Supporters of various political parties took to the streets, demanding accountability and justice, while clashes and acts of vandalism escalated tensions in several districts.
A wave of protests engulfed various regions of West Bengal on Sunday, triggered by the recent violence that marred the panchayat elections and allegations of electoral irregularities. The toll of lives lost climbed to a tragic 15, with one person found dead in South 24 Parganas, and two others succumbing to their injuries, according to officials.
In the heart of Kolkata, fervent supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged a demonstration outside the State Election Commission office, demanding accountability and denouncing the alleged "inability" of the poll panel to ensure peaceful elections. In Purba Medinipur district, BJP workers took to the streets, blocking the Haldia-Mecheda state highway at Nandakumar. Their outcry stemmed from suspicions of ballot box tampering at the counting center in Srikrishnapur High School.
"We received information around 3 am that the ballot boxes were being changed. We are demanding repolling at all the booths in the area under the protection of central forces, besides counting of votes at the booths itself," declared Tamas Dinda, a leader of the BJP's youth wing in Tamluk, as PTI reported.
As tensions soared, the police resorted to baton-charging the protesters in Nandakumar to restore order, as recounted by Manoj Kumar Jha, the officer-in-charge of the local police station.
Meanwhile, Congress workers made their presence felt by blocking National Highway 12 in Rathbari area, Malda, venting their anger against the violence that marred the polling process on Saturday. Congress MP Abu Hasem Khan Choudhury announced their intention to approach the court in response to the distressing events.
In Harishchandrapur area of the same district, a police vehicle fell victim to vandals who hurled stones at it during the night. Deputy Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Bipul Banerjee sustained injuries in the attack and is presently receiving treatment at the Malda Medical College and Hospital. Authorities suspect miscreants from the neighboring state of Bihar to be behind this incident, with an ongoing investigation underway.
Further unrest unfolded in Uttar Dinajpur, where two cars were set ablaze, and numerous vehicles, including a state-run bus, were vandalized in the Chakulia police station area. Aggrieved demonstrators claimed that they were unable to vote due to intimidation and alleged that their appeals to the administration had gone unanswered.
Similar sentiments reverberated in Murshidabad district's Beldanga, where Congress workers alleged widespread voter intimidation and fraudulent voting by supporters of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) party during the polls. Violence also erupted in Samserganj, with clashes between two groups involving the use of crude bombs.
The Amdanga region in North 24 Parganas witnessed clashes between the Indian Secular Front (ISF) and TMC supporters, where indiscriminate crude bombs were thrown during the confrontation in Sashipore, located within the Chandigarh panchayat area.
South 24 Parganas district witnessed another clash between TMC and Congress supporters, resulting in injuries to three police personnel while attempting to control the situation. The incident unfolded in Nainan, within the jurisdiction of Magrahat police station, prompting the injured officers, Sub-inspector Arif Mohammed and constables Laltu and Prasenjit, to seek medical attention. Due to the severity of one constable's condition, he was admitted to Diamond Harbour Hospital.
In Kulpi area of the same district, clashes arose between supporters of an Independent candidate and the TMC, leading to a standoff in Udairampur village. When the police intervened, women joined the protest armed with sticks, heightening tensions in the region.