<p>The first phase of voting on Friday (Apr 19) for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/lok-sabha-election-2024">Lok Sabha Election 2024</a> was marred by political violence in the Indian state of West Bengal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Cooch Behar, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri seats went to polls in Phase 1 of the general election, with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Trinamool Congress (TMC) party workers accusing each other of hurting poll agents.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Both parties claimed the electoral process in the state is being disrupted.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-election-2024/lok-sabha-elections-2024-shots-fired-at-manipur-polling-booth-three-injured-712927">Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Shots fired at Manipur polling booth, three injured</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Reports emerged that Border Security Force (BSF) troopers also foiled an attempt to capture a polling booth allegedly by people associated with the TMC party at the Balrampur area of Natabari Assembly in CoochBehar.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Election Commission of India (ECI) received over 100 complaints from West Bengal during the Phase 1 polling till noon.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">West Bengal: Alert BSF troopers foil attempt to capture polling booth by alleged TMC hooligans at Balrampur area of Natabari Assembly in CoochBehar.<br />
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The EC has till now received over 100 complaints from West Bengal during the Phase 1 polling. <a href="https://t.co/Sma0d5OnWi">pic.twitter.com/Sma0d5OnWi</a></p>
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) <a href="https://twitter.com/MeghUpdates/status/1781218266314420641?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>In a post on social media platform X, BJP West Bengal wrote: "In the heart of Coochbehar Natabari, where the quiet hum of democracy should reign, darkness descended like a shroud last night."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Amidst the flickering lights of Booth No. 175, nestled within the Pani Shala area, a scene of horror unfolded. Mustafa Ali, entrusted with the solemn duty of ensuring the sanctity of the electoral process, became the target of Trinamool's vicious onslaught," it added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/three-generations-of-women-exercise-their-right-to-vote-712872">Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Three generations of women exercise their right to vote</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>"Surrounded by the echoes of violence, the tranquility of Bengal shatters like glass," the post read. &nbsp;</p>

<p>"As dawn breaks over the bloodstained streets, the scars of injustice serve as a grim reminder of the battle for democracy in the face of tyranny. The people of Bengal stand united, unwavering in their demand for justice," it further said.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">In the heart of Coochbehar Natabari, where the quiet hum of democracy should reign, darkness descended like a shroud last night.<br />
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Amidst the flickering lights of Booth No. 175, nestled within the Pani Shala area, a scene of horror unfolded. Mustafa Ali, entrusted with the solemn… <a href="https://t.co/MWppejKPra">pic.twitter.com/MWppejKPra</a></p>
— BJP West Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) <a href="https://twitter.com/BJP4Bengal/status/1781190409622016299?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>Watch this report:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<p>Meanwhile, Union Minister and BJP candidate from Cooch Behar Lok Sabha constituency Nisith Pramanik cast his vote.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Pramanik claimed: "TMC is trying to prevent people from reaching the booths.&nbsp;The fear of losing is visible in TMC's eyes. People are fully prepared to oppose TMC goons. People will definitely respond to the violence through their votes."&nbsp;</p>

<p>TMC has fielded Jagdish Chandra Barma Basunia and Congress has fielded Piya Roy Chowdhury from Cooch Behar Lok Sabha seat.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | West Bengal: Union Minister and BJP candidate from Cooch Behar Lok Sabha constituency Nisith Pramanik casts his vote in the first phase of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LokSabhaElections2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LokSabhaElections2024</a><br />
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TMC has fielded Jagdish Chandra Barma Basunia and Congress has fielded Piya Roy Chowdhury from Cooch… <a href="https://t.co/iLPkfR6Okz">pic.twitter.com/iLPkfR6Okz</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1781218335067459713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>Polling for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections started on Friday with more than 1,600 candidates, including eight Union ministers, two former chief ministers and an ex-governor will test their electoral fate.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As many as 102 parliamentary constituencies across 21 states and Union territories will go to polls in the first phase which is also the largest of the seven phases of the elections.&nbsp;<br />
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<em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The first phase of voting on Friday (Apr 19) for the Lok Sabha Election 2024 was marred by political violence in the Indian state of West Bengal. Cooch Behar, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri seats went to polls in Phase 1 of the general election, with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Trinamool Congress (TMC) party workers accusing each other of hurting poll agents.

