The Kolkata police have lodged a First Information Report (FIR) against a female member of the Trinamool Congress-backed BLO Rights Protection Committee for demonstrating outside the State Chief Electoral Officer’s office. The Booth Level Officer (BLO), Tanushree Modak Bhattacharya, has been directed to appear at the Hare Street police station within three days as per the notice issued by a senior Kolkata Police official. This action follows directives from the Election Commission of India.
The notice mandates Bhattacharya’s full cooperation with the investigation and submission of all required documents. She has been cautioned against future protests, evidence tampering, or hindering the inquiry, with the warning of potential arrest for non-compliance. The incident arises amidst protests by certain BLOs associated with the Trinamool Congress, expressing grievances over the workload and incidents of extreme measures taken by some BLOs due to job pressures.
The BLO Rights Protection Committee staged a sit-in outside the CEO’s office, citing excessive workloads and alleging extreme actions by some BLOs due to job stress. This FIR marks the first instance of legal action against a female BLO linked to the demonstrations outside the CEO’s office. Earlier tensions peaked on February 24 during a protest when Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and BJP supporters gathered at the CEO’s office, resulting in unrest in the area.
Following a complaint lodged by Bhattacharya against BJP supporters for misconduct after the February incident, the Election Commission has now directed the filing of an FIR against her concerning the protest gathering. This development highlights a reversal of roles in the ongoing tensions surrounding the protests outside the CEO’s office.
