6 more killed, Bengal rural poll violence toll reaches 48

At least six deaths were reported from across West Bengal on Wednesday even as counting of votes for the three-tier panchayat elections continued, taking the toll to 48 in alleged poll-related violence since June 8 when the rural polls were announced, police officers familiar with the matter said.

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Chief minister Mamata Banerjee, whose Trinamool Congress (TMC) has swept the panchayat elections, however, claimed that 19 people died in poll-related violence since June 8.

She announced ₹2 lakh ex gratia each to the next of kin of the deceased and a job in home guard to one family member.

Police officers, requesting anonymity, have pegged the number of poll violence-related deaths in the state to 48, including six on Wednesday.

Three people, including two Indian Secular Front (ISF) workers, were killed and several police personnel injured in Bhangore block of South 24 Parganas district after a clash broke out late on Tuesday night outside a centre where counting of votes was going on, police said. The deceased were identified as Rezaul Gazi and Hasan Mollah-both ISF workers - and one Raju Mollah, a local resident, police said.