Kolkata, April 21 (IANS) The CPI-M on Thursday alleged that a party polling agent was killed in poll violence during the third phase of the West Bengal assembly polls in Murshidabad. The district administration rejected the allegation, saying the man was not a polling agent and his body was placed near a polling booth.
Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Anisur Rahaman, who is contesting from Domkal, claimed that Tahidul Islam was their polling agent and was killed after being "attacked with bombs by Trinamool goons".
Islam's daughter too claimed "Trinamool goons hurled bombs and fired bullets" at her father, killing him.
However, the district administration in its report to the Election Commission said Islam did not die "in any clash or bomb blast".
"The body of Tahidul Islam was found 500 metres away from Haridoba Notunpara with a sharp cut injury. Apparently, he was murdered by unknown people and the body was placed on the road. The allegation of the victim being a polling agent has been checked with the presiding officer and found to be incorrect.
"He didn't die of any clash or bomb blast", said the report, adding that the man sustained sharp cut injuries on the right side of his face, the right palm and left lower leg.
While a police officer present at the site where Islam's body was found said "prime facie it appears crude bombs were thrown at him", the report to the EC claimed TV clippings showing bomb explosions in the area did not occur in the district.
"The TV clippings of bomb blast is not related to this incident and any of Murshidabad district. Till now, no complaint has been lodged. The relatives of the victim have been requested to lodge a complaint to take necessary legal action," said the report.
Rubbishing the report, CPI-M leader Rahaman accused the administration of "acting in favour of the ruling Trinamool Congress".
"The report is a clear indication of the district administration acting in favour of the Trinamool. We have documents to prove Islam was our polling agent. It is an attempt to shield those behind the attack," he said.
