“According to unofficial statistics, approximately 80 people died in the 2003 panchayat elections, 45 in 2008, and in 2013, the toll was 31. The toll increased to 75 in 2018”
The governor, who visited several violence-hit areas, said it "isn't a very happy situation". "The perpetrators of violence want murder, they want starvation, they want bullets. Instead of waging war, we must learn to wage peace."
The BJP alleged that State Election Commissioner Rajiva Sinha failed to hold the polls in a free and fair manner. The Leader of Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, led a BJP delegation to the SEC office.
According to a release issued by the CBI, the arrested have been identified as Sanjay Barik and Papiya Barik. The two were absconding after the incident happened in 2021.
The BJP activist was killed in Kankurgachi area on May 2 last year, shortly after results of West Bengal assembly elections were announced, as per PTI.
The CBI said it is probing the matter and numerous cases have been registered. Earlier in August this year, the Calcutta High Court ordered a court-monitored CBI probe into incidents of post-poll violence in West Bengal.