West Bengal sees violence, protests in several districts

Kolkata: Violence was reported from several parts of West Bengal on Saturday amid close to 78% voter turnout in the eight constituencies of the state that went to polls in the sixth phase of the general election.

In Garbeta area of Jhargram constituency, BJP candidate Pranat Tudu was hospitalised after being injured in stone pelting, allegedly by Trinamool supporters. Tudu's security personnel sustained head injury.

Tudu had gone to a booth following complaints that voters were unable to cast their vote. Tudu's vehicle was vandalised and the windscreen of a media vehicle was broken.


Tudu said, "I informed the EC and the district magistrate in the morning about complaints of the voters. He did not respond, so I reached the booth. After the violence erupted, I was told that the Quick Response Team was being sent, but it took a long time."

State minister Chandrima Bhattacharya alleged that "Tudu went to a village polling booth and a woman was attacked and assaulted by the BJP candidate's security personnel".

Meanwhile, protests were seen in some other parts of the constituencies where polling was held.