13 die in Indian political clashes

Rival political workers clashed during local elections today in an eastern Indian state, leaving at least 13 dead and dozens injured, police said.

In an attempt to curb poll violence, police detained hundreds of people during the votes for village councils – called Panchayats – in Communist-ruled West Bengal state, Inspector General of Police Chayan Mukherjee said.

Today’s voting was marred by incidents of bomb-throwing, gunfire, vote-rigging and voter intimidation, police and political parties said.

Opposition politicians described it as the worst poll-related violence in the state in years.

Political clashes ahead of the elections claimed the lives of at least 27 people. A federal minister was also attacked during the campaign.

Violence was widespread in the southern districts of North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas and Murshidabad and the districts of Jalpaiguri and Malda in the north, Mukherjee said.

All the deaths were reported from these districts.

Opposition parties blamed the Communist Party-led coalition, which governs the state, and demanded the elections be declared invalid.

“The election was a farce. We demand fresh election,” said Tathagata Roy, president of the state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The state’s Chief Electoral Officer Ajay Sinha said re-polling would be held in 32 booths, but maintained that balloting was largely peaceful.

Some 65% of about 30 million eligible voters exercised their franchise.