Gunfire and street fights reported from parts of Kolkata as TMC-BJP trade blame after polls

KOLKATA: After a relatively peaceful day of voting, Kolkata and its northern industrial fringe witnessed incidents of violence with TMC and BJP trading allegations of attacks, firing and reprisals.In Bhatpara, TMC functionary Tapas Das was shot twice and critically injured late Wednesday. No arrest has been made. Former Jagaddal MLA and TMC candidate Somnath Shyam alleged aides of a BJP MP were involved in the shooting. BJP candidate Rajesh Kumar, a former IPS officer, called the charge false, alleging TMC-backed miscreants are often behind firing and bomb attacks in the belt.In southwest Kolkata’s Behala, police arrested seven people after clashes in Ward 129.

TMC functionaries alleged BJP-backed attackers targeted their party workers at a local office.Former councillor Anjan Das suffered a head wound, while another person was left with a skull fracture. He underwent surgery and his condition is said to be critical.BJP countered that TMC members stormed the home of Prosenjit Brahma around 8pm, alleging both he and his brother Abhijit — said to be associated with RSS — were assaulted.Elsewhere in south Kolkata, TMC alleged central forces assaulted residents in New Alipore, leaving nine wounded. TMC also alleged that central forces baton-charged its workers near Jodhpur Park Women’s Polytechnic.