Kolkata/IBNS: In almost a continuation of what was witnessed before the polls over the last one month, clashes and violence marred the key West Bengal three-tier panchayat elections, which will be a litmus test for all parties ahead of the 2024 General Elections, being held on Saturday.

At least eight people have been killed since the polling began this morning, reports said.

The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), which is accused by the Opposition of indulging in violence, has claimed three of its volunteers have been murdered and two others were injured

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the prime opposition force in the state, has claimed one of its workers has been killed in the Cooch Behar district.

In some polling booths, ballots were burnt, waters were thrown and even local supporters were spotted displaying guns during the clashes.

Over five crore people will vote to elect over 928 representatives across 22 zilla parishads, 9,730 panchayat samitis and 63,229 gram panchayat seats.

'Most booths not guarded by central force'

Though the central force have been deployed for the security cover of the polls in the state, which is known for election violences over decades, paramilitary personnel are not seen in most polling booths.

A senior officer in charge of the central forces said, as reported by The Telegraph, not more than four jawans will be deployed in one place over concern for the security of the troops.

As per estimation, most of over 61,000 polling booths will not be guarded by the paramilitary forces.

'Mamata is murderer,' says Suvendu Adhikari

Over the widespread violence and killing even on the polling day, Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has slammed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has termed the nomination process "peaceful", for holding the election in one of the country's biggest states in one day.

"This election was about to be administered by state police. BJP went to the court so security forces have been sent but she (Mamata Banerjee) didn't utilise it.

"How can the election be held in such a big state in a single day! Mamata Banerjee wanted 200 people to be killed and the situation is heading towards it. Mamata is a murderer."

Pre-poll violence

West Bengal, which is known for poll violence over the decades, saw the deaths of about 18 people during the nomination process of the panchayat elections.

Bhangar, where the ruling TMC is at the loggerheads with new party Indian Secular Front, turned out to be the hotbed of violence and clashes.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had accused ISF MLA Naushad Siddiqui of conspiring along with some "ultra leftists" to create a disturbance in the area, which has remained TMC's stronghold before the 2021 assembly elections.