In the wake of the first phase of voting for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, violence has erupted in various parts of the country, including Kolkata. Reports of violence have surfaced from West Bengal, Manipur, and Chhattisgarh. In Bihar's Nawada, an incident of theft occurred where a soldier's SLR rifle and 20 bullets were stolen from booth number 234, leading to the suspension of the soldier.

In Manipur, gunfire was reported at a polling center in Thamnapokpi, Bishnupur district, under the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha constituency, injuring three people. Additionally, there were reports of vandalism of EVMs at a booth in Thongju, Imphal East. Voting is underway in both Inner and Outer Manipur constituencies, with some booths in violence-affected areas of the Outer constituency scheduled for polling on April 26. The Kuki community's group, Young Kuki, has announced a boycott of the elections, citing grievances over their rights and the prevailing situation in Manipur.

Meanwhile, in Chhattisgarh's Usur Thana area of Bijapur district, a jawan was injured in an under-barrel grenade launcher (UBGL) blast, with a polling center located just 500 meters away. The injured jawan has been taken to a hospital for treatment. In another incident, an Assistant Commandant of the CRPF deployed on election duty was injured in an IED blast in Chihka village of Bhairamgarh. Violence has also erupted in Kuchbihar, West Bengal, with stone-pelting incidents reported, resulting in injuries to several individuals, including a BJP booth president. Furthermore, a bomb was recovered outside the home of a BJP worker in Dinhata, Kuchbihar.

Tension has escalated in areas like Rajakhora, and videos circulating on social media depict the volatile atmosphere in Kuchbihar during polling. In some regions like Dabgram-Fulbari in Jalpaiguri, temporary offices of political parties have been set on fire. These incidents have instilled fear among the residents, questioning the safety of voting.

Additionally, a video showing an attack in Dinajpur has emerged on social media, further fueling concerns about the election environment. Reports suggest that in Chandmari, Kuchbihar, there was a clash between BJP booth president Laab Sarkar and supporters of the ruling TMC, resulting in severe injuries to Sarkar. He has been admitted to a hospital for treatment.

In Barokodali Gram Panchayat, an attack was carried out on a leader of the ruling TMC, with the party accusing the BJP of orchestrating the assault. Trinamool Congress workers were allegedly subjected to violence by BJP activists led by their booth president before reaching polling centers 226 and 227.

The incidents of violence during the first phase of polling raise concerns about the security and integrity of the electoral process. It also highlights the need for stringent measures to ensure the safety of voters and polling personnel in the upcoming phases of the Lok Sabha elections.

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