Protests erupted in Bhatar, East Burdwan, alleging harassment of voters. The Burdwan-Katwa state highway was blocked at Bhatar market on Tuesday. The allegation is that harassment is actually taking place in the name of SIR hearings. They claim that many voters from the Bhatar block are being called, whose names are in the previous voter list. They have also filled up the forms correctly. In protest of this, they demonstrated in front of the BDO office in Bhatar on this day.
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According to sources, hearing notices are reaching the homes of many genuine voters in the Bhatar block for multiple reasons, including issues related to incorrect names. In protest, many villagers joined the road blockade and sit-in demonstration in front of the Bhatar BDO office. The blockade continued for about two hours. The Burdwan-Katwa state highway was blocked.
Tensions rise as BDO office witnesses scuffle
The protesters demand that they are being unnecessarily harassed in the name of SIR. Despite having names in the 2002 voter list, many genuine voters are receiving hearing notices mentioning multiple issues, including incorrect names and incorrect fathers' names.
During the protest, a video of the beating of Ujjwal Samanta, an employee of the Kanyashree department at the Bhatar BDO office, came to light. The incident caused widespread tension in the Bhatar BDO office premises as well. The situation calmed down due to the prompt action of the Bhatar police station. Finally, the protesters lifted the blockade following assurances from the block administration.
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BDO Debjit Dutta said that these notices have to be sent according to the system. It is not that BDOs are sending notices at their own will. And in the case of migrant workers who stay outside, if any family member brings the documents, it will suffice, as per the Election Commission's instructions.
