Violence linked to the West Bengal panchayat elections is showing no signs of abating, with four more deaths reported on July 12, prompting Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to appeal for peace. Ms. Banerjee, who has maintained silence since July 8, when large-scale violence was reported, said that she was saddened by the deaths. The State government will pay a compensation of ₹2 lakh to the kin of the deceased, along with a job for one person as Home Guard of West Bengal Police, she added.
While over 40 deaths have been reported in the State during the rural polls, the Chief Minister said that the number of deceased was 19, and 10-12 of them were supporters of the Trinamool Congress.
On Wednesday morning, three persons died at Bhangar in the State’s South 24 Parganas district, including two supporters of the Indian Secular Front (ISF), and a local villager.
