2023 West Bengal Local Elections Violence
Background
Primarily Bhangar in West Bengal saw stones being pelted and kachcha bombs being burst when a sudden violent clash began between workers of Indian Secular Front and Trinamool Congress. This further spread across various parts of the state, where polling for panchayats were being carried on, mainly around the rural parts of the state.
Casualties
The clashes reportedly led to more than 15 deaths with allegations of strong-arm tactics, and several numbers injured, admitted in hospitals. The reports said deaths included around 7 TMC workers, 2 BJP workers, 2 ISF workers and others involved in riots and clashes.
Reactions
The governor of West Bengal C. V. Ananda Bose reacted stating that "We must kill poverty, but poor are being killed" and expressed disappointment in the state's management of polls. He also called these incidents disturbing and said he would be submitting reports to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Leader of Opposition Suvendhu Adhikari called it as "Death of Democracy" and demanded for a free and fair poll to be rescheduled. Congress Leader Digvijaya Singh said it to be "frightening" and appealed for peace and strict handling of situation to the state government.