The ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process took a violent turn on Thursday as Chakulia became a battlefield. Protesters set fire to the Block Development Officer’s (BDO) office and attacked police personnel, leaving the local Inspector-in-Charge (IC) seriously injured and bleeding.
BDO Office Reduced to Ashes
The BDO office is now unrecognizable after an angry mob stormed the building. Protesters smashed furniture and set the entire premises on fire, destroying crucial administrative documents and SIR-related records. Outside, the streets were blocked by burning tires and crowds of people armed with bamboo sticks.
To regain control, a massive police contingent was deployed. Officers used batons (lathi-charge) and fired tear gas shells to disperse the mob. The situation escalated so rapidly that high alerts were issued in Islampur and all neighboring police stations.
Dinajpur, West Bengal: A protest over SIR hearings turned violent at Chakulia BDO office, with thousands blocking roads, vandalising offices, and setting property on fire. Police were injured. pic.twitter.com/8SEFW6bBXB
— IANS (@ians_india) January 15, 2026
The Root of the Rage
The local residents claim their protest was initially peaceful. They stated that the Election Commission’s repeated summons for SIR hearings had caused widespread panic and frustration. “We are being called again and again for the same process; it’s harassment,” a protester remarked.
According to the demonstrators, the violence only erupted after the police allegedly used force (lathi-charge) on the peaceful gathering.
Political Blame Game
The incident has triggered a sharp political divide:
Trinamool Congress (TMC): Party spokesperson Jayprakash Majumdar blamed the BJP for inciting fear. He stated, “If people are terrified of being sent to detention camps because of SIR errors, they will naturally be angry. The BJP is responsible for this atmosphere of panic.”
Administration: Officials expressed deep concern over the security breach, noting that while SIR protests have occurred in places like Barasat and Bankura, the sheer scale of destruction in Chakulia is unprecedented.
Current Situation
The area remains under heavy police guard. With the BDO office gutted and many electoral documents feared lost in the fire, the future of the SIR process in this block remains uncertain. Local authorities are currently working to identify the rioters while providing medical treatment to the injured police officers.
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