Pre-poll violence in West Bengal again - clashes and arson in Barrackpore

Poll-violence has already begun in the state of West Bengal, hours before the last phase of Lok Sabha elections with the Trinamool and BJP blaming each other for the violence. In West Bengal's cars were set ablaze and crude bombs were hurled. 

Sources informed that a senior Trinamool Congress leader is contesting against Arjun Singh's brother in Bhatpara in Barrackpore constituency in the last phase. However, it is not clear who instigated the violence as the blame game between the party has begun. RAF and West Bengal police have taken charges in the area.

On Friday, just ahead of the final phase of the Lok Sabha elections 2019 on May 19, the violence in West Bengal has erupted as BJP party members were attacked yet again, allegedly by TMC goons. 

BJP's Tuhin Mondal's house in Barasat in North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal, was ransacked, allegedly by TMC goons. Following this, the car of BJP leader and co - incharge of Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal Arvind Menon, who had reached there, was also vandalised. Both Mondal and Menon were also beaten up allegedly by the TMC goons.

READ | BJP Chief Amit Shah Meets 'valiant Foot Soldier' In West Bengal's Joynagar, Claims He Was Attacked By 'TMC Goons'

Phase 6 of the general elections saw several violent incidents in the state of West Bengal. During Phase 6 of the Lok Sabha elections, clashes had erupted in Ghatal when BJP's Bharti Ghosh's convoy was allegedly attacked by protesting villagers who pelted stones at her car. One security personnel has also been hurt in the clashes. Talking to media after the attack, Ghosh blamed the West Bengal Chief Minister for allegedly 'looting votes' and also claimed that the police has been instructed to turn a blind eye towards it.

Earlier in a polling booth in Ghatal, a BJP election agent had claimed that Trinamool women workers were allegedly not allowing him to sit inside the poll booth, as per reports. The workers had claimed that the BJP man was allegedly not a polling agent and hence they were reportedly blocking him from entering the booth. In the ensuing clashes, Ghosh was reportedly hurt as she fell down and injured her toe. Angry villagers were reported to be surrounding the booth and protesting.

"I will lodge a complaint. Mamata Bandhopadhyay (Banerjee) has given a clear direction to not allow voting to happen. She is looting votes and terrorising West Bengal which is a shameful thing to do. She has place people to loot the votes and has instructed the police to not take any action. This injustice should be shown to the world," she said.