‘BLOs facing harassment in Gautam Buddha Nagar amid SIR Phase-2’: UP teachers’ body submits memorandum to DM

The letter, a copy of which has been sent to the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister’s Office and the State Election Commission, also talks about the resignation of Pinky Singh, an assistant teacher posted at a primary school in Bisrakh block’s Gejha. “This reflects that the behaviour of the higher officials is not helpful and instead of solving the problems of teachers, punitive action is being taken,” the letter read.

It also stated that in rural areas, most families are not taking interest in the said work and are not returning the forms after filing it post the distribution. “Similarly, the Election Commission’s application for feeding the details is not working in rural areas. At the center selected by you for feeding is asking for OTPs by calling till 1:30 am, which also poses a risk of cyber crime and violates the personal privacy of both male and female teachers,” the letter read.

Talking to The Indian Express, Sharma said that we have requested the administration to quash the FIRs. “It is stressful. We have requested the administration to withdraw the FIRs, cancel the adverse entries and stop the mental harassment of the teachers, and ensure that senior officers cooperate with the BLOs and ensure the work is completed in a dignified manner,” he said.

The one-month enumeration period of the second phase of the SIR, ongoing in nine states and three UTs, has put BLOs in charge of distribution and collection, with the deadline set for December 4. Unlike in Bihar, the current phase of the exercise places the onus on the BLOs to match the elector details on the forms with the old electoral rolls of electors or their parents during the enumeration.

In Noida, the action was taken under Section 32 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. On the orders of District Magistrate Medha Rupam, who is also the District Election Officer of Noida, the sub-district magistrates of three Noida assembly segments lodged FIRs naming the BLOs who have allegedly shown a lack of compliance.