A poll body micro observer engaged in Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was allegedly slapped and punched by a group of unknown miscreants in Kumarganj in West Bengal’s Dakshin Dinajpur
district.
As per local reports, the incident took place at an ICDS centre adjacent to the Block Development Officer’s (BDO) office, where an SIR hearing was being held for voters from booths 123, 124 and 125 under the Zakhirpur Gram Panchayat.
According to reports, more than 200 voters were marked as “no match found”, leading to protests by those present.
Protesters allegedly pressured the micro observer, identified as Dibyendu Gorai, to change the decision. When he refused, he was allegedly slapped. Another micro observer, Dilip Lakra, who attempted to intervene and restrain the crowd, was also reportedly manhandled. Protesters were heard shouting that despite producing valid documents, their names had been marked as “no match found”.
Gorai was rescued by the locals in the area and taken to the Block Development Officer’s (BDO) office.
While the police arrived at the scene shortly after, neither the police nor the administration officially confirmed the physical assault.
A video of the alleged attack has since gone viral on social media. Following the incident, security has been beefed up at the Kumarganj BDO office and combat forces have been deployed. District Superintendent of Police Chinmoy Mitta said a thorough investigation is underway.
The BJP, meanwhile, has accused Trinamool Congress (TMC) supporters of carrying out the attack, claiming it was a direct assault on democracy.
Union Minister of State Sukanta Majumdar alleged that the attack was carried out by Trinamool Congress (TMC) supporters and termed it a “direct assault on democracy”. He demanded the immediate arrest and strict punishment of those involved.
দক্ষিণ দিনাজপুর জেলার অন্তর্গত কুশমণ্ডি কিষাণ মান্ডিতে চলমান SIR হেয়ারিং ক্যাম্পে তৃণমূল কংগ্রেসের স্থানীয় বিধায়ক রেখা রায় সহ অন্যান্য তৃণমূল নেতাদের অনধিকার প্রবেশ ও অশালীন আচরণের খবর অত্যন্ত উদ্বেগজনক। অভিযোগ অনুযায়ী, তাঁরা সেখানে প্রবেশ করে সাংবিধানিক প্রক্রিয়ায়… pic.twitter.com/86zZzHZfpG
— Dr. Sukanta Majumdar (@DrSukantaBJP) January 26, 2026
Majumdar further alleged that officials associated with the SIR process were facing intimidation and claimed that attempts were made to forcibly influence the hearing. The BJP has accused the ruling party of supporting such actions.
“A shocking incident had recently occurred in which a micro observer associated with @ECISVEEP was publicly slapped. In addition, complaints are emerging daily about continuous threats and intimidation by Trinamool’s miscreants against officials associated with the SIR process. The incident is a direct assault on democracy. We demand the immediate arrest and strict punishment of those involved,” he said.
The TMC, however, rejected the allegations. TMC leader Subhash Chaki denied any party involvement and claimed the public reaction was due to the behaviour of the micro observer. TMC spokesperson Aroop Chakraborty condemned the act of violence but questioned the conduct of the SIR process in West Bengal, alleging that people were being harassed in the name of micro observation.
“Whatever it is, slapping someone cannot be justified. But I have only one question: in 13 states SIR is being held but only Bengal has a micro observer. In the name of micro observers and logical discrepancies people of Bengal are being harassed.. people here are not fools,” he said as quoted by Indian Express.
