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BDO office ransacked, official documents set on fire as anti-SIR protest turns violent in Bengal’s Uttar Dinajpur district

TMC Chakulia MLA Minajul Arfin Azad defends protesters, says they may ‘agitate again’.

chakulia, bdo office ransackedAccording to sources, enumeration forms related to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls are likely to be destroyed in the incident. (Express photo)

A mob protesting against SIR hearings ransacked the Block Development Office (BDO) and attacked police personnel in Chakulia in West Bengal’s Uttar Dinajpur district on Thursday. The mob also brought out files, furniture and other documents from the BDO office and set fire to them.

According to sources, enumeration forms related to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls are likely to be destroyed in the incident.

“People are angry. It’s a mass outburst. When people have filled out forms, why are they being called for hearings? In every booth, 70 to 80 people are being called for hearings. The figure for the Assembly constituency is in thousands. How many times shall we show you the papers? The protest of these people is justified,” said TMC Chakulia MLA Minajul Arfin Azad.

“Our boys have agitated. If they (the Election Commission of India and the BJP) do not understand, we will agitate again. If need be, we will go to Delhi and protest,” added Azad.

Jobi Thomas, Superintendent of Police, North Dinajpur district, said, “Some agitators blocked the road in front of the Chakulia BDO office. We tried to lift the blockade, but the public was agitated and attacked the police. We did lathicharge to disperse the mob. They attacked the BDO office as well and ransacked it. Six police personnel, including the inspector in charge, are injured. Two of them are hospitalised. After BDO filed a complaint, we lodged an FIR and started investigating the case. So far, 10 persons have been detained.”

The incident comes a day after a BDO was assaulted in Farakka under Murshidabad district. An anti-SIR mob allegedly led by TMC leaders had barged into the BDO’s office and assaulted him. They threw chairs at him and tried to ransack the room.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) intervened in the incident and sought a report from the District Election Officer, who is also the District Magistrate, and directed him to file a First Information Report.

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Meanwhile, Farakka BDO Junaid Ahmed filed a complaint against unknown persons for ransacking his office. Later, two people were arrested in the incident.

Ravik Bhattacharya is a highly experienced and award-winning journalist currently serving as the Chief of Bureau of The Indian Express, Kolkata. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, Ravik possesses deep expertise across a wide range of critical subjects and geographical areas. Experience & Authority Current Role: Chief of Bureau, The Indian Express, Kolkata. Expertise: Extensive reporting across West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, and the Andaman Nicobar Islands. Ravik specializes in politics, crime, major incidents and issues, and investigative stories, demonstrating a robust command of complex and sensitive subjects. Experience: His long and distinguished career includes key reporting roles at several prestigious publications, including The Asian Age, The Statesman, The Telegraph, and The Hindustan Times. Ravik's current role marks his second stint with The Indian Express, having previously served as a Principal Correspondent in the Kolkata bureau from 2005 to 2010. Major Award: Ravik's authority and quality of work are substantiated by his winning of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award in 2007 for Political Reporting. Education: His strong academic foundation includes a Bachelor's degree with English Honours from Scottish Church College under Calcutta University, and a PG Diploma in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University. Ravik Bhattacharya's extensive tenure, specialized beat coverage, and notable award confirm his status as a trusted and authoritative voice in Indian journalism, particularly for stories emanating from Eastern India. ... Read More

Atri Mitra is a highly accomplished Special Correspondent for The Indian Express, bringing over 20 years of experience to his reporting. His work is characterized by deep regional knowledge and a focus on critical administrative and political developments, establishing strong Expertise and Authority in his domain. Experience  Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express. Decades of Experience: Over two decades of extensive reporting experience, primarily covering administration and political news. Geographical Focus: Holds significant reporting experience from West Bengal, Bihar, and the North-East, providing a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political landscape in these regions. Key Coverage: Has dedicated more than ten years to covering administration and political news, with a keen focus on political developments in West Bengal. Electoral Reporting: Demonstrated a commitment to crucial political moments, having covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections during his time at Anandabazar Patrika, and the 2019 Bihar Lok Sabha election while working with News18-Bangla. Career Foundation: Began his career at the leading vernacular daily Anandabazar Patrika, where he worked for more than fifteen years, including a three-year stint as the Bihar correspondent. Education Advanced Degree: Holds a Master's degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University, providing an analytical framework for his political and administrative reporting. Undergraduate Education: Holds a Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University. Prestigious Alumni: His educational background includes attending esteemed institutions: he is an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur. Atri Mitra's decades of dedicated reporting, substantial focus on political and administrative beats, and solid academic credentials make him a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis from Eastern and North-Eastern India. ... Read More

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