Cooch Behar, West Bengal, Gripped by Post-Poll Violence, Tensions Remain High

The aftermath of the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections in Cooch Behar, particularly, has been marked by tension and incidents of violence. Post-poll clashes erupted in various parts of the district, reminiscent of the turmoil witnessed during the state assembly elections in April 2021, where five people lost their lives in a single day.

Allegations flew from both sides: the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) claimed the ransacking of a party worker’s house in Dinhata, with reports of his father being assaulted. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) asserted that several of their workers were hospitalized after alleged attacks by TMC members. Disturbingly, even a physically challenged panchayat member was not spared from violence in the Dinhata-II block.

Sitalkuchi, a sensitive area, witnessed the hurling of crude bombs in front of a BJP worker’s residence after polling had concluded. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. However, clashes erupted in places like Gitaldaha, Chandmari, Bhetaguri, Sitalkuchi, Sitai, and Mathabhanga, underscoring the pervasive tension.

The tragic history of violence in Sitalkuchi during the 2021 assembly polls resurfaced in memory, with echoes of previous fatalities haunting the district. Friday’s clashes affected several assembly constituencies, including Sitai, Natabari, Sutalkuchi, and Dinhata.

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Both parties exchanged accusations of voter intimidation, obstructing access to polling booths, and assaulting booth agents. Instances of political offices being set ablaze were reported in Toofanganj and Dabgram-Fulbari.

The neighboring districts of Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri in north Bengal also witnessed polling during this phase, recalling the BJP’s recent electoral gains in the region.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) received a staggering 556 complaints from the three districts, with Cooch Behar alone contributing 269. These incidents underscore the challenges of conducting free and fair elections in regions marred by political violence and polarization.