Violence broke out at a Block Development Officer office in Farakka on Wednesday during hearings for the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Police have registered a First Information Report against unidentified individuals following intervention by the Election Commission.
Protesting BLOs Disrupt SIR Process
The incident occurred during a sit-in protest organized by Booth Level Officers in Farakka. These BLOs expressed strong dissatisfaction with what they called frequent rule changes by the Election Commission for SIR hearings. They claimed these constant modifications were causing unnecessary harassment to voters.
BLOs presented specific complaints about their working conditions. They stated that despite collecting all required documents and uploading them to the designated application as instructed, officials kept demanding additional paperwork repeatedly. Correction orders continued to arrive without clear resolution.
Personal Lives Severely Affected
The protesting officers emphasized that the entire responsibility for the electoral revision process seemed to rest solely on their shoulders. This overwhelming workload had created serious disruptions to their personal and family lives according to their statements.
Political Involvement Escalates Situation
While BLOs maintained their peaceful protest, local leaders and workers from the ruling Trinamool Congress party joined the demonstration at the BDO office. They blocked the main gate of the government building and shouted slogans demanding immediate suspension of the SIR process.
The situation deteriorated significantly when local TMC MLA Monirul Islam arrived at the location. Following his appearance, authorities temporarily suspended all Special Intensive Revision hearings at that office.
Office Vandalized, Official Injured
According to police reports, an angry mob proceeded to ransack the BDO office premises. Witnesses described chairs being broken and thrown during the violence. An Assistant Electoral Registration Officer sustained hand injuries when chairs were hurled in his direction.
Police based their FIR on a formal complaint filed by the local Block Development Officer. The charges include multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita covering criminal trespass, obstruction of government officials, and related offenses. Authorities also invoked the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
MLA Defends Public Outburst
Contacted by telephone, TMC MLA Monirul Islam characterized the incident as a spontaneous public outburst. He explained that local residents felt deeply frustrated by what they perceived as harassment during SIR hearings.
"People expressed legitimate anger about being called for hearings even when they had submitted all required documents," Islam stated. "Why should someone with six children be repeatedly summoned? This reasonable frustration triggered a minor commotion. I simply stood with citizens facing hearing process harassment. Some individuals are exaggerating a small incident."
The Special Intensive Revision represents a crucial electoral roll updating process ahead of upcoming elections. This violent disruption in Farakka highlights growing tensions between election officials and ground-level workers implementing the revision procedures.
