In pics: West Bengal rural polls, TMC activist shot dead

Bhangar (WB), July 17: A Trinamool Congress (TMC) activist was shot dead at Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district on Tuesday midnight ahead of the ppanchayat polls in the district on July 19.

The CPI(M) district committee memeber Sattar Mollah and seven other party activists were later arrested in connection with the murder, police said.

Police said Nazrul Mollah, a panchayat poll booth committee member of the party, was called out from his residence by some people and shot at from point blank range. Mollah died on spot, police said.

The Trinamool alleged Mollah was an active party worker and he was killed to scare away the party supporters and voters in the area. The CPI(M) said its activists were framed and the murder was the fallout of TMC's internal feud. The third phase panchayat polls in West Bengal will take place on July 19.

The ongoing panchayat elections have been marred by violence. On Tuesday, a Union minister from the state was allegedly fired at during a campaign in Mada district. The ruling TMC was accused although the latter dismissed the charges. Three people, including the husband of a CPI(M) candidate was killed on Monday, during the second phase of the election.

In Howrah

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addresses an election campaign rally for panchayat polls in Howrah district on Monday.

In Burdwan

Security personnel stand in front of a polling booth after an incident of violence during Panchayat polls in Burdwan district in West Bengal on Monday.

In Birbhum

Congress candidate Archana Banerjee, daughter of cousin sister of West Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee campaign for Panchayat polls in Birbhum district of West Bengal on Sunday.

In Burdwan

Polling officials carry ballot boxes on their way to polling stations on the eve of 2nd phase of Panchayat polls in Burdwan district of West Bengal on Sunday.

In Bankura

Women stand in long queue to cast their votes at a polling station in a Maoist affected area of Bankura district in West Bengal on Thursday during the first phase of Panchayat polls.

In Bankura

A security person stand guard as women voters wait in a queue to cast their votes during Panchayat Poll at Maoist affected area of Bankura district in West Bengal.

In West Mednapore

Villagers wait in a queque to caste their votes at a polling booth at Gopali in West Mednapore in West Bengal on Thursday during the first phase of Panchayat polls.

PTI