Kolkata: Phase III of assembly polls in 62 constituencies of West Bengal on THursday witnessed a series of clashes between political rivals during which bombs were exploded but the violence failed to deter the electors who came out in large numbers, recording a 79.22 per cent voter turnout.
The Election Commission said here that the turnout could be more as the figures were based on text messages sent by polling officials from the field till 5 pm.
Deputy Election Commission in charge of West Bengal Sandeep Saxena said while one person was found murdered near a polling station, nine others were injured in clashes between political rivals during which crude bombs were used.
Read: Violence mars West Bengal polls, 1 CPI(M) worker dead
A government official on poll duty, who was maintaining the queue at a booth in Burdwan district, died apparently of sunstroke.
A presiding officer in a booth in Burdwan was removed complaints by polling agents that he was trying to influence voters.
Union Minister Babul Supriyo was allegedly heckled at a polling booth in Jorasanko constituency in the city when he went to cast his vote, along with his mother.
Election Commission sources said forces were sent and the situation was brought under control.
Read: CPI(M) worker killed in clash as West Bengal votes in Assembly polls
The body of a 35-year-old CPI(M) supporter, identified as Tahidur Islam, was found about 500 metres away from the polling booth at Shibapara area of Domkal assembly seat in Murshidabad district.
In Kolkata, Trinamool leader Anwar Khan was arrested following instructions from Chief Electoral Officer Sunil Gupta after he was shown on TV channels abusing the poll panel while talking to a party worker over phone.
In Burdwan's Ketugram constituency, four persons were injured in separate incidents. A CPI(M) worker's ear was slashed and the leg of another party supporter fractured in a scuffle in front of a booth number 78. Two other CPI(M) workers were injured at booth number 48 when bombs were reportedly hurled at them.
District Election Officer Soumitra Mohan said four persons have been arrested in this connection.
He said a presiding officer of Khandaghosh seat was removed after complaints by polling agents that he was trying to influence voters.
Domkal CPI(M) candidate and former minister Anisur Rahman claimed that Islam was killed when bombs were hurled outside the polling booth, while district superintendent of police C Sudhakar said the murder was not related to the polls.
Left parties have blamed the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) for the killing and alleged that it has unleashed a reign of terror to intimidate voters.
TMC on the other hand said the death was a fallout of infighting between the alliance partners Congress and Left Front.
