Why Were 2 Arrested After a Mob Led by a Trinamool MLA Vandalized the BDO Office?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Two arrests made following vandalism at BDO office.
- Allegations of voter registration harassment triggered the incident.
- Political tensions are high as parties react to the chaos.
- Demand for accountability from the Election Commission is growing.
- Public safety concerns arise amidst political protests.
Kolkata, Jan 14 (NationPress) Two individuals were apprehended on Wednesday following an enraged crowd, spearheaded by Trinamool Congress MLA from Farakka, Monirul Islam, who vandalized the Farakka Block Development Office (BDO) in Murshidabad district and looted the chamber of the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO).
The destruction caused by members of the ruling party led to the suspension of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) hearing of the voter list, which was in progress at the BDO office.
In the aftermath of the incident, the BDO of Farakka lodged a complaint at the Farakka police station, resulting in an FIR being filed under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act of 1984. Two individuals were detained for their suspected involvement in the criminal activities.
Earlier in the day, chaos erupted at the Farakka BDO office as demonstrators, led by the TMC MLA, wreaked havoc and vandalized the premises, alleging that the SIR hearing was causing undue hardship to ordinary citizens.
Slogans were chanted against the Election Commission. The mob further disrupted the SIR hearing process, which was ultimately halted due to the violence.
Trinamool MLA Monirul Islam stated that individuals were being unnecessarily troubled for minor discrepancies in their voter information. He accused the SIR process of being biased, asserting that documents were being selectively demanded from members of the minority community.
“There are no TMC flags present. This is a grassroots protest by those who are severely inconvenienced by the hearing process. I am opposing the vindictive stance of the Election Commission. I am willing to face police consequences if necessary,” Islam asserted.
Following these events, BJP MLA from Murshidabad, Gouri Shankar Ghosh, remarked: “This reveals the true nature of the Trinamool Congress. They are the only ones highlighting flaws in the SIR process. Look at their nerve; they vandalized the BDO office. We demand stringent action against those responsible for today’s turmoil.”