West Bengal, one of India’s most populous states, has witnessed a disturbing surge in political violence over the years. This violence has become deeply entrenched, particularly during elections, when injuries, deaths, and disruptions occur regularly. Political violence has transformed elections into events that provoke fear rather than hope, particularly for those who have lost loved ones.
The recent Lok Sabha elections in 2024 saw significant violence during the final phase of polling on June 1. Voting took place in nine constituencies: Dum Dum, Barasat, Basirhat, Jaynagar, Mathurapur, Diamond Harbour, Jadavpur, Kolkata Dakshin, and Kolkata Uttar. According to the Election Commission, by 3 PM on polling day, 2,667 complaints were registered. These included reports of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) malfunctions, booth agents being prevented from entering polling stations, and voters being threatened or stopped from casting their votes. Despite the deployment of central armed security forces, violence persisted. The CPI(M)’s camp office in Jadavpur’s Ganguly Bagan was attacked, and a fake voter was apprehended in Baranagar with the help of central forces.
Reports also pointed to the use of hired guns, contract killings, and assassination attempts to manipulate elections and consolidate political power. Such incidents reflect a broader breakdown in law and order during key political events in the state.
Crude Bombs: A Persistent Threat
One of the most alarming aspects of political violence in West Bengal is the widespread use of crude bombs, locally known as peto. These devices are often bound with jute strings and packed with shrapnel such as nails, glass, and metal. Political activists deploy them to intimidate rivals, disrupt polling, and assert dominance over regions. However, the ones who end up bearing the brunt of these bombs are the children.
A BBC report published recently revealed that as of November 10, at least 565 child casualties were linked to bomb violence, including 94 deaths and 471 injuries. This translates to a child being injured or killed by bomb violence every 18 days on average. The impact on children highlights the indiscriminate nature of such violence and the failure to ensure public safety.
Historical Context of Violence in West Bengal
The roots of bomb-making in West Bengal can be traced back to the early 1900s during India’s independence struggle. In 1907, revolutionaries in Midnapore derailed a train carrying a British official using a bomb. Subsequent incidents, such as the botched assassination attempt in Muzaffarpur, marked the use of crude explosives in Bengal’s history. However, what began as tools of resistance against colonial rule have evolved into instruments of political intimidation and violence.
Political violence in West Bengal has been a recurring feature since India’s independence in 1947. Successive regimes — from the Congress party to the 34-year-long Communist-led Left Front rule, and the current Trinamool Congress government since 2011 — have failed to curb the cycle of violence.
In the late 1960s and 1970s, the state witnessed armed conflicts during the Naxalite insurgency, where Maoist rebels clashed with government forces. Over the decades, violence became ingrained in the state’s political culture, with political parties often accused of perpetuating this cycle to maintain power.
The persistence of political violence has taken a significant toll on residents of West Bengal. Communities, particularly in rural areas, are often caught in the crossfire of political rivalries. Elections, meant to be democratic processes, have become synonymous with fear and disruption. The increasing number of casualties, including children, underscores the urgent need for intervention.
Manbilas Singh is a talented writer and journalist who focuses on the finer details in every story and values integrity above everything. A self-proclaimed sleuth, he strives to expose the fine print behind seemingly mundane activities and aims to uncover the truth that is hidden from the general public. In his time away from work, he is a music aficionado and a nerd who revels in video & board games, books and Formula 1.
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