For days now, West Bengal has witnessed an unending cycle of violence. What began as communal violence on the occasion of Ram Navami has now given way to political violence. Today, large parts of the state such as Birbhum, Bankura, Murshidabad and Jalpaiguri resemble a war zone with heavy security deployment. Though fact of the matter is none of that police presence has proved to be a deterrent for the violence. The BJP has alleged that dozens of its party workers as well as candidates for the upcoming Panchayat polls have been targeted repeatedly by Trinamool cadres and supporters. From being intimidated and threatened to being assaulted in several instances the BJP says it is a clear ploy by the ruling Trinamool to make it difficult for the saffron party and its candidates to contest the crucial Panchayat polls slated to be held in the first week of May.