Bengal SIR Protests Turn Violent as BDO Offices Vandalised
Bengal SIR Protests Turn Violent as BDO Offices Vandalised
During Special Intensive Revision hearings, mobs vandalised BDO offices across Bengal, injuring police and staff and sparking FIRs as clashes spread from Farakka to Dinajpur.
Violence erupted as SIR hearings unfolded across districts in West Bengal, with crowds storming several BDO offices. In North Dinajpur, the Goalpokhar-II BDO office was reportedly forced open by a large mob that vandalised furniture and records. Police officers were injured in the clashes, and bystanders and staff were caught in the chaos as property worth around Rs 20 lakh was damaged and at least 300 people were said to have taken part.
Earlier, the Farakka BDO office in Murshidabad district was attacked, underscoring a pattern of protests that spread across the state. In Uttar Dinajpur, thousands vandalised the BDO office at Chakulia, amplifying the scale of the unrest just as the SIR hearings were underway.
The incidents occurred amid a Special Intensive Revision hearing, a process meant to update voter lists and administrative records. The violence prompted FIRs and heightened tension between demonstrators and security forces, with authorities stressing the importance of protecting public offices and ensuring public safety.
Officials have pledged to investigate the incidents and apprehend those responsible, while communities call for dialogue and lawful channels to raise concerns. The episodes highlight the fragile balance between citizen participation and the protection of essential government services during times of political agitation.
