People were seen in long queues in booths of areas, which were once a hot-bed of violence. Even in areas bordering CPM-dominated Khejuri, the polling went on peacefully.

“We have never seen so tight security here. In the May panchayat elections, I came to the polling booth at Hussainpur primary school but had to run away without casting my vote because of the ongoing violence between the political parties,” said Amanara Bibi, a resident of Hussainpur.

For nearly 100-year-old Kabusan Bibi, who was taken by her relatives in a van to Kulsumia Primary school in Samsabad, it was a happy moment. “Heavy violence was reported in panchayat elections and my relatives could not take me to vote. But today I could register my vote,” Kabusan said.

CPM Nandigram zonal secretary Ashok Bera, however, said: “People were not allowed to vote. Trinamool goons threatened and thrashed hundreds of our followers. How can we call it free and fair polls? At Reyapara four of our party supporters were beaten up.”

Trinamool district leader Sisir Adhikary shot back. “The CPM is terrorising our supporters. We are sure of a win. The four persons injured at Reyapara are our supporters and were attacked by CPM goons.”