Kolkata Police have taken action against a group of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) for their involvement in a protest outside the Chief Electoral Officer’s office in West Bengal. The police have filed a case against the BLOs for allegedly trying to forcibly enter the office, obstructing police personnel, and causing damage to government property. The incident, which led to a scuffle, resulted in the detention of one individual and injuries to three police officers.
The BLOs participating in the protest expressed concerns over the Election Commission’s frequent changes to its application post the draft electoral roll publication. They claimed that the lack of clear explanations accompanying the directives and errors in the voter list have caused confusion and stress among officials and citizens. The situation escalated when the BLO Rights Protection Committee members were denied a meeting with the Chief Electoral Officer, prompting them to attempt breaching police barricades.
A senior Kolkata Police official stated that a suo motu case has been registered against the protesters for disrupting law and order, damaging property, and interfering with police duties. The authorities are reviewing CCTV footage to determine further actions. The BLO Rights Protection Committee has been staging a sit-in protest outside the CEO’s office for some time, advocating for their demands.
