• Source:JND
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SIR Deaths: Amid an ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in multiple states, 16 booth-level officers (BLO) have died due to alleged work pressure. While five of the BLOs have allegedly died by suicide, the deaths of other officers were also linked to the workload. The family members of the victims have claimed that the officers were constantly under pressure and did not get time even for their daily chores. Several opposition leaders, including Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, have slammed the Election Commission for putting pressure on the officers. However, the poll body has not linked these deaths to the workload yet.

BLO's Die By Suicide Due To 'Work Pressure'

- Rinku Tarafdar (West Bengal): The family members stated that Tarafdar died by suicide due to the pressure from the senior officials. In a suicide note, the officer claimed that he will have to handle administrative pressure if the work is not completed within the deadline. “If I cannot complete the work of BLO, administrative pressure will come. It is not possible for me to take it,” the purported note recovered by police stated.

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- Aneesh George (Kerala): While no suicide note was recovered from the site, the family members claimed that he was under immense pressure to complete the task within the deadline.

- Shantimoni Ekka (West Bengal): The family members claimed that the officer was mentally exhausted due to the added work in the past few weeks; however, no suicide note was recovered.

- Mukesh Jangid (Rajasthan): Jangid died by suicide due to alleged suspension threats from his seniors, as per his suicide note. While providing details, Bindayaka police station in-charge Vinod Kumar said that he was facing extreme work pressure from the seniors. “A suicide note was recovered stating that he was facing extreme work pressure from his supervisor. The note claims he was threatened with suspension,” Kumar was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.

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- Arvindkumar Muljibhai Vadhel (Gujarat): The police recovered a purported suicide note, claiming that Vadhel died by suicide due to overwork. “For the last several days, I have been exhausted and mentally overburdened… I do not have any other way but to take this last step,” the purported note read.

Amid constant criticism from the opposition parties, the poll body is yet to confirm their deaths due to workload.

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