Kolkata, Nov 13 (UNI) A ruling Trinamool Congress block level leader was shot dead, as over 30 percent of the electors voted in the first four hours in bypolls to six West Bengal Assembly constituencies on Wednesday, official sources said.
The TMC block level leader at Bhatpara under North 24 Parganas district was fatally shot by three unidentified miscreants from close range while he was having tea at a roadside stall in the morning. The assailants also hurled bombs before decamping.
The victim Asoke Shaw, TMC block president of ward number 12, succumbed to his injuries at Barrackpore Hospital, his brother Asoke Shah told reporters.
District Superintendent of Police Asoke Rajoria said they were investigating the crime.
Asoke Shaw was earlier attacked in 2023, but then he survived. The TMC supporters have laid a siege on the Jagatdal police station, accusing the police of failure to stop crime in the industrial belt of Barrackpore region, particularly Bhatpara.
The crime happened close to Naihati assembly segment where bypoll was in progress.
The poll officials directed the authorities to keep a watch in the area. A container bomb was recovered from the scene of crime after it did not explode, sources added.
Local TMC Councillor Somnath Shyam said the police were investigating the crime of shooting and hurling of bombs.
BJP leader Arjun Singh alleged the infighting between two TMC factions led to the crime in the locality.
Election department sources said over 30 15 percent votes were polled till 11 a.m. in the six Assembly seats.
The polling figures were Naihati (25.17 pc), Madarihat (31.86 pc), Sitai (29 pc), Taldangra (32 pc) , Haroa (31.20 pc) and Medinipur (30.25 pc). Around108 companies of central forces have been deployed to stave off untoward incidents.
Sources said barring some incidents of intimidation and counter threats, the polling overall was peaceful so far.
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