Pre-Poll Violence Death Toll Rises to 17 in Bengal, 2 Killed in Past 9 Hrs

Kolkata: Two more persons were killed in pre-poll violence related to July 8 panchayat elections in West Bengal. With it, the death toll in pre-poll violence in the state rose to 17.

The most recent victim was Dilip Nahra, whose wife Chobi Nahara is an independent candidate. Dilip’s body was recovered near a pond at Serenda area in Birbhum district’s Mohammad Bazar locality on Thursday. Chobi alleged that her husband was the victim of political vengeance.

On Wednesday night, a man named Kamal Sheikh (30) was killed in a crude bomb blast at Beldanga in Murshidabad district. It is suspected that the blast occurred during manufacturing of crude bombs.