Violence Erupts at Election Hearing in Malda's Kumaraj
In a disturbing incident that has raised serious concerns about electoral integrity, two micro observers were physically assaulted by angry villagers during a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) hearing in Kumarganj, South Dinajpur district of Malda on Saturday. The attack occurred at an ICDS centre located adjacent to the Block Development Officer (BDO) office, where the crucial hearing was being conducted.
Protest Over 'No Match Found' Marks Turns Violent
The hearing was organized for voters from booths 123, 124, and 125 under the Zakhirpur Gram Panchayat. According to sources familiar with the proceedings, tensions began to escalate when more than 200 individuals were marked as 'no match found' in the electoral rolls. This designation, which indicates discrepancies between voter documents and official records, sparked immediate protests from the affected individuals.
Protesters reportedly surrounded micro observer Dibyendu Gorai and allegedly pressured him to change the decision regarding their status. When Gorai refused to alter the official marking, he was allegedly slapped by one of the angry villagers. The situation quickly deteriorated as the crowd grew more agitated.
Second Observer Targeted While Trying to Intervene
Seeing his colleague under attack, the second micro observer, Dilip Lakra, reportedly stepped forward in an attempt to restrain the crowd and de-escalate the situation. However, his intervention proved futile as he too was manhandled by the protesters. Witnesses described chaotic scenes where villagers shouted that despite producing all necessary documents, they had been unfairly marked as 'no matching found'.
The protesters expressed frustration over what they perceived as bureaucratic hurdles preventing their legitimate participation in the electoral process. The incident has highlighted the intense emotions surrounding voter registration and verification procedures in the region.
Political Fallout and Accusations
The assault on election officials has triggered a significant political controversy, with junior Union minister Sukanta Majumdar weighing in on the matter. Majumdar directly accused Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers of engaging in hooliganism, claiming that such behavior receives tacit support from the local administration and police.
This allegation adds another layer to the already tense political atmosphere in West Bengal, where electoral processes are frequently scrutinized for fairness and transparency. The incident raises questions about security arrangements for election officials conducting sensitive hearings in potentially volatile situations.
Local authorities have yet to release an official statement regarding the incident or any potential arrests. The attack on micro observers—who play a crucial role in ensuring the integrity of electoral revisions—has drawn attention to the challenges faced by election officials in maintaining order during contentious verification processes.
