Three dead in 653 pre-poll incidents in Bengal

Kolkata, April 25 (IANS) Three people were killed in 653 incidents of pre-poll violence in West Bengal since the March 5 announcement of Lok Sabha elections, an official said Friday.

"As many as 576 were injured during this phase," Amit Roy Chaudhury, officer on special duty in the chief electoral officer's office, told reporters here.

Damage to property amounted to Rs.2.69 lakh.

He also confirmed the death of a micro observer in Murshidabad district's Domkal Wednesday, a day before the second phase of polls in the state. According to initial reports, the official suffered a stroke.

Jangipur, Murshidabad, Malda North, Malda South, Balurghat and Raiganj seats witnessed polling Thursday with a 81.75 percentage turnout.

Chaudhury also said oral rehydration salts (ORS) pouches were included in the polling personnels' kits to combat the heat.