In West Bengal, amid the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in the state, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has directed all district administrations to immediately register an FIR in the event of any law-and-order disturbances during hearings or the revision process.

The directive also states that SIR hearings may be suspended indefinitely if the situation so demands. The directions were issued in reference to the Supreme Court’s order on the 19th of January. In a letter to all district electoral officers, the CEO’s office emphasised that any incidents of vandalism, threats, or attacks on officials and staff involved in the SIR process at hearing centres or related government offices must be reported without delay to the local police station.

Copies of such complaints are to be forwarded to the Superintendent of Police and the office of the Chief Electoral Officer. The letter further noted that if violence or damage to government property persists in any area, SIR-related hearings there must remain suspended until explicit approval for resumption is granted by the Chief Electoral Officer.