LS polls: TMC and BJP workers clash in West Bengal's Meraganj, several injured

South 24 Parganas (West Bengal) [India], June 1 (ANI): Amid the seventh phase of polling in the Lok Sabha elections, a clash broke out between TMC and BJP workers at Meraganj in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district on Saturday, 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. 

Earlier in the day, reports of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) being looted by a local mob and VVPAT machines being thrown inside a pond in South 24 Parganas came in. 

According to the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal, an FIR has been lodged by the Sector Officer and necessary action has been initiated. 

"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 said in a post 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 the miscreants. Legal action initiated. Polling in Bhangar started without any interruption and is going on peacefully," they said. 

Meanwhile, clashes between TMC and BJP workers in Canning, under Jaynagar Lok Sabha constituency, were also reported. 

Another clash between BJP and TMC workers was reported at Bayarbari in Basirhat. 

Amid the report of looting of EVMs and the clash between BJP and TMC, CPI(M) West Bengal secretary and former MP Mohammad Salim on Saturday accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of indulging in violence on voting day to save its "corrupt" regime. 

"People should vote for peace in Bengal and other parts of India. Trinamool Congress indulges in violence to keep its corrupt regime in West Bengal," Salim told ANI after casting his vote at a polling station in Kolkata in the last phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha election. 

Voting is underway in West Bengal's nine parliamentary seats, including Barasat, Basirhat, Diamond Harbour, Dum Dum, Jaynagar, Jadavpur, Kolkata Dakshin, Kolkata Uttar, and Mathurapur. 

The seventh and final phase of polling in the largest festival of democracy started on Saturday, as voting started in the last 57 parliamentary constituencies at 7 am across seven states and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. 

The seventh phase marks a grand finish to the world's largest polling marathon that began on the 19th of last month and has already covered six phases and 486 Lok Sabha seats. 

According to the Election Commission of India, over 10.06 crore electors, including approximately 5.24 crore male, 4.82 crore females, and 3574 third gender electors, are expected to exercise their franchise. 

The ECI said that polling for 28 States/UTs and 486 parliamentary constituencies has been completed smoothly and peacefully. The counting of votes will take place on June 4. (ANI)