Seven Bengal districts go to panchayat polls tomorrow

Kolkata, May 17 (UNI) Amidst unprecedented security following the violence in the second phase, seven West Bengal districts will go to third and final round of Panchayat clections tomorrow.

The polling will be held in Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri, North and South Dinajpur, Birbhum, Murshidabad and Malda districts.

Official sources said heavy security measures have been taken especially in Murshidabad, Malda, South Dinajpur, North Dinajpur and Coochbehar districts--all bordering Bangladesh.

'' The India-Bangladesh border will be sealed from tonight and an order has been issued to keep a strict vigil to prevent infiltration of unwanted people and smuggling of arms from across the border,'' the sources said.

People from across the border were being frisked and vehicles checked as a precautionary measure, they said.

Besides the State Armed Police and Rapid Action Force personnel, BSFT and Indian Reserve battalions have been deployed to ensure smooth and peaceful polling.

State Election Commission Secretary S N Roychowdhury said polling parties have started arriving in the interiors of Maldah and Murshidabad.

The first phase of polls, held on May 11, were by and large peaceful. But six people were killed and at least 15 injured in poll related violence during the second phase of polling on May 14.

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