Bhubaneswar: Massive tension has gripped several districts of West Bengal as the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists has set off widespread fear among undocumented migrants. Hundreds of individuals who had entered India from Bangladesh without valid papers are reportedly fleeing border areas after verification teams began strict identity checks.
Sources say migrants who have lived in Bengal for 10–20 years—working as domestic helpers, rag-pickers and daily wage labourers—are now attempting to escape, unable to produce the documents required by the SIR process.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has rushed a strongly worded letter to the Election Commission, demanding an immediate halt to the SIR exercise. She has accused the EC of conducting it in a “chaotic, dangerous, and unplanned manner,” leading to extreme pressure on booth-level officers and the death of multiple polling personnel.
Banerjee warned the Chief Election Commissioner that the situation is now “deeply alarming” and could lead to further tragedies if not stopped at once.
The Election Commission has not responded yet, even as the border districts witness a growing reverse exodus. Security forces along the Indo-Bangladesh border remain on high alert.
This developing story has major political implications as West Bengal heads toward its Assembly elections. More updates to follow. BJP says, the SIR is the need of the aware.
-OdishaAge
