Kolkata, November 24: Booth-level officers (BLOs) involved in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in West Bengal clashed with police on Monday while attempting to enter the Chief Electoral Officer's (CEO) office. The BLOs were protesting what they described as excessive work pressure, according to a senior official.

Members of the BLO Adhikar Raksha Committee staged a protest march from College Square in North Kolkata. They carried symbolic locks and chains to "shut down" the main entrance of the building housing the CEO's office. The protestors attempted to breach police barricades as they tried to reach the office in central Kolkata, the official said.

The demonstrators chanted slogans against the Election Commission, claiming they were compelled to hold the march due to the Commission’s failure to address their complaints of overwhelming and inhumane work demands during the SIR process. One functionary alleged that BLOs had been given tasks to complete within an unrealistically short time frame, even though similar tasks usually span over two years.

The committee further claimed that the work-related stress had led to physical and mental health issues among BLOs, with two officers reportedly dying by suicide as a result.

In a statement, the BLO Adhikar Raksha Committee also revealed plans to expand the protest. They announced that para-teachers, college professors, and other educators from various organizations would join the march, demanding immediate action by the Election Commission to address their grievances.