CM announces 2 lakh for kin of 39 ‘victims of SIR stress’
Times of India | 3 December 2025
Kolkata: Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of 39 people, including BLOs, whose deaths have been linked to the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, giving an administrative stamp to what has so far been a purely political battle over the process.
The families of all 39 people — many of whom suffered stroke and some died by suicide — and Trinamool Congress have blamed "panic and the tension" caused by the SIR for the deaths.
Panic over lack of documents and/or absence of names from the 2002 voters' list drove many voters to death, their families have alleged. The BLOs among the 39 who lost their lives fell victim to the excessive workload resulting from the distribution, collection and uploading of enumeration forms and the anxiety over completing the process by the deadline.
Trinamool and other parties, except BJP, have all along backed these allegations.
Election Commission had on Nov 30 extended the deadline for SIR form submission by a week.
"Many people have already died. Unfortunately, they committed suicide or suffered stroke during the SIR. We express our deepest condolences to them. Some of our BLOs have also passed away. Two families of BLOs who died have already been given Rs 2 lakh each. One family is yet to receive it. If anyone wants to accept the money, it will be given. Some, however, prefer not to take it out of respect. If anyone agrees, it will be provided. Those (BLOs) who are hospitalised due to illness should be given Rs 1 lakh each," the chief minister said at a meeting with senior state govt officials in Nabanna.
The CM said, "Some may still be in hospital, possibly due to stroke. To my knowledge, 39 people have died. Thirteen are in a serious condition in hospital, including BLOs. Three others, who attempted suicide, are also in a serious condition in hospital. The family of each deceased should receive Rs 2 lakh and those who fell ill should receive Rs 1 lakh each. This support is to assure their families that the govt stands by them in difficult times... This is our social responsibility."
Banerjee's announcement of state compensation has turned the political battle over the contentious roll revision into one involving the state government.
Banerjee, without naming any political party, warned against spreading panic over detention camps and repeated her commitment to secular politics.
"I do not engage in communal politics. I practise secular politics. I respect all people of all religions because I abide by the Constitution. In Bengal, we ensure that everyone has a sense of security. We do not allow creation of detention camps to cause distress or disorder. May the people of Bengal live well in Bengal. We do not interfere in matters of other states, and likewise, if the central government has something to say, they should inform the state govt. But please do not issue orders like the ones that kings or the British had once issued. Do not forcefully enforce orders that could harm people," said Banerjee.
If such instructions are indeed issued and enforced, the CM said, the state govt will "help people as much as possible". The govt, she said, is "accountable to the Constitution, democracy, and the citizens of this land."
At a meeting on Monday, the CM had reassured district magistrates of her support related to the SIR and urged them "not to be afraid". She, however, did not mention EC. Sources said the CM also told the DMs that despite the workload and other pressures, development work should not suffer.
The chief secretary had called the meeting with the DMs. Banerjee unexpectedly joined the proceedings virtually.