This story is from April 10, 2021

Bengal violence spirals ahead of phase 4

Spiralling violence and tension was reported from several parts of Bengal, including Howrah and Cooch Behar, that go to polls in the fourth phase on Saturday.
Bengal violence spirals ahead of phase 4
Trinamool’s Mathabhanga candidate Girindranath Barman in hospital
TAMLUK: Spiralling violence and tension was reported from several parts of Bengal, including Howrah and Cooch Behar, that go to polls in the fourth phase on Saturday.
Nandigram too remained on edge after Trinamool Congress worker Rabindranath Manna succumbed to his injuries at SSKM Hospital in Kolkata. Manna was injured on March 27; three days later, CM Mamata Banerjee had visited his home to meet his wife and children.
On Thursday night, Trinamool’s Mathabhanga candidate Girindranath Barman was attacked and left injured.
The FIR implicates BJP supporters. Barman was visiting the house of a supporter, who was roughed up allegedly by BJP men. While returning, the candidate’s vehicle was intercepted at Sildanga godown area and vandalized.
In Cooch Behar, Trinamool leader Partha Pratim Roy staged a dharna in front of the Mathabhanga SDO office, demanding arrest of those involved in the attack. BJP co-convenor Indrajit Debnath said his party activists were not involved in the incident.
In Nandigram, on Friday morning, Manna’s body was brought home to Balarampur village, where Trinamool leaders and workers rallied in large numbers. A strong posse of police force was also deployed.
Manna was attacked while returning from Nandigram police station after complaining that his house had been razed by BJP supporters. Balarampur is in Boyal II panchayat, which was rocked by sporadic violence.
Trinamool’s East Midnapore president Soumen Mahapatra rushed to the site. “He was killed as he openly said he would vote for Mamata Banerjee,” he said.
BJP’s Tamluk organisational vice-president Pralay Pal said: “I convey my condolences. But none from BJP is involved in his death.”
Also on Thursday, BJP’s south Howrah candidate Rantideb Sengupta was reportedly attacked at Nazirgunj Hanskhali pole.
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