Fresh Violence Erupts at Bengal SIR Hearing Center
Violence flared up again in West Bengal during a Special Summary Revision hearing. This incident occurred in North Dinajpur's Chakulia area. It left at least five police personnel injured. Authorities detained ten persons in connection with the attack.
Sequence of Events in Chakulia
Protests began on Wednesday morning near the Chakulia police station. Villagers blocked roads and set tyres on fire. They demanded an explanation from the Block Development Officer. The villagers complained about repeated harassment during the hearing process.
The situation escalated quickly. Around three hundred angry villagers stormed the BDO office. They broke furniture and damaged office equipment. Important documents were also destroyed during the rampage.
BDO Sujoy Dhar assessed the damage. He stated that property worth approximately twenty lakh rupees was destroyed in the attack.
Police Intervention and Injuries
A police team arrived at the scene to control the mob. The agitated crowd responded by pelting stones at the officers. This stone-pelting injured five police personnel.
Police had to use force to disperse the crowd. They resorted to lathicharge and fired tear gas shells to bring the situation under control.
Protesters Voice Their Grievances
One of the protesters, Sakib Akhtar, explained their frustration. He said villagers were initially told that names appearing on the 2002 list would not cause problems for their children. Now, everyone faces calls over logical discrepancies.
"Even a minor mismatch in the spelling of names causes harassment," Akhtar stated. "Many local residents, especially women, are illiterate. Why should we appear for hearings again and again?"
Another agitator, Baijul Haque, issued a warning. "The Election Commission must stop harassing innocent people," Haque said. "Otherwise, there will be a movement against this injustice."
Election Commission's Strong Response
The Election Commission has taken a serious view of these incidents. Officials have sought detailed reports on both the Farakka and Chakulia violence. Sources indicate the poll panel sent a clear message to the Bengal Director General of Police.
The Commission stated that such violent incidents would not be tolerated under any circumstances. This comes just a day after similar vandalism occurred at the Farakka BDO office.
Micro-Observers Resign En Masse
In a related development, micro-observers in Farakka assembly constituency areas have resigned collectively. They wrote a letter to Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal. The observers protested against the violence at the BDO office.
"We hereby collectively withdraw from SIR duty with immediate effect," their letter stated. This mass resignation represents a significant challenge for election officials.
CEO Agarwal has issued fresh instructions to District Magistrates and District Election Officers. He clarified that no hearing center locations would be changed despite the violence.
Growing Tension Over SIR Process
These incidents highlight growing public frustration with the Special Summary Revision process. Villagers feel harassed by repeated hearings and documentation requirements. The violence suggests tensions are reaching a boiling point in several districts.
Authorities now face the dual challenge of maintaining law and order while ensuring the electoral revision process continues smoothly. The coming days will test both police preparedness and administrative sensitivity to public concerns.
