Bengal BLO found dead, triggering questions over SIR work practices

A booth-level officer (BLO) in West Bengal’s Nadia district was found dead at her residence on Saturday morning, with her family alleging that intense workload from the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process drove her to take her own life. This is the second suspected suicide of a BLO in the state within a span of three days.

The deceased, Rinku Tarafdar, a para-teacher serving as BLO for Part No. 201 under Chapra Assembly Constituency (AC-82), was discovered hanging in her room at her home in the Bangaljhi area of Krishnanagar. Police officials said a handwritten note was recovered from the scene. Her body has been sent for post-mortem, and a detailed investigation has been initiated.

According to police, Tarafdar’s family stated that she had been working under extreme pressure due to SIR duties. “We have seized a note and are examining all aspects of the case,” an officer said.

State minister Ujjal Biswas visited the family to offer condolences.

The incident has triggered a sharp political response, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee posting a strongly worded statement on X:

“Profound shock has been felt at the death of yet another BLO, a lady para-teacher, who is reported to have died by suicide at Krishnanagar today. It is being stated that Smt Rinku Tarafdar, the BLO of part number 201 of AC 82 Chapra, blamed the ECI in her suicide note before her death at her residence.

Questions are now being raised about how many more lives will be lost, how many more deaths will occur due to this SIR, and how many more bodies will be seen as a result of this process. The situation is being described as truly alarming.”

Banerjee has repeatedly urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to suspend the SIR exercise, calling it an “unplanned and coercive” process that places enormous strain on ground-level workers.

According to figures cited by the Chief Minister in recent days, a total of 28 deaths have occurred since the SIR began, including cases where individuals succumbed to stress, overwork, or fear associated with the process.

The state has also reportedly seen nine deaths, including six suicides, directly or indirectly linked to SIR-related pressure, prompting widespread alarm among employee unions and civil society groups.

Earlier this week, another BLO in Jalpaiguri district, identified as Shantimoni Ekka, was found dead, with her family too alleging unbearable workload under the SIR.

The series of fatalities has intensified calls for workload rationalisation, mental-health safeguards, and immediate intervention to protect polling personnel engaged in the revision exercise.

The Election Commission has not yet issued a formal response to the latest developments.