Post Poll Violence: School Students Injured in Two Separate Incidents .... No re-polls in Cooch Behar and Alipurduar

Wepen, April 20, 2019: Following two phases of elections post poll violence is being reported from different parts of the state. While a class 6 student was injured when caught in a clash between TMC and Congress a Class 7 student received bullet injuries on his leg. The vehicle of a Gorkha Janmukti Morcha youth leader was also vandalized on Saturday in Kalimpong.

CHOPRA

In Dayaramgach area of Chopra clashes took place between supporters of the TMC and Congress. Crude bombs were lobbed and brick batting took place. Abdul Kalam, a class 6 student was caught in the clash and was injured. A woman and with 5 others were also injured in the clash.

A large police contingent is camping in the area. Situation is under control stated a police official.

In another incident a class 7 student suffered bullet injuries on his legs. The incident occurred in Mukdumi in Chopra.

TMC and BJP supporters were discussing polls in a stall on Friday morning. Polls had concluded the day before on Thursday. Chopra in the Darjeeling Parliamentary constituency had been rocked by sporadic violence on poll day. The discussion suddenly turned into a scuffle between the two sides.

Hearing the melee Abdul Mohammad, the class 7 student had stepped out of his house to inquire. Suddenly a shot was fired and Abdul was hit on his left leg.


“We were informed of the incident and went to look for Abdul. We found him and brought him home. As his condition was steadily deteriorating we rushed him to the Chopra Primary Health Centre” stated Ashfaq Alam, Uncle of the victim.

A large police contingent arrived with news of the shootout. An investigation has been initiated. However no arrests have been made yet.

The TMC has blamed the BJP for the incident. “Tahid a BJP supporter and his men have been vandalising our houses and shops. They had fired the shot” stated Mohammad Mushtaq, local TMC leader.

Kalimpong

The vehicle of a Gorkha Janmukti Morcha Youth leader Ashit Rai was vandalized in Kalimpong on Saturday.

The incident occurred in 11th Mile, Kalimpong. “This is being done by BJP and their allies. They want to disturb the peace and tranquility of the Hills. They have been constantly intimidating our supporters” alleged Amir Basnet, youth leader, GJM.

Incidentally the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF,) GJM (Bimal Gurung faction,) Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxist and the All India Gorkha League are allies of the BJP.

Posters were put up by the GJM all over Kalimpong condemning the incident. An FIR was also lodged at the Kalimpong police station.

“Polling in Bengal is like what it used to be in Bihar, 10-15 years ago” stated Special Poll Observer Ajay V Nayak.

The Observer ruled out repolls in Cooch Behar and Alipurduar. “ However there are chances of re-poll in some booths of the constituencies that had gone to polls on Thursday during the second phase” added Nayak.

The special observer also claimed that 92% percent booths will have Central Armed Police Force. Baton wielding policemen will not be allowed within 100m of voting zones added Nayak.