CPI(M) couple burnt to death hours before panchayat polls in Bengal

Canning (WB), May 14

A couple were burnt to death at their home in South 24 Parganas district early on Monday, hours before panchayat polls were to being in West Bengal, police said.

Family members of the victims, stated to be a CPI(M) worker and his wife, alleged that goons of the ruling Trinamool Congress set fire to the house at Kachharabari locality of Kakdwip at around 1 am.

"An incident of fire was reported. A man and his wife were burnt to death. Forensic experts have been called," Sundarbans Coastal police district SP Tathagata Basu said.

CPI(M) district secretary Shamik Lahiri named some people claiming that those goons of the Trinamool Congress had assaulted party worker Debaprasad Das and his wife Usha and then set the house afire.

Minister and local Trinamool MLA Mantu Pakhira denied the allegation and said the fire may have been caused by short circuit. PTI