KOLKATA: Following a relatively peaceful day of voting, Kolkata and its northern industrial fringe witnessed incidents of violence, with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) trading allegations of attacks, firing, and reprisals.
Bhatpara Shooting
In Bhatpara, TMC functionary Tapas Das was shot twice and critically injured late Wednesday. No arrest has been made so far. Former Jagaddal MLA and TMC candidate Somnath Shyam alleged that aides of a BJP MP were involved in the shooting. BJP candidate Rajesh Kumar, a former IPS officer, called the charge false, alleging that TMC-backed miscreants are often behind firing and bomb attacks in the belt.
Behala Clashes
In southwest Kolkata's Behala, police arrested seven people after clashes in Ward 129. TMC functionaries alleged that BJP-backed attackers targeted their party workers at a local office. Former councillor Anjan Das suffered a head wound, while another person was left with a skull fracture. He underwent surgery and his condition is said to be critical.
BJP countered that TMC members stormed the home of Prosenjit Brahma around 8pm, alleging both he and his brother Abhijit — said to be associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) — were assaulted.
South Kolkata Incidents
Elsewhere in south Kolkata, TMC alleged that central forces assaulted residents in New Alipore, leaving nine wounded. TMC also alleged that central forces baton-charged its workers near Jodhpur Park Women's Polytechnic.
