A government school headmaster in West Bengal's Murshidabad district, who was also serving as a booth-level officer for the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, was found dead in a suspected suicide on Saturday night. This tragic incident marks the eighth reported death of a BLO since the SIR exercise began in the state on November 4.
Mounting Pressure Proves Fatal
Hamimul Islam (48), the headmaster of Paikmari Char Krishnapur Boys' School, was found hanging in the school's office. Family members and colleagues have pointed to the immense pressure from his dual responsibilities as the primary cause. Islam was the BLO for booth number 282 in the Bhagwangola assembly constituency, responsible for around 800 voters.
His brother, Farmanul Kalam, revealed that Islam had been under severe mental stress due to his BLO duties. Since the SIR process started, his routine was disrupted, often returning home only by 1:30 PM. On Saturday, he left for school around 10 AM. When he did not return and his phone was switched off, the family grew worried.
A Desperate Search and a Tragic Discovery
After initial searches at the school around 7:30 PM proved futile, family members returned around 11 PM and conducted a thorough check of the rooms. It was then they discovered the headmaster's body. His mobile phone remains missing and police have initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Islam's wife, Sima Bibi, painted a grim picture of her husband's final days. The sole earning member of the family, he was also suffering from severe back pain. "Every day he had to work till 1 am. He had to take medicines for headache almost every day," she said, adding that he took the extreme step due to unbearable mental pressure. She expressed anguish over the future of their two children.
Systemic Strain and Political Backlash
Assistant BLO Michhu Sheikh corroborated the account of overwhelming stress. He explained that as headmaster, Islam was managing the new academic session and admissions, while simultaneously fulfilling his demanding SIR duties. The introduction of new features in the BLO app added to his anxieties.
The death has sparked local protests. Trinamool Congress leaders organized a rally, blaming the excessive SIR workload for the series of BLO deaths. This incident echoes a similar tragedy last month in Bankura, where a 53-year-old primary school headmaster and BLO was also found hanging, leaving behind a note that read, "I cannot take this pressure any more, farewell."
The recurring deaths of Booth Level Officers have put a spotlight on the intense pressure associated with the electoral roll revision process in West Bengal, raising serious questions about the workload and support systems for these crucial grassroots democracy workers.
