Centre seeks report on poll clashes

New Delhi: Taking note of violence during the Panchayat elections in West Bengal on Monday, the home ministry has sought a detailed report from the state government as 17 people are reported to have been killed while 43 others were injured during the poll clashes.

According to the ministry the state government has been directed to send a detailed report on the circumstances leading to the violence and the steps taken to restore peace and punish those involved in the violence. Large-scale violence was reported during Panchayat elections despite heavy deployment of security forces. Clashes were reported between supporters of the ruling Trinamul Congress and the opposition parties occurred in several parts of state like North and South 24 Parganas, Nadia, Murshidabad and South Dinajpur.districts.

 More than 60,000 security personnel from West Bengal and neighbouring states were deployed for these elections.