Is Another BDO Office Vandalised in Bengal?
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Synopsis
In a troubling turn of events, yet another BDO office has been vandalized in Bengal, raising serious concerns about the ongoing protests against the Special Intensive Revision of the voter list. This incident follows a similar occurrence in Farakka, highlighting escalating tensions surrounding the electoral process.
Key Takeaways
- The vandalism of the BDO office in Chakulia highlights rising tension regarding voter registration processes.
- Protesters, primarily summoned for SIR hearings, expressed their frustrations through disruptive actions.
- The Election Commission has reiterated its commitment to maintaining electoral integrity and addressing public concerns.
- Community safety and the protection of public offices remain critical issues in light of recent events.
- Prompt police response is essential in managing large protests to prevent escalation.
Kolkata, Jan 15 (NationPress) Following the incident in Farakka, Murshidabad, another Block Development Office (BDO) has been subjected to vandalism, this time located in the Chakulia region of North Dinajpur district. On Thursday, reports emerged regarding acts of vandalism and arson at the Gorakhpur II BDO office in Chakulia, coinciding with protests against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list in the state.
As reported by police sources, a group of individuals obstructed the state highway and organized a demonstration. The majority of the protesters were those who had been summoned for the SIR hearing.
Reports indicate that an officer-in-charge (IC) present during the vandalism suffered injuries. The Election Commission has reacted decisively to the disturbance. The BDO lodged a formal complaint at the Chakulia police station, which has since been registered as an FIR.
According to police accounts, numerous individuals blocked the state highway in the Kahata area of Chakulia on Thursday morning.
The protesters primarily consisted of those who had received summons for the SIR hearing, leading to significant traffic disruption. Amidst this chaos, allegations of vandalism at the BDO's office emerged.
Police arrived promptly after receiving reports. The BDO's complaint stated that approximately 300 individuals attempted to forcefully enter the BDO office around 9:30 a.m. Despite police efforts to intervene, they were unable to control the situation.
It is alleged that the group entered the office, causing extensive damage to electronic devices, chairs, tables, and important documents.
The BDO office reported that the destruction of property at the Chakulia office amounts to an estimated Rs 20 lakh.
Moreover, it is claimed that police officers faced aggression when attempting to disperse the protesters, resulting in injuries to the officer-in-charge of Chakulia police station. Several individuals from the office required hospitalization.
A police spokesperson informed the media that a state of high alert has been declared in the Islampur police district.
In response to the earlier incident in Farakka, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the state has issued stringent guidelines to District Magistrates and District Election Officers (DEOs). These instructions, disseminated via WhatsApp, emphasized that no hearing centers would be relocated.
The CEO reminded DEOs to prioritize resolving cases of 'unmapped' and 'logical discrepancy.' The final decisions on these matters rest solely with DEOs.
ERO and AERO personnel are encouraged to independently resolve 'other' issues, although they must not make any decisions regarding the relocation of designated hearing centers without Commission approval, as such actions will be taken very seriously.
This directive from the Election Commission followed an incident where a mob, led by Trinamool Congress MLA Monirul Islam, vandalized the BDO office, protesting against allegations of mistreatment of citizens summoned for SIR hearings related to minor inaccuracies in their voter details.
Point of View
It is imperative to maintain a neutral stance while reporting on incidents that affect public sentiment and governance. The vandalism at the BDO office in Chakulia reflects the growing unrest among citizens regarding electoral procedures. It is crucial for authorities to address these issues with transparency and accountability to restore public trust.
NationPress
15/01/2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the vandalism at the BDO office?
The vandalism occurred during protests against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list, where individuals summoned for hearings expressed their grievances.
What were the damages reported?
The BDO office reported that property worth approximately Rs 20 lakh was destroyed during the incident.
How did the police respond to the protest?
The police attempted to intervene but were unsuccessful in controlling the situation as protesters forcibly entered the BDO office.
What measures have been taken by the Election Commission?
The Election Commission has issued strict guidelines to ensure that hearing centers remain unchanged and has emphasized resolving discrepancies in voter information.
Who led the protests?
The protests were reportedly led by Trinamool Congress MLA Monirul Islam, who criticized the treatment of citizens regarding the SIR hearings.
