North 24 Parganas.
Amal Haldar, the third victim, was shot in the head during firing by the security forces late in the evening as they tried to curb a protest against alleged slow pace of voting at a poll booth in Joynagar in South 24 Parganas.
The incident happened around 8.30 pm when the central forces opened fire on the unarmed crowd as they tried to attack a government vehicle.
The voters turned violent after security forces lathicharged them in a bid to curb their protests.
Haldar was declared brought dead when rushed to a nearby hospital. The SUCI said it will complain to the State Election Commission.
Following the incident, the central forces took over the area. The situation, however, remains tense.
Meanwhile, the State Election Commission sources have said that the third phase of the panchayat polls saw 75 per cent voter turnout.
Notwithstanding the incidents of violence, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claimed at an election rally at Rampurhat in Birbhum district that the third phase of polling was peaceful.
On allegations of improper deployment of central forces for the polls, Governor MK Narayanan said, "The Centre has given the forces... It is quite important to ensure safety and security of the people and instill a sense of confidence. I hope the forces will be deployed."
"The first phase was well, the second was not so well," he said.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
