Bengal Elections Phase 2 Voting: Violence reported during early hours of polling

In Chapra, located in Nadia district, a polling agent from the BJP was allegedly attacked. The agent, identified as Mosharef Mir, was assaulted during the mock poll at booth number 53.

Post Published By: Sujata Biswal

Updated : 29 April 2026, 10:39 AM IST

Violence reported during early hours of voting in Bengal

Kolkata: Reports of violence and disruption surfaced from several parts of West Bengal during the early hours of voting in the second phase of the assembly elections on Wednesday.

Incidents were reported in Chapra, Shantipur, Nimtala, and Bhangar, raising concerns about the smooth conduct of polling.

In Chapra, located in Nadia district, a polling agent from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was allegedly attacked. According to party leaders, the agent, identified as Mosharef Mir, was assaulted during the mock poll at booth number 53. He sustained head injuries and was admitted to a nearby hospital. BJP candidate Saikat Sarkar claimed that supporters of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) were responsible, though the TMC denied these allegations. The injured agent alleged that a group of around 15 people attacked him, with one reportedly carrying a firearm.
In Shantipur, a BJP camp office in ward number 16 was found vandalised early in the morning. Furniture was damaged, creating tension in the area.

Meanwhile, in Bhangar of South 24 Parganas district, unrest broke out after claims that an Indian Secular Front (ISF) polling agent was stopped from entering a booth. ISF leader Arabul Islam alleged that agents were being forcibly removed and that some voters, including women, were being prevented from casting their votes.

Voting was also delayed at a polling booth in Nimtala, where polling had not started even by 7:30 am, leading to anxiety among voters waiting outside.

Election officials said they have asked local authorities to submit reports and ensure that voting remains free, fair, and without intimidation.
Separately, police warned Kartik Banerjee, brother of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, along with TMC workers, against gathering near a polling booth, reminding them of restrictions on crowd size.

Security was tightened across sensitive areas. Central forces, including the Rapid Action Force (RAF), were deployed in regions like Diamond Harbour and Falta to maintain law and order, while senior officers monitored the situation on the ground.