Humayun Kabir vs TMC: Smashed windscreen, stones hurled, voter intimidation claims
Clashes broke out in Murshidabad during early polling as Bharatpur MLA Humayun Kabir was attacked near a booth in Naoda. Kabir, now with his own party after suspension from TMC, accused ruling party workers of intimidation, prompting the Election Commission to seek a report on the incident.
Tension surfaced within the first few hours of the first phase of polling in West Bengal on Thursday, with a series of clashes involving Trinamool Congress workers and Bharatpur MLA Humayun Kabir, who alleged voter intimidation in Murshidabad district. The Election Commission has sought a report on the complaints from the area.
Violent clashes were reported from Murshidabad, where Kabir -- who founded his party, Aam Janata Unnayan Party, last December after being suspended from the Trinamool Congress -- faced an attack when he reached a polling booth in Shibnagar village in the Naoda Assembly constituency.
Kabir, who had voted early in the day, could not get out of his car as it was attacked upon arrival, with people hurling stones and beating his supporters with bamboo poles, as seen in videos. His constituency, Bharatpur, is one of the 22 Assembly segments in Murshidabad district.
According to reports, local Trinamool leaders led the protest, surrounded Kabir's vehicle and shouted "go back" slogans, while also calling him a "BJP agent". The protest led to tension in the area around the polling station.
Tension had already been reported in the area the previous night. Alleged crude bombs were thrown near Shivnagar Primary School in Naoda on Wednesday night, and a woman was injured in the incident.
Trinamool MP Abu Taher Khan alleged that the attack was carried out by workers of Humayun Kabir's party. One of the injured also blamed Kabir's party for the incident.
"I had stepped out yesterday to offer Namaz at around 8 pm... I was standing... two boys came and threw a bomb near my foot. Humayun Kabir's party workers have done this," one of the victims of the reported crude bomb incident in Murshidabad told news agency ANI.
Police used mild lathicharge to disperse the crowd, though they said the situation had not gone out of control. "The situation is peaceful. Nothing has happened anywhere," Assistant Superintendent of Police Majid Khan said.
Kabir said he had asked his party workers to remain calm. "I told all my people to stay calm. I want the voting and election to happen peacefully, and everyone should participate. My aim or intention is not to hit, scare, or threaten anyone," he said.
In Raipur village under Domkal Assembly constituency, several residents alleged that armed men had been in the area since early morning and had created fear among voters.
Following these complaints, the Election Commission sought a report from officials over allegations that several people in Domkal in Murshidabad district had been stopped from casting their votes.
West Bengal is seeing a closely watched contest between the ruling Trinamool Congress, which is seeking a fourth straight term, and the BJP, which is trying to form the government after its strong performance in the last election. The second phase of polling is scheduled for April 29, and counting of votes will take place on May 4.
Tension surfaced within the first few hours of the first phase of polling in West Bengal on Thursday, with a series of clashes involving Trinamool Congress workers and Bharatpur MLA Humayun Kabir, who alleged voter intimidation in Murshidabad district. The Election Commission has sought a report on the complaints from the area.
Violent clashes were reported from Murshidabad, where Kabir -- who founded his party, Aam Janata Unnayan Party, last December after being suspended from the Trinamool Congress -- faced an attack when he reached a polling booth in Shibnagar village in the Naoda Assembly constituency.
Kabir, who had voted early in the day, could not get out of his car as it was attacked upon arrival, with people hurling stones and beating his supporters with bamboo poles, as seen in videos. His constituency, Bharatpur, is one of the 22 Assembly segments in Murshidabad district.
According to reports, local Trinamool leaders led the protest, surrounded Kabir's vehicle and shouted "go back" slogans, while also calling him a "BJP agent". The protest led to tension in the area around the polling station.
Tension had already been reported in the area the previous night. Alleged crude bombs were thrown near Shivnagar Primary School in Naoda on Wednesday night, and a woman was injured in the incident.
Trinamool MP Abu Taher Khan alleged that the attack was carried out by workers of Humayun Kabir's party. One of the injured also blamed Kabir's party for the incident.
"I had stepped out yesterday to offer Namaz at around 8 pm... I was standing... two boys came and threw a bomb near my foot. Humayun Kabir's party workers have done this," one of the victims of the reported crude bomb incident in Murshidabad told news agency ANI.
Police used mild lathicharge to disperse the crowd, though they said the situation had not gone out of control. "The situation is peaceful. Nothing has happened anywhere," Assistant Superintendent of Police Majid Khan said.
Kabir said he had asked his party workers to remain calm. "I told all my people to stay calm. I want the voting and election to happen peacefully, and everyone should participate. My aim or intention is not to hit, scare, or threaten anyone," he said.
In Raipur village under Domkal Assembly constituency, several residents alleged that armed men had been in the area since early morning and had created fear among voters.
Following these complaints, the Election Commission sought a report from officials over allegations that several people in Domkal in Murshidabad district had been stopped from casting their votes.
West Bengal is seeing a closely watched contest between the ruling Trinamool Congress, which is seeking a fourth straight term, and the BJP, which is trying to form the government after its strong performance in the last election. The second phase of polling is scheduled for April 29, and counting of votes will take place on May 4.
