Violence breaks out during SIR process in Howrah; Trinamool, CPM-backed workers trade blame

A violent clash broke out between Trinamool Congress and CPM-backed BLA workers in the Bali Hapta market area of Howrah on Tuesday morning during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list. The altercation reportedly took place in front of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) conducting the SIR process.

Local residents said the confrontation began when CPM-backed workers allegedly pushed and assaulted Trinamool representatives at the site. Panic spread quickly as shops downed shutters and residents retreated indoors amid the chaos. However, Trinamool workers denied the allegations, claiming they were peacefully participating in the voter list verification and accused rival groups of provoking the disturbance.

Police from the Bali Hapta police station rushed to the scene and managed to bring the situation under control. The BLOs and other officials present at the site were escorted to safety, and additional forces were deployed to prevent further tension. Authorities confirmed that while the SIR program was briefly disrupted, it would not affect the overall voter list schedule.

Officials also stated that security measures are being reinforced to ensure the safety of BLOs and workers in sensitive areas. Political analysts noted that with elections approaching, tensions between rival party workers have been escalating across several districts, making such local-level clashes more likely.