Tensions flared in the Nowda area of Murshidabad district on Thursday as Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers clashed with supporters of the Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AUJP) during the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026. The violence erupted shortly after AUJP founder Humayun Kabir, a former TMC MLA who was sacked by the party in December 2025, visited the site of a poll-eve crude bomb attack that injured at least one person the previous night.
The incident took place in the Shibnagar area near Shivnagar Primary School and polling booths 9 and 10 in the Nowda assembly constituency. According to eyewitness accounts and video footage shared on social media, the clash involved groups of men carrying sticks and party flags confronting each other on a street. Police personnel in riot gear, equipped with helmets, shields and lathis, moved in to disperse the crowd amid the clash and shouting.
The trouble began on Wednesday evening (April 22) around 8 PM when unidentified individuals hurled several crude bombs on a road near the polling station. A victim who had stepped out for Namaz told ANI, "I had stepped out yesterday to offer Namaz at around 8 pm… I was standing… two boys came and threw a bomb near my foot. Humayun Kabir's party workers have done this."
Reports indicated that at least one woman sustained injuries in the blast, with her condition described as stable. Some accounts mentioned multiple people hurt, though exact numbers were not immediately confirmed by authorities.
TMC candidate Sahina Mumtaz Khan, who was in the vicinity, claimed she may have been the intended target and questioned the security lapse despite heavy deployment. TMC MP Abu Taher Khan blamed "miscreants associated with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AUJP)," alleging the attack was meant to intimidate voters.
On Thursday morning, as polling began at 7 AM across 152 constituencies in Phase 1, Humayun Kabir visited the blast site. His arrival triggered heated arguments and a scuffle with TMC workers, who raised slogans against him. Kabir was seen surrounded by Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel during the verbal altercation.
Kabir dismissed the allegations against his party, stating, "In Nowda, Rejinagar and all 22 seats of Murshidabad, peaceful elections are taking place. But in 2 booths of Nowda here, in number 9 and number 10, some incident happened overnight. They snatched the bags of local Police." He added, "I told my people to stay calm. Voting should be held peacefully. I have no intention of hurting or threatening anyone."
In a separate overnight incident in Domkal block's Sardarpara area (Raipur village), a clash between CPI(M) and TMC supporters using sharp weapons injured at least three people, one of whom was in critical condition.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Majid Khan told ANI that the situation was brought under control and described it as "peaceful," with no further escalation reported. Heavy security, including 316 companies of CAPF, has been specifically deployed in Murshidabad due to the district's history of violence.
As of late morning on April 23, overall Phase 1 turnout in West Bengal stood at around 41% by 11 AM, with authorities confirming that voting resumed smoothly in affected areas after interventions. The Election Commission has sought reports on the Murshidabad incidents.