3 TMC workers, 1 BJP supporter killed in post-poll clashes in WB

Four people were allegedly killed in clashes between the Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party in West Bengal's Purba Bardhaman district after the election results were announced, official sources said on Monday.

The Trinamool Congress claimed three of its supporters were killed by the BJP, which rejected the allegations, saying the incidents were the result of "people's resistance".

A few TMC supporters were on the way to Nabagram in the Jamalpur police station area on their motorcycles in the afternoon when they were allegedly attacked in Odishapara by BJP workers, local sources said.

They were thrashed and their bikes vandalised, the TMC alleged.

The injured were taken to different hospitals for treatment. Shahjahan Shah and Bibhash Bag were declared dead when taken to the Burdwan Medical College and Hospital.

Kakali Khsetrapal was declared dead when taken to the Jamalpur Hospital, local sources said.

The TMC claimed Shahjahan and Bibhash were their supporters.

TMC block president Mehmood Khan said, "BJP workers carried out the attack in a planned manner. They are taking to violence in different places."

The BJP said Kakali was a supporter of the party who was allegedly killed in the attack.

"TMC activists came to the area shouting 'Joy Bangla' and 'Khela Hobe' slogans around 11 am. They came to attack us but we built a counter-resistance and then they fled," said Ashish Kshetrapal, the BJP's chief of the Nabgram area.

"A while later they returned through another route and came to my house. They attacked my family members and my mother died in the attack. TMC supporters also vandalised and looted 17-18 houses in the area. My father and uncle were also injured in the attack," he alleged.

Police said 23 people have been detained in connection with the incident and a huge contingent of central forces have been deployed in the area. An officer of Jamalpur police station said the situation was under control.

In another incident in Samaspur in the Raina police station area, a 55-year-old man was killed in TMC-BJP clashes on Sunday night.

According to local sources, clashes broke out in the village between the two sides after the election results were announced. Ganesh Mallick, known in the area as TMC supporter, was injured after being hit by bamboo sticks.

He was admitted to the Burdwan Medical College and Hospital where he died, sources said.

"My father was discussing the results of the election with a few others when BJP workers attacked them. My father was thrashed with a bamboo stick," his son Manoj said.

"I demand stringent punishment for those involved," he added.

BJP's district general secretary Shyamal Roy said this incident is not at all political but a family dispute.

"BJP was being linked to it unnecessarily," he said.

TMC's district spokesperson Prosenjit Das said the BJP was resorting to violence in various areas after losing the election.

TMC supporters were also accused of vandalising the homes and shops of BJP workers in various parts of Galshi after the results were announced.

Several shops belonging to BJP supporters were vandalised in and around Ramgopalpur, Shirrai and Karakdal. Several people were also beaten up.

Locals alleged that no action was taken even after the police were informed.