A Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel was wounded in a shooting incident late Sunday night near the residence of BJP candidate Pawan Singh in Bhatpara, located in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district. Following the incident, the Election Commission of India has requested a detailed report, officials confirmed on Monday.
The injured jawan, identified as Yogesh Sharma, was part of Singh’s security team. Singh is the son of senior BJP leader Arjun Singh. Sharma suffered a gunshot wound to his leg and was taken to a hospital for treatment.
Authorities have not yet determined who was responsible for the firing. The incident comes just days before the second phase of polling scheduled for April 29.
Police stated that unrest began earlier on Sunday evening in the Jagaddal area after a worker from the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) was allegedly attacked while putting up party flags and banners. In response, several TMC leaders went to the local police station to file a complaint.
Soon after, supporters from both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and TMC gathered at the police station, leading to heated arguments that escalated into physical clashes. Reports of stone-pelting emerged before the situation was eventually brought under control.
Later that night, tensions resurfaced near Singh’s residence. Eyewitnesses claimed that crude bombs were thrown and at least one round of gunfire was heard, during which the CISF jawan was injured. “Supporters from both sides gathered and the situation escalated to a scuffle further amplified to a stone-pelting,” an officer said.
A local TMC leader alleged that their party workers were attacked even while attempting to file a complaint, expressing concern over safety at the police station itself. The BJP denied these accusations and instead claimed that its supporters were targeted, alleging that the firing was carried out by individuals linked to TMC.
The TMC dismissed these allegations, holding the BJP responsible for the violence.
Police have since deployed additional forces in the area, and an investigation into the incident is ongoing.
