Supporters protest against the killing of an independent candidate during panchayat polls, at Barasat in North 24 Parganas district, in West Bengal. File
| Photo Credit: PTI
The West Bengal Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has decided to provide jobs to relatives of those killed in panchayat elections in the State. The Cabinet on Friday ratified the decision announced by Ms. Banerjee on July 12.
Sources said the process of giving jobs to the next of kin of the victims had already started. Jobs are being given to the next of kin of the deceased as Home Guard of the West Bengal Police. The State government had earlier also given jobs to people affected by violence particularly those killed by central security forces.
More than 40 people were killed during the panchayat elections from the day of nomination to the counting of votes. Nomination for the panchayat election was issued on June 9 and the polls were held on July 8. The counting of votes was on July 11. More than ten political activists were killed on the day of polling on July 8. The Trinamool Congress registered a convincing victory winning more than 90% seats.
The Chief Minister had said that the death toll was 19, adding that most of those who were killed were supporters of the Trinamool Congress.
While Ms. Banerjee had said that compensation will be given irrespective of political lines, leaders of the Opposition parties raised questions on the intent of the state government. Earlier this week, two more leaders of Trinamool Congress, including a gram pradhan, were killed in two separate incidents in South 24 Parganas and North 24 Parganas. The violence is largely believed to have been the result of inter party feuds and the violence was a result of rivalries at the panchayat level.