Highlights – There is a deep fear of SIR in West Bengal. Seven people have committed suicide so far due to this. Some committed suicide by hanging themselves, while others took their own lives by consuming poison. The TMC has protested against the SIR, which is being held after 23 years. The Election Commission says it is a routine process, but rumors are creating panic among the people.
In West Bengal, the fear of Special Incentive Revision (SIR) has increased to such an extent that people are committing suicide. The number of suicides due to SIR fear has increased. So far, seven people have taken their own lives. Some committed suicide by hanging themselves, while others took their own lives by consuming poison. The latest case is from South 24 Parganas.
Sofikul Gazi of Bhangor committed suicide due to fear of SIR-NRC. Following the incident, TMC MLA Saukat Mollah visited the scene to meet Gazi’s family. Indeed, ever since the SIR process began in Bengal, people have been terrified. They are afraid that they might have to return home.
SIR in West Bengal after 23 years
SIR is being conducted in West Bengal after 23 years. The last time this happened in the state was in 2002. According to the Election Commission, the draft list will be published on December 9th. A full month will be given for claims and objections. People can file claims and objections from December 9th to January 8th. Hearings and verification will be completed by January 31st.
The final voter list will be published on February 7th, just two months before the assembly elections. The assembly elections are likely to be held in April-May next year. In fact, SIR is not being conducted only in Bengal. It is being conducted in 12 states along with Bengal. The Election Commission says that SIR was conducted before, but people were not afraid then. Why are they afraid now?
The Election Commission says that it is necessary to clean up the voter list every 20-25 years. The names of those who have died need to be removed. Apart from this, the names of those who are living outside also have to be removed and new voters have to be added to it.
Why are people afraid of SIR?
It is being said that 25 million Bengalis will be removed from the list, detention camps will be set up, and migrants will be deported to Bangladesh. This fear has terrified people. Areas like North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Cooch Behar, and Howrah have a high concentration of Bangladeshi migrants. A man committed suicide in Panihati. His suicide note stated that the NRC was responsible for his death.
Seven deaths have been reported so far
Sofikul Gazi committed suicide in South 24 Parganas
Pradeep Kar committed suicide in Panihati
A 63-year-old man committed suicide by consuming poison in Dinhata
Khitish Majumdar hanged himself in Birbhum
Zahid Mal hanged himself in Howrah
Bimal Santra committed suicide in East Burdwan
A 95-year-old man died in West Medinipur, and this has also been linked to SIR.
The TMC has expressed outrage over the deaths of these people in Bengal. The TMC has stated that people are taking their own lives out of fear of the SIR. Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee protested against the SIR yesterday, Tuesday. TMC leaders and supporters say that the SIR is unacceptable. The Election Commission’s claim regarding the 2002-03 voter list is incorrect.
