The toll in the violence during the panchayat elections in West Bengal has risen to 15, according to officials. The recent incidents resulted in the death of a person in South 24 Parganas, while two others succumbed to their injuries. The intensity of the situation has caused concern among authorities and local residents alike.

Let’s delve into the details of the unfortunate events and the aftermath…

In a shocking turn of events, Abu Salem Khan, a resident of West Gabtala in the Kultali police station area, was found dead near a polling booth. He sustained head injuries, which are believed to be the cause of his death. Locals identified him as a worker affiliated with the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the region. The police have initiated an investigation to determine the circumstances leading to his untimely demise.

The incident has heightened tensions in the area, prompting authorities to deploy a large police contingent to prevent any further escalation of violence. It is crucial to maintain peace and order during the electoral process, ensuring the safety and security of both voters and candidates.

Out of the 15 lives lost, 11 were TMC workers, while one supporter each belonged to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M), and Congress. This grim statistic indicates the political ramifications and rivalries that have played a part in these unfortunate incidents.

Protests have erupted across different parts of the state in response to the violence and allegations of irregularities during the polls. Tamas Dinda, a leader of the BJP’s youth wing in Tamluk, has claimed that ballot boxes were tampered with. He demands a re-election in the area, emphasizing the need for counting votes at the booth itself to ensure transparency.

The BJP has accused the authorities of not deploying central forces as mandated by the high court. Party national vice president Dilip Ghosh alleged a deliberate negligence, stating that instead of being stationed at polling booths, the forces were either patrolling highways or confined to police stations. Ghosh further claimed that their deployment only occurred after instances of violence and voter intimidation had already taken place.

In response to the BJP’s allegations, the TMC has argued that the presence of central forces does not guarantee the prevention of violence. TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh referred to a previous incident during the 2021 Assembly polls, where four individuals were reportedly killed by central forces in Cooch Behar. This context highlights the complexity of the situation and the differing perspectives of the political parties involved.

Reports have emerged from New Town, where people claim they were prevented from casting their votes. Witnesses recount the center being barricaded, with miscreants arriving in buses armed with explosives and firearms, intimidating and driving away potential voters. These allegations undermine the democratic process and emphasize the need for fair and transparent elections.

As the investigation into the violence and irregularities continues, it is imperative that the authorities take appropriate action to bring justice to the victims and ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future. Free and fair elections are the bedrock of any democracy, and it is essential to uphold the principles of transparency, security, and inclusivity throughout the electoral process.