West Bengal: Teenager shot in post-poll clashes at Chopra, CPI(M) and BJP seek re-polling

The EC has already sought a report about the incidents violence during polling amid demand of re-polling to a dozen of booths by the CPI(M) and BJP.

Md Abdul (13), a Class VII student, got a bullet injury on his left foot in a cross firing that occurred between the TMC and BJP activists at Mockdumi village early today, though the tension in the area had been mounting since the polling day.

The medics at local hospital said the boy was out of danger as a bullet kissed his left toe causing blood spilling.

Eye witnesses said the clashes turned bloody around 0600 hours when the rival groups opened firing from the country made weapons and the boy, who was going to attend a marriage party, was caught up in the clash and was hit by a bullet.

"At least 5/6 rounds of firing happened and bombs exploded during clashes this morning, in which some houses were damaged," an eye witness said.

However, both the TMC and BJP denied their involvement in the firing, that created panic and fear among the villagers.

Chopra has been witnessing sporadic violence over polling. On Thursday, the villagers blocked the highway after being prevented from reaching the polling booths. However, the state police used batons to disperse them. It was only after the intervention of the EC that the central forces were deployed and the voters were called back to cast ballot.

Meanwhile, CPI(M) state secretary Surya Kanta Mishra has demanded re-polling to 30 booths, and BJP candidate from Darjeeling Raju Bista has called for re-polling to 40 booths.

Of the 30 booths, 22 booths at Raiganj and eight are in Islampur. Mr Mishra claimed that the identification of sensitive booths have not been done properly.

He said the polling agents and voters could not reach 22 booths in Raignaj.
He also condemned the attack on CPI(M) candidate Md Salim at Nayapara Teringbari in Islampur.

Salim's car was also vandalised and his driver was assaulted when he went inside the booth to check the malpractices resorted to by goons with allegiance to TMC.

Mr Bista demanded re-poll at one booth at Phansideoa and 39 booths at Chopra, which are the assembly segments of Darjeeling seat.

Meanwhile, the poll body has sought a detailed report of violence in North Dinajpur from the district magistrate.

A separate report said the EC also sought a report of alleged disappearance of a nodal officer in Nadia district.

Nodal officer of Nadia, Arnab Roy has not reported to his duty after lunch since Thursday at the election office of Biprodas Palchoudhury Politecnhnic College.