• Source:JND
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Widespread reports of violence and booth-level skirmishes have been recorded in the second and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections on Wednesday. As 142 constituencies across seven districts—including Kolkata, Hooghly, and the 24 Parganas—head to the polls, the "festival of democracy" has turned into a battlefield in several pockets. Clashes were recorded from the early hours in Hooghly, Bally, and Baranagar, with reports of stone-pelting and vehicle vandalism forcing Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to conduct flag marches and resort to mild lathi charges to disperse agitated crowds.  

Amidst the unfolding unrest, Chief Minister and TMC leader Mamata Banerjee accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to "forcefully rig the election." Condemning the reports of violence against her party workers as "hooliganism," she stated that the opposition was systematically destroying the democratic process. "Look how our worker was beaten up at night. Just look at this atrocity," the Bengal CM said, adding that while her supporters are "ready to die" to protect the booths, the BJP's intention is to seize the mandate through fear.

Violence Reported In Hooghly, Howrah And Nadia

A clash broke out in the early hours of Wednesday between TMC and ISF supporters as tensions erupted at Booth No. 147 in Ramchandrapur under Rajhati-1 Panchayat in Khanakul in Hooghly District over allegations of appointing fake polling agents.

In Howrah, a few CRPF personnel carried away some people as they were trying to disrupt the voting process. The voting was initiated at 8:30 am as the machine was malfunctioning.

According to a PTI report, BJP leaders have alleged that a polling agent was assaulted by "miscreants linked to the ruling TMC" at booth number 53 in Chapra in Nadia district.

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In Bally, an EVM glitch was reported, following which clashes broke out in the area. The CRPF personnel detained two people. A clip showed a team carrying a man on the road. 

IPS officer, Ajay Pal Sharma, was seen touring Falta in South 24 Parganas district with a convoy since morning. Heavy central force deployment was also reported in Diamond Harbour and Falta, with units of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) stationed to maintain order. An EVM malfunction was reported in the area.

According to PTI, violence and vandalism during the early hours of voting for the second phase were reported in multiple locations, including Chapra, Shantipur, Nimtala, and Bhangar.


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