One killed in clash after panchayat poll result in WB

Kolkata, July 30: A CPI-M worker was killed and at least nine others injured in clashes in Malda and Hoogly districts of West Bengal after the declaration of the panchayat poll results, police said today.

In Malda a clash between CPI-M and Trinamool Congress ensued late last night at Kauadol village in Harishchandrapur area, where the Left had performed well, when the ruling party took out a victory procession to mark its triumph in the just concluded rural polls.

When CPI-M workers protested saying that such victory processions were banned by the state election commission a hot exchange of words between the two parties ensued. Police said the exchange soon turned into violence and TMC activists severely assaulted three CPI-M workers.

One of them, who received severe head injuries in the attack died in the hospital today. In the other incident at Alinagar in Polba area of Hoogly district, a TMC stronghold, at least seven CPI-M members including a Zilla Parishad contestant was severely beaten up, party office vandalised and money looted late last night.

CPI-M alleged that TMC workers forcibly entered the party office, vandalised it and took away Rs 30000 levy money kept in the almirah. Md Mafooz, zilla parishad candidate who was present at the party office along with six others, including his four polling agents were severely assaulted and forced away from the area.

Two of the assaulted CPI-M members were rushed to a Chinsurah hospital in critical condition, the party sources said. Hoogly superintendent of police Tanmoy Ray Chowdhury said police picket was posted in the area and investigations into the incident are on. When contacted TMC district unit president Tapan Dasgupta denied his party's involvement in the incident and said it was a 'drama' enacted by CPI-M to draw the attention of the people after failing to win the panchayat polls.

Meanwhile, the decapitated body of a 40-year-old popular Congress worker was found outside his house at Shahbazpur village in Kaliachak area of Malda this morning. It is not known who was responsible for the killing.

PTI