KOLKATA, April 29 -- Incidents of violence, vandalism and polling disruptions were reported from several parts of West Bengal during the early hours of voting in the second phase of the assembly elections on Wednesday, police said, prompting authorities to seek reports and step up security to ensure free and fair polling.

The incidents were reported from Chapra, Shantipur, Nimtala and Bhangar. In Chapra of Nadia district, a BJP polling agent, Mosharef Mir, was allegedly assaulted and later hospitalised, with BJP leaders accusing "miscreants linked to the ruling TMC" of the attack, a charge denied by the Trinamool Congress.

BJP candidate Saikat Sarkar claimed the assault occurred after the mock poll began, alleging that TMC supporters ob...