Bengal:EC halts polling at Sitalkuchi after 4 killed in firing

In the poll bound West Bengal, four people were killed in Cooch Behar district in a clash with security forces outside a polling booth on Saturday during the fourth phase of polling. The Election Commission has adjourned polling at the booth in Sitalkurchi,where violence was reported and a detailed report has been sought. The clashes have triggered a blame-game between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the deaths at a rally in Bengal and slammed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her party soon after the incident. "What happened in Cooch Behar is sad... I offer condolences to bereaved families. Mamata Didi and her goons are jittery because of groundswell of support for the BJP."  Mamata Banerjee hit back at the central government as she demanded Home Minister Amit Shah's resignation. "The BJP knows it won't win so it's resorting to bombs and violence," she said. The Trinamool Congress, blaming the BJP, has alleged that five of its party supporters were killed.  

It is said that the violence unfolded, after a youth had voted at a polling booth in  Sitalkuchi constituency and gone home, saying he was unwell but rumours went around that he was manhandled by security forces. Soon after, a quick response team of central forces arrived at the polling booth. Locals gathered around them and allegedly tried to snatch weapons from them. Sources said preliminary information is that CISF and other security forces were attacked by a mob. First, they were attacked around 9:40 am and again an hour later, the polling booth was attacked. CISF resorted to firing in retaliation. In an other incident, a first-time voter was killed allegedly after he was shot. The incident took place at booth number 85 at Pathantuli constituency. Anand Burman was waiting to vote for the first time when clashes broke out. Initial reports suggest firing took place after clash between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress supporters.