7 CPM men hurt in clashes in last phase of Bengal panchayat poll

TT, Jalpaiguri (WB), Jul 25 (PTI): The fifth and last phase of the Panchayat election in West Bengal is being held on Thursday in four districts of north Bengal, Jalpaiguri, Coochbehar, North and South Dinajpur with 30 per cent voter turnout reported till noon.

At least seven Communist Party of India (Marxist) supporters were injured in clashes with Trinamul Congress workers in Jalpaiguri district

Three persons were injured at Talguri under Maynaguri police station during a clash on Thursday, while another person was hit on his head when he was going to cast his vote, the police said.

All the four persons were stated to be CPI(M) supporters.

In another clash which took place last night, three CPI(M) supporters were injured at Paharpur area of the district, the sources said.

One of the three injured were admitted to hospital.

In another incident, several people were reportedly injured at a clash on Thursday at Swastir Hat in Maynaguri block.

Meanwhile, around 500 CPI(M) supporters have alleged that they were not allowed to cast vote by Trinamul Congress workers at Pukurjan village in Jajganj block of the district.

The polling remained by and large peaceful with a 30 per cent voter turnout till noon in the four districts of North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur, Coochbehar and Jalpaiguri, according to State Election Commission officials.

Since the beginning of the panchayat election on July 11, 20 persons have died in poll-related violence in the state.