Democracy stunted: Panchayat poll violence in Bengal continues unabated ; Toll rises to 54
Kolkata, July 15 : Two more wounded TMC activists have succumbed to their wounds in two different hospitals in the city on Saturday in Panchayat poll-related unabated violence, which began immediately after the announcement of a three-tier Panchayat poll in the mid-week of June last, official sources said.
The epicentre of Bhangar is in South 24 Parganas, some 20 kms from this city, where the TMC’s booth president, Moslem Sheikh (62)was severely wounded after a group of miscreants beat him on July 7, day before the election, succumbed to his fatal wounds at a private hospital on the EM bypass on early Saturday.
He was attacked by scores of Indian Secular Front (ISF) supporters,alleged the TMC,which was denied by the ISF leadership.
Bhangar, a predominantly minority area, has huge ISF followers, and did well in the rural poll, despite allegations that the ruling regime had prevented its candidates from filing nominations.
Another TMC worker, identified as Nantu Gazi, was fatally attacked while a group of his friends went to Satmukhi Gajipara at Canning in South 24 Pargans on Thursday to protest the ISF activists, who earlier had attacked a victory rally of the ruling party. The injured Nantu Gazi succumbed to his wounds in a city hospital on Saturday.
The ISF denied its involvement in the attack.
With the latest casualties in poll related violence across Bengal, So far, the toll went up to 54, sources added.
In a separate crime, a TMC activist, identified as Proloy Mondal, (34), was shot dead from point blank range at Bishnupur, S 24 Parganas, sources added.
However, the crime happened due to rivalry in promoting business, sources confirmed.
The victim was an employee of a private firm, and was involved in promoting buildings in the area.
The unidentified miscreants shot their target while Mandal was returning home on his two-wheeler on Friday night.
Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the crime.
