Five youths died in two separate incidents under the Sitalkuchi Assembly constituency, Cooch Behar, during the 2021 Assembly elections.
As Bengal prepares to vote again, the bereaved families still battle raw grief and await justice.
In Jorpatki village, four young men — Moniruzzaman, Hamidul Mia, Chamiul Haque and Nur Alam Mia — were killed in firing by the CISF personnel at a polling booth in the Amtali Madhyamik Siksha Kendra (MSK) on April 10, 2021.
The central forces had opened fire to control alleged violence in the booth.
However, residents alleged that the forces opened fire indiscriminately.
The incident triggered widespread political controversy at the time, with the ruling Trinamool and the BJP trading accusations.
Five years later, the families continue to grapple with loss and uncertainty.
Moniruzzaman’s younger brother, Pinku Rahman, says the family has never recovered.
“My brother, a migrant worker, had come home just to vote.
He was killed in the queue of voters.
He left behind a newborn daughter,” he recalls.
Although the state provided a home guard job to the victim’s widow, she later moved away with her child and cut off contact with her in-laws.
“Tell me, are we really doing well?” Pinku asks.
Other affected families share similar stories.
While some members received government jobs, economic hardship and emotional trauma persist.
Most members of these four bereaved families avoided speaking about the incident.
A memorial now stands at the Amtali MSK ground, where locals gather every year on April 10 to observe the day in memory of those killed.
Members of the Shaheed Smriti Raksha Committee say justice remains elusive.
“The case against the CISF personnel is still pending.
Families....
