A dispute erupted in West Bengal’s Malda district at the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) hearing centre over entry sequence, resulting in a commotion, as per police reports. The disagreement turned physical, leading to a brawl where some individuals had their clothes torn. An elderly woman fell ill during the altercation and had to be hospitalized.
The incident, which occurred in the English Bazar police station area of Malda district, took place at the District School premises in English Bazar town. The situation arose as a large number of people from various village panchayats of English Bazar block were summoned to the hearing centre, causing an overcrowded queue. Due to the chaos and long wait times, a woman suddenly fell ill and had to be rushed to Malda Medical College and Hospital.
Razia Bibi, the woman who fell ill, hails from booth number 176 in the Narhatta area and had allegedly been called for the SIR hearing for three consecutive days. Her relatives expressed displeasure towards the Election Commission, citing harassment in the incident. Following the altercation, a clash broke out between two groups vying to enter the SIR hearing centre first, leading to a Trinamool Congress panchayat member being reportedly assaulted and his clothes torn.
An elderly woman named Reena Bibi from the Jadupur area was injured amidst the dispute between the two groups while waiting in line. She, too, was taken to the Malda Medical College Hospital for treatment. Additional police intervention was required to restore order after the chaotic situation unfolded. People present at the hearing centre accused the police of inaction, highlighting the lack of crowd control measures and proper arrangements, which exacerbated the situation.
