BUPC leaders alleged around 2,000 voting identity cards were snatched by the CPI(M) cadres in various villages, including Satengabari, Gokulnagar, Jalpai, Saudkhali and Sonachura. “This is a farce. The administration is escorting villagers back to their homes. Then they are getting beaten up and their cards snatched. We have lodged a number of complaints. I do not think our supporters will be allowed to vote,” said Sheikh Sufiyan, TMC leader. Five districts — Bankura, Burdwan, Purulia, East and West Midnapore districts — will vote on Sunday.

At Rainagar, CRP jawans were thwarted by local police against house searches for firearms. Search operations were stalled for two hours, but later resumed.