Bengal Panchayat Election Vote Counting: Governor strict regarding incidents of violence

Kolkata (IANS). Clashes and violence are being reported from different parts of the state over the counting of votes for the panchayat elections in West Bengal. Governor C.V. Anand Bose gave a strong message against the continuing incidents of violence.

After coming from Delhi on Tuesday morning, the governor directly reached violence-hit Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district and interacted with the people after roaming around.

Talking to media persons, the Governor gave a strong message to those who indulged in violence. He said, our relentless fight against the increasing violence in the state will continue. Strict action will be taken against those responsible for spreading violence. He said that this cannot be tolerated at any cost as it will affect the coming generations.

There were reports of violence at different places in the state over the counting process. BJP candidate Barun Halder was thrashed after a brawl with counting agents of the ruling Trinamool Congress at Panpur in Barrackpore subdivision of North 24 Parganas district.

In Bangaon in North 24 Parganas district too, two Trinamool Congress workers suffered head injuries after clashing with BJP workers. He is being treated at the local health centre. The police soon brought the situation under control.

Meanwhile, trends after three hours of counting show that the Trinamool Congress is well ahead of the opposition in all the three-tier constituencies of the panchayat system, despite facing tough competition.

At the gram panchayat level, the Trinamool Congress is at 8,576, followed by the BJP at 352, the CPI(M) at 128, the Congress at 85 and others including independents at 94.

At the panchayat samiti level, the Trinamool Congress is ahead with 981 in another ten seats. Trinamool Congress is already ahead in 16 seats at Zilla Parishad level.