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1st LD Writethru: Poll related violence in India's West Bengal kills 1

Xinhua, April 21, 2016 Adjust font size:

One person was killed and several others injured Thursday during stray incidents of election related violence in India's eastern state of West Bengal, officials said.

The third phase of polling for local elections in the state began in the morning and according to officials during the first four hours about 40 percent polling was recorded.

Officials said a 35-year-old CPI(M) supporter was killed and his body was found lying outside a polling booth at Shibapara in Domkal Assembly constituency in Murshidabad district.

CPI(M) candidate and former minister Anisur Rahman told the media that the party activist was killed when bombs were hurled outside the polling booth. However, a senior police official C Sudhakar said the murder was not related to polls.

"The man was stabbed somewhere else and his body was dumped near the polling booth," police officers said.

India's official broadcaster -- All India radio (AIR) said police reported a CPI (M) supporter was killed and some others got splinter wounds.

"Earlier, in Burdwan district clashes between TMC and Left Front supporters broke out during the initial hour of polling at Ketugram. Both sides reportedly used fireams and bombs seriously injuring three people," reports said.

"Clashes and intimidation of voters have also been reported from Kashipur and Belgharia in Kolkata, Hariharpara and Ausgram in Burdwan."

During the third phase of elections, voting are taking place in 62 assembly constituencies.

In West Bengal, the incumbent Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of Trinamool Congress party will be seeking a second term. BJP is seen as a weak player in the state that erstwhile was a stronghold for the Left.

Election Commission has devised a six-phase polling for the state, of which the remaining three phases would be completed by May 16.

Local elections in Assam concluded last week.

Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry will have elections in a single phase on May 16.

Counting of votes would be carried out on May 19. Endit