2 villagers found dead; 4th phase of Panchayat polls underway

SURI: Two alleged CPI(M) supporters were killed when the crude bombs they were making exploded at Satpalsa village in Birbhum district, even as the fourth phase of Panchayat polls began in four districts today.


The deceased, identified as Jamir Seikh and Asim Bagdi, are believed to be CPI(M) supporters, but Dilip Ganguly, the district secretary of the party said, "We are not yet sure of their party affiliation".

The bodies were found in a paddy field, which falls under Mayureswar police station. "Prima facie the two were making bombs which went off. Their hands were blown off," Rampurhat sub divisional police officer Debasish Nandi said.

Though locals claimed there were three bodies, the police confirmed only two. In a separate incident, father of independent candidate Hriday Ghosh, was allegedly shot at Kasba near Bolpur, in the same district.

Ghosh claimed that the miscreants targeted him but his father was shot at while trying to rescue him. Some Maoist-posters were found at Barra village under Suri sub-division, also in Birbhum.

The fourth phase of Panchayat polls are being held in Birbhum, Malda, Murshidabad and Nadia districts today.