As the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list continues across West Bengal, political tensions have once again erupted in Sandeshkhali. A Trinamool Congress (TMC) worker was arrested on Saturday night for allegedly threatening to kill a Booth Level Officer (BLO) who had marked discrepancies in enumeration forms.
The accused, Jamirul Islam Mollah — a TMC booth level agent (BLA) from Boyarmari under Gram Panchayat No. 1 — was arrested by Najat Police.
According to police, the incident began after BLO Deepak Mahato, assigned to Booth No. 3 of the Sandeshkhali Assembly constituency, flagged inconsistencies in the enumeration forms of three voters. Mahato alleges that several details, including entries dating back to 2002, did not match the official records. Following procedure, he struck out the incorrect forms and later procured fresh ones from the BDO office so the applicants could resubmit accurate information.
This routine correction allegedly triggered a furious response.
Soon after, Mahato received a threatening phone call from Jamirul, who reportedly demanded to know why the forms were cancelled. An audio clip of the call — now circulating widely on social media, though unverified — features a man issuing violent threats: “Why did you cancel the form? You know me! What will you get away with?” The caller allegedly escalates further, saying, “I will vandalise your house and break your hands and legs… You will correct the form as promised, otherwise I will kill you at night.”
Terrified, Mahato approached the BDO, who then filed a written complaint with Najat Police Station. Basirhat Superintendent of Police Hossain Mehdi Rahman said, “A case has been registered under multiple sections, including obstruction of government work and criminal intimidation. Investigation is underway.”
The accused Jamirul is known to be close to local TMC leader Ahid Gazi, according to sources in the area.
The region has been under national scrutiny for months. Earlier this year, Sandeshkhali witnessed massive women-led protests alleging atrocities and sexual abuse by local TMC leaders— demonstrations that drew broom-and-stick marches and widespread outrage.
During his 2024 Lok Sabha campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a strong attack on the state government over the issue.
One of the protestors, Rekha Patra, was later fielded as a Bharatiya Janata Party candidate for the Lok Sabha elections, making Sandeshkhali a political flashpoint.
With the SIR process already embroiled in statewide political accusations, the latest threat on a government officer has once again spotlighted the tense, faction-ridden atmosphere of North 24 Parganas.
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