One killed, several injured in violence-marred civic polls in Bengal

Amid reports of bombing, firing, booth capturing.and intimidation, the state election commission said  more than 60 per cent polling has been recorded. The figure is likely to go up.

The opposition claimed that in most places polling had been rigged by Trinamool Congress activists who 'unleashed a reign of terror'.

However, the ruling party denied the allegations, saying the election was held peacefully.

Indrajit Singh, said to be a Trinamool Congress activist, was shot dead at Katwa in Burdwan district.

Burdwan district magistrate Saumitra Mohan said some unidentified miscreants opened fire at Singh.

Trinamool leaders  alleged that Congress workers were involved in the incident.

Polling in several  districts across north and south Bengal was temporarily suspended after tremors following a 7.9 magnitude earthquake that hit Nepal.

In Titagarh under North 24 Parganas district , a voter was allegedly shot in the leg while reports of bomb throwing came from several places of the district as well as Burdwan, Bankura were received Several persons were injured in the incidents.

Police recovered several bombs in Sonamukhi town in Bankura district.

Left Front Chairman Biman Basu alleged in most places ruling party supporters terrorised voters, assaulted and drove out rival party agents and indulged in mass false voting. Such incidents were reported mostly from south 24 Parganas, Howrah, Nadia, Burdwan, Bankura and East Midnapore districts, he said.

He, however, said in few cases people 'put up resistance against miscreants' .

Trnamool secretary-general Partha Chatterjee has brushed aside the opposition's charges and said the polls were peaceful.

There are 7,636 candidates contesting for 1,946 wards of the 91 municipal bodies across West Bengal.

The results will be declared on April 28