West Bengal BDO Office Faces Violent Attack During Election Hearings
A violent mob targeted the Block Development Officer office in Goalpokher-II, West Bengal on Thursday. The incident occurred during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision hearing process. Angry protesters vandalized and torched the government office, causing significant damage.
Mob Forces Entry and Destroys Property
According to official reports, approximately 300 people forcefully entered the BDO office premises between 9:30 am and 12:30 pm on January 15, 2026. The agitated crowd destroyed infrastructure across multiple sections of the office building.
The mob damaged furniture, electronic equipment, and official documents from several departments. Affected sections included the Relief Section, Social Welfare Section, and SHG and NRLM sections. Police estimate the damage to government property at around Rs 20 lakh.
Violence Escalates Despite Police Intervention
Police personnel rushed to the scene and attempted to control the situation by closing the main gate. Office staff locked doors and gates to protect themselves from the advancing mob.
However, the situation quickly escalated as more people joined the protestors. The mob forced its way back into the premises and continued their destructive rampage. After ransacking the office, they set fire to broken furniture and torn documents both inside and outside office rooms.
Injuries Reported During the Clash
Several police personnel sustained serious injuries while trying to resist the violent mob. The Inspector-in-Charge of Chakulia Police Station was among those reportedly badly hurt during the confrontation.
Office staff present during the attack also faced assault from the agitators. They required immediate medical attention and were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment and safety.
Election Hearing Process Sparks Tension
The BDO office had been issuing notices to voters for hearings related to the Special Intensive Revision process. This activity followed instructions from the Election Commission of India and district authorities.
On the day of the incident, officials scheduled 500 hearings to begin after 11 am. Around 50 to 60 people had already arrived at the office for this purpose when violence erupted.
Office staff tried to explain that the hearing process was routine administrative work. However, the mob refused to discuss the issue or make any formal representation about their concerns.
Road Blockades and Previous Incident
During the unrest, protesters blocked several roads connecting Islampur and Dalkhola. This action disrupted normal traffic flow in the area.
The Goalpokher-II incident follows a similar case of violence just one day earlier. On Monday afternoon, unidentified men allegedly ransacked the Farakka BDO office in Murshidabad district. That attack left a poll official injured.
Political Accusations and Investigation
Following the Farakka incident, BJP MLA Gouri Sankar made serious allegations against ruling party members. He accused Trinamool Congress MLA Manirul Islam of leading the vandalism at the government office.
Sankar also claimed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee instigated party cadres across West Bengal to indulge in violence. These accusations have added political tension to the already volatile situation.
Official Response and Evidence Collection
The Block Development Officer filed a First Information Report at Chaukulia Police Station immediately after the attack. The complaint seeks a thorough inquiry and action against those involved in the destruction.
Police have launched a formal investigation into the Goalpokher-II incident. Investigators received CCTV footage from the BDO office to assist their probe. The footage captured the entire sequence of events during the violent attack.
In his official complaint, the BDO described the incident as unprecedented. He noted that the mob destroyed various infrastructures across office premises and multiple sections. The complaint specifically requests lodging of an FIR against the miscreants responsible for the violence.
