BJP activist lynched in Howrah, TMC worker killed in Birbhum

Howrah/Suri/Jalpaiguri: Post-poll violence claimed its first two lives in Bengal within hours of the announcement of election result as clashes erupted between BJP and Trinamool supporters across various districts. The deaths were reported from Howrah and Birbhum.

In Howrah's Udaynarayanpur, BJP activist Jadav Bar (45) was allegedly lynched on Monday night in Debipur village, triggering tension in the area. BJP netas alleged that Bar was attacked by TMC workers while he was returning from a local victory celebration.



Police said the main accused, Kalipada Bag, along with three others, have been arrested while searches are on for the remaining suspects. Howrah Rural Police said the murder may have stemmed from a personal dispute, though the political angle was being investigated. Central forces and police have been deployed in the area.

BJP claimed Bar was targeted for being a party supporter and accused the attackers of demanding names linked to an earlier assault on TMC MLA Samir Panja. Panja refuted the allegation and accused BJP supporters of vandalising nine Trinamool homes and assaulting 17 party workers. BJP denied the charges.

In Birbhum's Nanoor, TMC activist Abir Sheikh (45) was killed in Santoshpur village on Tuesday afternoon. His family alleged that BJP workers attacked him with sharp weapons while he was returning home with a relative. Sheikh died on the spot, while his relative, Ali Hossain, was critically injured.

BJP denied any involvement and said the killing may have been the result of factional infighting within Trinamool.

Violence was also reported from Jalpaiguri in north Bengal, where defeated TMC candidate Krishna Das was accused of attacking BJP supporters near his residence at Baropatia on Tuesday afternoon. BJP alleged that Das and his associates assaulted supporters with swords and fired shots, leaving at least four people seriously injured. One person was reportedly hit by an arrow. The injured were admitted to Jalpaiguri Government Medical College and Hospital.

The attack allegedly took place near Pachiram Nahata High School when BJP supporters were travelling in totos towards Bhramri Devi temple. A video circulating on social media purportedly shows Das chasing BJP workers with a sword.

Police and CAPF personnel rushed to the spot after the incident. BJP has lodged an FIR against Das and 33 others. Police said Das fled before officers arrived, and a search operation is underway. Das later claimed on social media that BJP supporters had come to attack him and that he acted in self-defence.