EC orders adjourning voting in PS 125 of Sitalkurchi Assembly constituency after violence in Cooch Behar

By Deevika N | First Published Apr 10, 2021, 3:03 PM IST

While a first-time voter was shot dead by miscreants in Sitalkuchi in the morning, four people were killed just before noon, allegedly when central forces were forced to open fire after they were attacked.

Election Commission orders adjourning the assembly poll in PS 125 of Sitalkurchi AC, Cooch, Behar based on an interim report from Special Observers. However, detailed reports are sought from them and the CEO by 5 pm today.

Violence marred polling in Cooch Behar with five people being reported dead in two separate incidents in Cooch Behar on Saturday.

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While a first-time voter was shot dead by miscreants in Sitalkuchi in the morning, four persons died just before noon, allegedly when the central forces were forced to open fire after they were attacked. The first incident took place near Pathantuli area in Sitalkuchi.

According to a report by the Election Commission, miscreants tried to snatch arms from CAPF and attacked them. CAPF fired in self defence and four persons died. Four others were injured.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday reacted to the poll-related violence in Bengal's Cooch Behar and said, "What happened in Cooch Behar is very saddening. My sympathies are with the families of those who died, I condole their demise. Didi & her goons are perturbed, seeing the people's support for BJP. She has stooped to this level as she can see her chair slipping away."

"I would like to tell Didi, TMC and their goons clearly that their ways will not be allowed to work in Bengal. I urge the Election Commission to take strict action against the accused of the incident in Cooch Behar," Modi said in Siliguri.

The Prime Minister told Mamata Banerjee that the violence can't protect her from ten years of ill-governance. "Didi, this violence, tactics of instigating people to attack the Security Forces, the tactics of obstructing the polling process will not protect you. This violence can't protect you from the 10 years of your ill-governance."

Despite incidents of violence, West Bengal has so far registered a voter turnout of 80% and above in all the three phases held so far. In the first phase, a voter turnout of 84.3% was reported from across 30 assembly constituencies. The second phase, which was held on April 1, recorded a voter turnout of 80.43%. In the third, with incidents of violence recorded again, the state recorded 77.68% turnout by 5 pm on April 5.

Approximately 16.65% turnout was recorded till 11 am in Bengal during polling for the fourth phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections, voting for which began at 7 am on Saturday.

Electoral fates of key candidates including Union Minister Babul Supriyo, West Bengal ministers Partha Chatterjee, Arup Biswas and former Indian cricketer turned politician Manoj Tiwary will be decided. Polling will be held for nine assembly constituencies in Howrah, 11 in South 24 Parganas, five in Alipurduar, nine in Coochbehar and ten in Hooghly.

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