LS polls: Clash breaks out between TMC and BJP workers in West Bengal's Basirhat

North 24-Parganas (West Bengal) [India], June 1 (ANI): An alleged clash broke out between Trinamool Congress and BJP workers at Bayarbari in West Bengal's Basirhat amid the seventh and final phase of polling in the Lok Sabha elections on Saturday.
BJP candidate from Basirhat Lok Sabha seat Rekha Patra said, "If you (police) want to raise your hands on me, then do so. You are the police (administration), but you should be ashamed that you are slaves of the Chief Minister... The Chief Minister has bought you... The police are slaves of the Chief Minister, they (police) will not give any answer."
She also accused the TMC of conducting proxy voting at a booth in Basirhat's Bayarbari area.
"Vote looting is going on here, no one has voted here, proxy voting has taken place here," she said.
Earlier today, a clash also broke out between TMC and BJP workers at Meraganj in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district, leaving several people injured.
"Several people were injured in the clash between the TMC and BJP at booth numbers 40 and 41 in Meraganj," police said.
A TMC leader, identified as Bakibullah Laskar injured in the clash alleged that their workers were beaten by the BJP in front of the police and that six of them were injured. "We were beaten (by BJP) in front of the police. Six of our workers were injured," Laskar told ANI.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Utpal Naskar levelled counter allegations, claiming that TMC attacked and injured seven of their booth agents.
"When BJP agents were on their way to sit in the booth, they were stopped on the way and beaten... Police went there... Later the police called the BJP booth agents and tried to make them sit in the booth... but after that TMC attacked... 2 booth agents were injured in this... a total of 7 were injured," BJP leader Utpal Naskar told ANI.
Following the incident, heavy police forces have been deployed in the area to maintain the law and order situation.
Also, there were reports of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) being looted by a local mob, and VVPAT machines being thrown into a pond in South 24 Parganas.
According to the Chief Electoral Office of West Bengal, an FIR has been filed by the Sector Officer, and necessary action has been initiated in this matter.
"Today morning at 6.40 am Reserve EVMs and papers of Sector Officer near Benimadhavpur FP School at 129-Kultali AC of 19-Jaynagar (SC) PC has been looted by local mob and 1 CU, 1 BU, and 2 VVPAT machines have been thrown inside a pond," CEO West Bengal posted on X.
In its statement, the West Bengal Police stated that steps have been taken against the miscreants.
"This incident happened in the morning around 6 am much before the polling process in Bengal. Police and CAPF immediately intervened and have taken steps against miscreants. Legal action initiated. Polling in Bhangar started without any interruption and is going on peacefully," the police said.
The voting for the seventh and final phase was concluded in West Bengal's nine seats, including Barasat, Basirhat, Diamond Harbour, Dum Dum, Jaynagar, Jadavpur, Kolkata Dakshin, Kolkata Uttar, and Mathurapur.
The counting of votes will be held on June 4. (ANI)