Election Commission roll observer C Murugan faced intense protests while inspecting the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in South 24 Parganas, with the situation escalating beyond demonstrations on Monday when his car was allegedly attacked and its door-lock broken in Magrahat.
The incident occurred during Murugan’s visit to a hearing centre set up at a school in Magrahat, where he was overseeing document verification and was scheduled to interact with micro-observers. As he conducted the inspection, more than a hundred people gathered on the school premises, prompting police from Usthi police station to rush to the spot to prevent further escalation.
A section of voters protested against the SIR process, questioning the procedure of the hearings. The demonstrators alleged that Booth Level Agent-2 (BLA-2) representatives were not being allowed inside the hearing centre and also raised objections over hearings not being conducted at the residences of specially-abled voters.
“Sensing the growing unrest, Murugan stepped out of the school building but was soon surrounded by protesters who demanded an explanation for the decision to bar BLA-2 representatives from the proceedings. Despite the tense atmosphere, the special observer continued his interaction with micro-observers, enquiring whether document verification was being carried out properly and advising them to approach the Commission if they faced any difficulties,” said an official of the Commission.
Later, as Murugan was leaving the area, protesters allegedly led by South 24 Parganas Zilla Parishad chairman and Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mujibur Rahman once again surrounded him, reiterating the same demands. It was during this confrontation that his vehicle was allegedly attacked, resulting in damage to the door-lock.
When contacted after the incident, Murugan declined to comment on the attack but confirmed that the matter had been formally reported. “I will not say anything about this. But yes, I have come to do my job. I went to visit and see how the hearing was progressing. What is the problem here? I have already informed the CEO about the entire incident,” he said.
The incident comes just two days after the Centre deployed central force personnel at the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) in Kolkata following a request from the Election Commission of India (ECI). The ECI had cited security concerns after demonstrations were held in front of the CEO’s office on Netaji Subhas Road on two consecutive days earlier this month.
Sources said the decision to deploy central forces was also linked to a request made by Murugan himself, who had written to the ECI seeking enhanced security for election observers in West Bengal. The letter was reportedly sent after Murugan faced protests while inspecting the SIR process in Falta, South 24 Parganas, on December 11, where he was surrounded by local Trinamool Congress women supporters.
Following the Falta incident, Murugan flagged what he described as a serious security breach and urged the Election Commission to ensure adequate protection for all roll observers operating in the state. A copy of the communication was also forwarded to the West Bengal CEO’s office, sources added.
Also read: Why undermine the credibility of Election Commission?
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