Bengal rural polls | ISF, police clash in Bhangore, three killed
The Hindu
Three people killed, several injured in West Bengal's Bhangore as clash breaks out at vote-counting centre. Police fire rubber bullets, tear gas to disperse mob. Bomb squad called in after crude bombs found in localities. TMC set for landslide victory in violence-scarred rural polls.
Three persons, including two activists of the Indian Secular Front (ISF), were killed and several policemen injured in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district as a clash broke out outside a centre where counting of votes for rural polls was going on, police said on Wednesday.
The two deceased ISF supporters were identified as Rezaul Gazi and Hasan Mollah, while the other person was Raju Mollah, a senior officer said.
The incident occurred late Tuesday night when members of the ISF allegedly hurled bombs outside the counting centre at Bhangore, around 30 k.m. from Kolkata, and police restored to baton charge, he said.
Police personnel fired a few rounds of rubber bullets and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse the mob, the officer said.
"A senior IPS officer, his bodyguard and several other policemen as well as a few alleged members of the ISF were injured in the clash," he told PTI.
A few people have been detained from the spot for their alleged involvement in the incident, the officer said.
“Around midnight, some people started a commotion outside the counting centre at Bhangore. They hurled bombs, aiming at our colleagues. In retaliation and to maintain law and order, our officers had baton charged. The police personnel had to fire a few rounds of tear gas and rubber bullets after the situation started deteriorating,” he said.
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