Photographers caned by security men during WB polls

Security personnel allegedly lathicharged photo journalists at a polling station in Malda district when they tried to photograph state Environment Minister Sailen Sarkar after he entered the booth to cast his vote on Monday, officials said.

The incident occurred when Sarkar, environment and parliamentary affairs minister, entered the booth at Malda Women's College and the waiting photo journalists followed him. The security personnel objected to their entry into the booth.

When the photographers ignored their instructions, the men in uniform started caning them.

Some of the photographers sustained minor injuries in the incident that occurred during the first phase of polling held in the six districts of North Bengal, they said.

Meanwhile, Bharati Tamang, All India Gorkha League candidate and wife of its slain president Madan Tamang, alleged that rival Gorkha Janmukti Morcha has resorted to rigging in several areas of Darjeeling constituency.

The GJM indulged in rigging in booths at Bhutia Bustee, Maharani High School, St Riza School and others, she claimed.

Malfunctioning of EVMs was reported from several booths in the districts and they were replaced.