Four Killed, Over 400 Arrested in Post-Election Violence in West Bengal

At least four people have been killed and more than 400 individuals arrested in connection with post-election violence in the Indian state of West Bengal, according to state police authorities.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) Siddhanath Gupta said that 433 people had been arrested so far from Kolkata and several other districts across the state over allegations of involvement in the violence.

“So far, four people have died in post-election violence in West Bengal. More than 200 cases have been filed across the state, and 433 accused persons have been arrested. Our operations to apprehend those involved are continuing,” the police chief said.

Voting for the West Bengal Assembly election was held on April 23 and April 29, while the Election Commission announced the results on May 4. Reports of violence began emerging from different parts of the state from Monday night immediately after the results were declared.

According to reports, supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) allegedly vandalized offices of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and attacked party activists in Kolkata and other districts following the announcement of the results. In several areas, however, BJP workers and supporters also reportedly came under attack from TMC activists.

Tensions remain high in different parts of the state, with both parties blaming each other for the unrest.

Among those killed in the violence are supporters of both the TMC and BJP.

Meanwhile, Chandranath Rath, personal secretary to senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari—considered a frontrunner for the post of West Bengal’s next chief minister—was shot dead by unidentified assailants on Tuesday. Following the incident, BJP leaders in West Bengal accused the TMC of carrying out “planned political assassinations.”

The Trinamool Congress, however, has blamed BJP-backed miscreants for the violence across the state.