Sporadic violence and clashes disrupted polling during the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections. Incidents in Murshidabad saw stone-pelting and vandalism, prompting police action. The Election Commission has sought detailed reports from affected areas (Pics/PTI and Screengrab from X)

A charged political atmosphere  and contrasting narratives on women’s empowerment in Jammu was seen as BJP and Congress workers held competing protests over the Women’s Reservation Act. (Pics/PTI)