Special Summary Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal faced significant disruptions and an act of violence on Monday, as protests erupted over the Election Commission's decision to bar Booth Level Agents (BLAs) from the proceedings. The situation escalated with an attack on an EC observer's vehicle in South 24 Parganas.
Observer's Vehicle Attacked in Mograhat
The day's tensions turned violent in Mograhat, located in South 24 Parganas district. Special roll observer C Murugan, an IAS officer tasked with supervising the SIR process for the South 24 Parganas and Kolkata South Lok Sabha constituencies, was on a field visit when he encountered protesters. The agitators allegedly damaged the handle lock of a door on his official vehicle. Following the incident, the Election Commission has directed Murugan to submit a detailed report on the attack.
Despite the intimidation, Murugan remained resolute. He asserted his commitment to his duty, stating, "I came to do my job and I will do it. What do I have to fear? I am an IAS officer. I have come here on Election Commission's instructions. It is the administration's responsibility to provide me with security."
Hearings Halted in Hooghly and Midnapore
Parallel protests, sparked by the EC's order to exclude BLAs from the SIR hearings, brought the revision process to a standstill in other parts of the state. In Hooghly's Chinsurah-Mogra block office, hearings were suspended after Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Asit Mazumdar strongly objected to the move.
Mazumdar made the party's stance clear to reporters, declaring, "Unless BLAs are allowed or officials give in writing that they will not be allowed, we will not allow the hearings." Following this declaration, the gates of the block office were closed, preventing officials and the public from entering the premises and effectively halting the work.
A similar scene of protest and disruption unfolded in Midnapore, where the SIR hearings were also disrupted on Monday.
Administrative Intervention Resumes Process
The deadlock in Chinsurah was eventually broken after intervention from higher authorities. Following a prod from the Election Commission, the District Magistrate (DM) arrived at the Chinsurah-Mogra block office. The DM's intervention helped calm the situation and ensured that the stalled SIR hearings could resume later in the day.
The day's events highlight the charged political atmosphere surrounding the electoral roll revision process in West Bengal. The role of BLAs, who are appointed by political parties to oversee the process at the ground level, remains a contentious issue, with parties insisting on their presence for transparency.