The first phase of voting on Friday (Apr 19) for the Lok Sabha Election 2024 was marred by political violence in the Indian state of West Bengal. Cooch Behar, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri seats went to polls in Phase 1 of the general election, with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Trinamool Congress (TMC) party workers accusing each other of hurting poll agents. Both parties claimed the electoral process in the state is being disrupted. Also read: Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Shots fired at Manipur polling booth, three injured Reports emerged that Border Security Force (BSF) troopers also foiled an attempt to capture a polling booth allegedly by people associated with the TMC party at the Balrampur area of Natabari Assembly in CoochBehar. The Election Commission of India (ECI) received over 100 complaints from West Bengal during the Phase 1 polling till noon. West Bengal: Alert BSF troopers foil attempt to capture polling booth by alleged TMC hooligans at Balrampur area of Natabari Assembly in CoochBehar. The EC has till now received over 100 complaints from West Bengal during the Phase 1 polling. pic.twitter.com/Sma0d5OnWi — Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) April 19, 2024 × In a post on social media platform X, BJP West Bengal wrote: "In the heart of Coochbehar Natabari, where the quiet hum of democracy should reign, darkness descended like a shroud last night." "Amidst the flickering lights of Booth No. 175, nestled within the Pani Shala area, a scene of horror unfolded. Mustafa Ali, entrusted with the solemn duty of ensuring the sanctity of the electoral process, became the target of Trinamool's vicious onslaught," it added. Also read: Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Three generations of women exercise their right to vote "Surrounded by the echoes of violence, the tranquility of Bengal shatters like glass," the post read. "As dawn breaks over the bloodstained streets, the scars of injustice serve as a grim reminder of the battle for democracy in the face of tyranny. The people of Bengal stand united, unwavering in their demand for justice," it further said. In the heart of Coochbehar Natabari, where the quiet hum of democracy should reign, darkness descended like a shroud last night. Amidst the flickering lights of Booth No. 175, nestled within the Pani Shala area, a scene of horror unfolded. Mustafa Ali, entrusted with the solemn… pic.twitter.com/MWppejKPra — BJP West Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) April 19, 2024 × Watch this report: × Meanwhile, Union Minister and BJP candidate from Cooch Behar Lok Sabha constituency Nisith Pramanik cast his vote. Pramanik claimed: "TMC is trying to prevent people from reaching the booths. The fear of losing is visible in TMC's eyes. People are fully prepared to oppose TMC goons. People will definitely respond to the violence through their votes." TMC has fielded Jagdish Chandra Barma Basunia and Congress has fielded Piya Roy Chowdhury from Cooch Behar Lok Sabha seat. #WATCH | West Bengal: Union Minister and BJP candidate from Cooch Behar Lok Sabha constituency Nisith Pramanik casts his vote in the first phase of the #LokSabhaElections2024 TMC has fielded Jagdish Chandra Barma Basunia and Congress has fielded Piya Roy Chowdhury from Cooch… pic.twitter.com/iLPkfR6Okz — ANI (@ANI) April 19, 2024 × Polling for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections started on Friday with more than 1,600 candidates, including eight Union ministers, two former chief ministers and an ex-governor will test their electoral fate. As many as 102 parliamentary constituencies across 21 states and Union territories will go to polls in the first phase which is also the largest of the seven phases of the elections. (With inputs from agencies)

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 1: Clashes erupt between BJP and TMC workers in West Bengal

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Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 1: Clashes erupt between BJP and TMC workers in West Bengal