4 dead as CISF allegedly opens fire outside polling booth in WB's Cooch Behar

According to initial reports, four people were killed as CISF personnel allegedly opened fire after coming under attack from locals, who attempted to snatch their rifles, in West Bengal's Cooch Behar district on Saturday.

The incident took place in the Sitalkuchi area when voting was underway, a senior police officer said. One person died on the spot, and the other three were taken to a nearby hospital where they were declared dead.

According to India Today, the incident took place at the polling booth in Sitalkuchi at around 10:00 am when a Quick Response Team (QRT) were allegedly attacked by unidentified persons.

"The clash broke out while the team, along with local police representatives, were clearing the public who were reportedly preventing voters from reaching polling booths. During this, a voter fell down and unidentified miscreants started to damage vehicle of QRT. Following this, five rounds were fired by the security personnel. Further matter is being ascertained by the Mathabanga police under Cooch Behar district," India Today's sources said.

A local person told Anandabazar Patrika, "People were going to vote in groups. At that time, the central forces fired without provocation." The Trinamool alleged that the central forces stationed inside the booth had caused the incident.

Following the violence at the polling booth, the Election Commission had sought a report within an hour from DEO Cooch Behar.

"We have received information that a person was shot dead outside a polling booth in Sitalkuchi in Cooch Behar district. We have sought a report from the micro-observer as soon as possible and the returning officer was called up to know about the situation," an election official said.

Among the dead, there was a first-time voter too. Both BJP and TMC claim that he was their worker.

Reacting to the incident, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee said, "We have been saying that the Home Ministry has been influencing the Central Forces and our worst fears have come true today. They have killed four people."

"Since morning BJP miscreants were blocking people's right to vote while CRPF was influencing voters to vote in favour of BJP. When TMC workers went to enquire why people were not being allowed to vote, BJP miscreants launched an attack creating an atmosphere of chaos, following which CRPF open fired leading to 5 TMC workers losing their lives," the TMC said in the statement.

Meanwhile, Sitalkuchi's BJP candidate Baren Chandra Barman said, "He was our polling agent and was going to the booth when TMC goons shot him dead. Rabindra Nath Ghosh's claim is a total lie. We have informed the SP and the ECI about the incident, demanding immediate arrest of the culprits." He also claimed that police or central forces were not present near the booth when the killing took place.

Nine seats of Cooch Behar are voting on Saturday in the fourth phase of West Bengal Assembly elections.

Source: anandabazar.com, zeenews.india.com, indiatoday.in, bangla.hindustantimes.com, thequint.com

Written by Siddhant Sharma