Humayun Kabir: Bengal Phase 1 polls: TMC, Humayun Kabir’s cadres clash; crude bomb hurled last night – what’s happening in Murshidabad? | India News
New Delhi: Clashes, allegations of voter intimidation and technical glitches marked a torrid start to the first phase of polling in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district.West Bengal Part 1 Election — Follow Live Updates Tensions erupted overnight when a crude bomb was hurled near Shivnagar Primary School, injuring at least one person and sparking panic. A victim told news agency ANI, “I went out to pray yesterday around 8 pm... I was standing… Two boys came and threw bombs at my feet. Humayun KabirParty workers did it…”. Violence broke out on polling day on Thursday. Clashes ensue Trinamool Congress (TMC) activists and Aam Janata Unyan Party (AJP) founder Humayun Kabir while visiting the affected areas.Security personnel have been deployed to prevent rising tensions between party workers and the police during the polling process. Officers used light lathicharge to disperse sections of the crowd, maintaining that the situation did not get out of control. Kabir, however, rubbished the allegations, saying, “All the 22 constituencies in Noda, Razinagar and Murshidabad are going on peacefully. But in 2 booths here in Noda, No. 9 and No. 10, something happened overnight. They snatched the bags of the local police.”In Domkal, several voters complained that they were intimidated and prevented from reaching polling stations. Residents of Raipur village claimed that armed men were present there since morning, creating an atmosphere of fear. The complaints were directed at the ruling TMC, which did not immediately respond. D Election Commission A report was sought, and later heavy security was deployed, escorting voters to booths.Voting was delayed or stopped at several booths including Beldanga, Samsherganj and Kandi in Murshidabad due to EVM malfunction. Similar problems were observed in Nandigram, Malda, Cooch Behar and Siliguri. Congress candidate Sanjay Adhikari said, “We have already filed a complaint…hundreds of voters are already standing in queues…and there is no EC representative here who can tell us when polling will start.”Polling began at 7 am in 152 constituencies, recording 18.76 percent voter turnout till 9 am.
