Bengal Election: Mamata To Hold Protest Rally After Cooch Behar Firing Leaves 4 Dead

Mamata on Cooch Behar firing: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will reportedly hold a protest rally in Cooch Behar following a shooting incident at a polling booth that left four people dead. Claiming her "worst fears have come true," the CM has alleged a "conspiracy" at the central level to hamper the run of a fair electoral process in the state.

In light of the incident, the Election Commission (EC) has adjourned polling in Sitalkuchi where the firing occurred Saturday during the fourth phase of Bengal polls. The state has long held a reputation for being especially volatile during elections.

EC reports say the firing took place after political clashes ensued at polling station number 126. "As per preliminary reports, four persons were killed as CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) personnel opened fire after coming under attack in a village. A scuffle took place and locals gheraoed them and attempted to snatch their rifles, following which the central forces opened fire. Further details are awaited," police officials said as per PTI. 

Mamata On Cooch Behar Firing Says "Worst Fears" Have Come Alive

Banerjee's Trinamool Congress (TMC) party is urging action against central armed forces that they claim opened fire on "common voters." Saugata Roy, TMC leader, said addressing the press "The firing took place because common people were resisting the effort by BJP hooligans to disrupt the voting."

He has also stated TMC workers will conduct protest rallies and wear black badges to condemn the firing incident, over which the party is also demanding the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah, under whose purview the armed forces come. Banerjee will reportedly also visit the bereaved families in Cooch Behar.

"CRPF is not my enemy but there's a conspiracy going around": Mamata on Cooch Behar firing

Banerjee, who has been flagged by the EC twice this election season, reacted to the Cooch Behar firing saying, "CRPF have killed voters standing in the queue, where do they get so much of audacity? BJP knows that they have lost so they are killing voters & workers."

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has however clarified their officials were not involved in the firing. "CRPF component was neither deployed at the said booth nor involved in the incident in any way," they said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing an audience at a rally in Siliguri, said, "What happened in Cooch Behar is very saddening," going on to peg the opposition for the violence. "Didi & her goons are perturbed, seeing the people's support for BJP. She has stooped to this level as she can see her chair slipping away," he said.

Our coverage on Bengal election here.