West Bengal Panchayat elections: 15 dead in violent clashes, repolling underway

financialexpress.com:

The death toll resulting from violent incidents during the panchayat elections in West Bengal has risen to 15, officials said Sunday. Among the casualties is a person found dead in South 24 Parganas and two individuals who succumbed to their injuries.

The deceased, identified as Abu Salem Khan, was found near a polling booth in West Gabtala, located in the Kultali police station area. Sources reveal that he had sustained head injuries. Local residents confirmed Khan’s affiliation with the TMC.

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Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding Khan’s death, and to prevent further escalation, a significant police presence has been deployed in the area, where tension remains high.

In another incident, Azhar Lashkar, a TMC worker who was injured during the violence in the Basanti area of the district on Saturday night, passed away at the state-run SSKM Hospital in Kolkata, as confirmed by treating doctors.

Additionally, in Baishannagar of Malda district, TMC worker Motiur Rahman was stabbed outside a polling booth near KBC Primary School in the Barkamat area, according to officials. The TMC alleged that the incident occurred when Congress workers attempted to tamper with the ballot box, and Rahman intervened. 

Also Read: West Bengal panchayat elections: Death toll rises to 15, TMC worker found dead near polling booth

However, Congress has denied these allegations. Rahman later succumbed to his injuries while being transported to the Malda Medical College and Hospital.

As of Saturday night, a total of 12 deaths were reported in the violence that erupted during the polling. Among the casualties, eight were