SIR Duty Assault: 2 FIRs Filed In Patiala, Barnala; Punjab CEO Warns Against BLO Harassment

SIR Duty Assault: Punjab CEO Anindita Mitra says misbehaviour with BLOs won’t be tolerated after FIRs were registered in Patiala and Barnala over assaults during the Special Intensive Revision.

North Desk Correspondent

Chandigarh, July 7

Punjab Chief Electoral Officer Anindita Mitra on Monday said misconduct against Booth Level Officers (BLOs) engaged in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) will not be tolerated, after two separate incidents of assault on poll staff were reported from Patiala and Barnala districts.

In Patiala, the BLO for Booth No. 113 was allegedly assaulted by a resident of Anand Nagar after seeking household details for the SIR exercise. Police Station Tripuri has registered an FIR against the accused under Sections 115(2), 351(3), 221 and 132 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the CEO’s office said.

In Barnala, the BLO for Booth No. 103 at Akalgarh Kothe in Dhanaula was allegedly abused and assaulted during the same exercise. Dhanaula Police Station has registered a case under Sections 132, 221 and 115(2) BNS.

SIR Duty Assault: Appeal to voters

Mitra directed all District Election Officers across Punjab to ensure adequate safety and security arrangements for BLOs for the remainder of the SIR exercise, and appealed to voters to cooperate with field staff.

The incidents come in the middle of Punjab’s door-to-door enumeration drive, which began June 25 and runs till July 24 — a nationwide Special Intensive Revision exercise last conducted in the state roughly two decades ago.

24,000 BLOs on duty

Punjab has deployed 24,453 BLOs to cover over 2.14 crore registered electors, going house to house to distribute and collect enumeration forms ahead of the draft roll publication on August 3 and final rolls on October 1. The scale and tight deadline of the exercise have put BLOs in direct, sustained contact with households across the state through the enumeration window.

Neither FIR names the accused in the CEO’s statement; further details are expected once police complete formal proceedings.

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