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Happening today in Bengal: EC team arrives to review SIR roll out, ‘panic suicides’ to give fresh ammo to TMC

Till 5 pm on Tuesday, the state CEO said that 18 lakh SIR emuneration forms were distributed to voters by Booth-Level Officers (BLOs) in the state

A BLO distributes forms at Nimdaria village on Tuesday (Express/Partha Paul)

As the month-long Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound West Bengal enters Day 2 on Wednesday, a three-member team of the Election Commission will start their three-day visit to the state to review the exercise that is being opposed by the ruling TMC.

The team, led by Deputy Election Commissioner Gyanesh Bharti, will reach north Bengal and will stay there till November 8.

He is being accompanied by ECI Principal Secretary SB Joshi and Deputy Secretary Abhinav Agarwal.

Chief Electoral Officer (CEC), West Bengal, Manoj Agarwal is likely to join them.

The team will visit Cooch Behar, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri districts to see the SIR roll out there. While Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri have borders with Bangladesh, Alipurduar shares borders with Bhutan.

Till 5 pm on Tuesday, the state CEO said that 18 lakh SIR emuneration forms were distributed to voters by Booth-Level Officers (BLOs) in the state. The number is likely to increase further.

‘SIR panic deaths’: TMC to sharpen attack

With the suicide by two more persons over the alleged SIR panic on Tuesday, the ruling TMC is likely to sharpen its attack on the Election Commission and the BJP.

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On Tuesday, two persons – a 28-year-old daily wage labourer and 45-year-old farmer – allegedly killed themselves over the “SIR fear” in Howrah’s Uluberia and Murshidabad district’s Kandi area, respectively. Earlier, two suicides and one suicide attempt were linked to the fear over the SIR.

The TMC, which has been calling the SIR as Centre’s “backdoor implementation” of controversial NRC (National Register of Citizens), is most likely to again hit out at the EC and BJP for “creating an atmosphere of fear”.

TMC MP and No. 2 in the party, Abhishek Banerjee, has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “dictating terms to the poor and middle class at his whims” and likened the SIR process to PM’s earlier decisions such as demonetisation.

“Be it demonetisation or demanding endless citizenship documents, Modi has always imposed his diktats on the common man,” the Diamond Harbour MP said on Tuesday.

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The suicide incidents is likely to give fresh ammo to Abhishek, on whose direction TMC minister met the family of Uluberia youth on Tuesday.

Sunny dry weather today, but rain, clouds on the horizon

While Wednesday is expected to be pleasant with sunny clear skies, the development of a low-pressure area, which is turning into a depression, over the Bay of Bengal, may bring rain to the state in the days ahead. There is a likelihood of a 2-3 degrees Celsius fall in minimum temperatures this week.

Sweety Kumari

Sweety Kumari is a seasoned journalist reporting from West Bengal for The Indian Express. With over a decade of experience in the media industry and eight years specifically with The Indian Express, she demonstrates considerable Expertise and Authority across a diverse range of critical beats. Experience & Authority Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express, reporting from West Bengal. Extensive Tenure: Over 10 years of experience in the media industry, with a long association (8 years) with The Indian Express, contributing to a high level of Trustworthiness. Diverse Coverage: Covers crucial beats including Crime, Defence, Health, and Politics, alongside writing on trending topics. Investigative Focus: Possesses a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories, demonstrating depth and skill in impactful journalism. Beat Versatility: Has honed her craft across diverse beats, including aviation and reporting on various incidents, ensuring well-rounded and comprehensive reportage. Career Start: Began her journalistic journey as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a news portal in Kolkata, providing a foundational understanding of media landscape and audience engagement. Education Advanced Education: Holds a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, equipping her with advanced media theory and skills. Undergraduate Education: Holds an Honours degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College. Multilingual Skill: Her fluency in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili enhances her reach and capability to connect with diverse sources and communities in the region, adding a layer of accessibility and authenticity to her reporting. Regional Roots: Originally from Bihar, she was brought up and educated in Kolkata (Kendriya Vidyalaya Salt Lake), giving her a deep, personal understanding of the cultural and political nuances of her reporting region. Sweety Kumari's combination of significant experience, specialization in key beats like Crime and Politics, and strong academic background makes her a trusted and authoritative contributor to The Indian Express. ... Read More

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