A BDO office in Farakka was ransacked during the hearing for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls on Wednesday. Police have registered an FIR against unknown people after the Election Commission intervened, sources said.

The incident took place during a sit-in protest by BLOs of Farakka, who complained against the EC’s “frequent changes” in the rules for SIR hearings, leading to alleged harassment of electors.

The BLOs complained that even after collecting necessary documents and uploading them on the app as per the EC instructions, new documents are being asked for again and again, and the correction orders keep coming.

They said that as the responsibility of the entire process was being practically placed on their shoulders, their personal and family life had been severely affected.

“While the BLOs were holding the sit-in protest, local leaders and workers of the ruling TMC also joined the protest at the BDO office. They blocked the gate of the office and raised slogans for immediately halting the SIR process. The situation worsened when local TMC MLA Monirul Islam reached the spot,” said an official, adding the SIR hearings were temporarily suspended.

According to the police, the angry mob ransacked the BDO office. “Chairs were broken… An AERO injured his hand after chairs were thrown at him,” the FIR, based on the local BDO’s complaint, read.

Police have registered the FIR under BNS sections 329(4) (criminal trespass), 221 (obstructing government official), 132, 324(3), 115(2), and 3(5), and Section 3 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.

Meanwhile, speaking to The Indian Express over the phone, TMC MLA Islam said, “It was a public outburst. People were angry that they were being harassed in the name of SIR hearings. Why are people called for a hearing if they have six children? This infuriated the locals. There was a small commotion. I stood with the people who were harassed in the hearing process. Some people are making a mountain of a mole hill.”