1. The Tripura government, led by Forest Minister Animesh Debbaram, plans to plant 5 lakh saplings in a day.
2. Increase forest coverage to combat global warming amid scorching heatwave.
3. Current forest coverage is 66%; initiative targets expansion for environmental resilience.
Kolkata, May 07: Violence marred the third phase of Lok Sabha polling in West Bengal, with clashes erupting in polling booths across Murshidabad’s Lochanpur and Jangipur, involving three major parties of the state — CPI-M, TMC, and BJP. This recurrence of violence follows incidents witnessed during the preceding phases in Bengal.
In Lochanpur, CPI-M’s Murshidabad candidate Mohammed Salim alleged the presence of a ‘fake agent’ at a polling booth, purportedly installed after the ‘real’ representative of the party was assaulted and compelled to flee.
The altercation unfolded in front of central forces at booth number 36 in the Lochanpur area of Raninagar block, Domkal subdivision. Salim claimed Trinamool workers masqueraded as CPI-M agents and forged documents with his signature.
The ‘real’ CPI-M agent, Mostakin Sheikh, was reportedly in hiding at a nearby village, Paharpur, before being escorted back to the booth by Salim himself.
Meanwhile, in another incident, a clash erupted between a TMC booth president and BJP candidate Dhananjay Ghosh at a polling booth in Murshidabad’s Jangipur.
Ghosh accused the TMC of voter intimidation and complained to the Election Commission.
TMC leader Gautam Ghosh alleged Ghosh of intimidating voters as well, leading to the removal of both leaders by central forces.
Further exacerbating tensions, a crude bomb was allegedly hurled at the home of a Congress leader in Murshidabad’s Hariharpara, within the Berhampore subdivision.
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The Congress pointed fingers at the TMC, alleging voter intimidation as the motive behind the attack. Prompt action from the Hariharpara police followed the incident, promptly reaching the scene upon receiving the information.
Against this backdrop of violence, Lok Sabha polls proceeded for four seats in West Bengal — Malda North, Malda South, Jangipur, and Murshidabad.
Candidates from various parties contested fiercely for these constituencies, reflecting the intense electoral dynamics in the state.
Despite the challenges posed by violence, polling commenced, with Bengal recording a voter turnout of 15.85% by 9 AM.
