Listen to this article:

Kolkata: West Bengal has witnessed widespread political violence, arson, vandalism, intimidation, and communal tension in the 48 hours since there was a change in political power. From Kolkata to Birbhum, covering stretches of Howrah, Murshidabad, South 24 Parganas, Hooghly, Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar, reports point to a pattern of attacks on opposition workers, members of the Muslim community, student activists, hawkers and party offices. The violence has raised serious questions about the Bharatiya Janata Party’s conduct after its victory, but more importantly, about the Election Commission of India’s failure to ensure law and order during a volatile transition.

Two deaths were reported from Udaynarayanpur in Howrah and Beliaghata in Kolkata. Though the dead were claimed to be supporters of rival parties, no written complaints had reportedly been filed in these cases. In Birbhum’s Nanur, BJP workers were accused of hacking farmer Abir Sheikh to death in broad daylight on the road. Another person, Chandu Sheikh, was injured and hospitalized.

In Murshidabad’s Domkal, CPI(M) local leader Safikul Islam was shot from close range by three miscreants. Threats had allegedly been issued since the start of the election to the CPI(M)’s only victorious candidate in Bengal.

प्रसिद्ध गायक अरिजित सिंह के शहर जियागंज (मुर्शिदाबाद जिला) में लेनिन की मूर्ति को भाजपा समर्थक तोड़ रहे हैं। pic.twitter.com/CjfDsnSm5J — सीपीआई(एम) पश्चिम बंगाल (@CPIMWestBengal) May 5, 2026

प्रसिद्ध गायक अरिजित सिंह के शहर जियागंज (मुर्शिदाबाद जिला) में लेनिन की मूर्ति को भाजपा समर्थक तोड़ रहे हैं। pic.twitter.com/CjfDsnSm5J

— सीपीआई(एम)........

© The Wire