Clashes disrupt polling in Bengal, minister's car vandalized

Violence marred the first few hours of polling in West Bengal, where the fourth phase of elections is underway in eight Lok Sabha constituencies.

According to a senior election official, clashes broke out between the supporters of rival parties in Nanoor, Rampurhat, Nalhati and Siuri areas of Birbhum seat, injuring several people on the two sides.

In Dubrajpur area of the constituency, voters allegedly engaged in a scuffle with the central forces when they were barred from entering the booths with mobile phones.

Security personnel reportedly opened fire in the air to control the mob, following which polling was stalled in these booths, the official said.

The state election office has also received reports of violence from Jemua and Barabani areas of Burdwan East (SC) constituency, he maintained.

"In Barabani, BJP candidate and central minister minister Babul Supriyo's vehicle was vandalised allegedly by the workers of the TMC outside a polling station, while in Jemua, voters fled a polling station after being threatened by miscreants," he told PTI.

According to reports, Supriyo had a tiff with the polling officials inside a booth, following which TMC supporters attacked his vehicle.

Supriyo, on his part, said, "I visited Barabani to witness the poll process, but found that voters were not being allowed to exercise their franchise. Our fight is to establish democracy... It is shameful that I have to say this in a democratic country."