The first few hours of the second part of the first phase of Bengal assembly polls was marked by reports of violence across three districts - Bankura, Burdwan and West Midnapore.
In Bankura's Jamuria, the polling agent of CPIM, Jibon Ruidas, whose duty was at Avinash High School polling station was beaten up allegedly by Trinamool Congress workers. Ruidas was left bleeding profusely and had to be admitted to the hospital. Besides Ruidas, several other CPIM agents were left injured after Trinamool Congress workers clashed with the CPIM workers.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission has demanded an urgent report on the case of the polling agent being beaten up from the concerned presiding officer. In West Midnapore's Sabang, a Trinamool Congress was allegedly attacked by Congress and Left Front supporters.
In Bankura's Sonamukhi, people were seen roaming openly with firearms. Opposition parties claim that Trinamool Congress workers threatened voters in the area. Several country-made bombs were also hurled to intimidate voters and keep them away from exercising their franchise.
While sporadic cases of violence were reported right from the first hours of polling in the 31 constituencies across three districts, Central Forces remained away at most places.
