Kolkata, 27 December (H.S.): An important information has emerged from Katwa in the East Burdwan district. The Bengal Police have submitted their report to the Election Commission regarding the disappearance of Amit Kumar Mandal, a Booth Level Officer (BLO) from the Katwa assembly constituency. The police have clarified that his disappearance is not due to the pressure of work related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls.

According to the police report, Amit Kumar Mandal had taken a loan of approximately ₹50 lakh from a bank. He invested this amount in the stock market but suffered heavy losses, leaving him burdened with debt. The police believe that he left home and went missing due to this financial crisis.

Amit Kumar Mandal was the BLO for Booth Number 23 in the Katwa assembly constituency. He has been missing for the past four days. His family had filed a missing person's report at the police station, after which the Election Commission had sought a detailed report from the district police on the matter.

According to police sources, the report also states that Amit Kumar Mandal is a teacher by profession and works at the Uddharanpur Primary School in Ketugram. He is a resident of the Bikihat area of Khajurdihi Panchayat in Katwa Block 1.

According to the family, on the morning of December 23, Amit returned home from the market around 10 am. He parked his motorcycle and said that he had to attend a meeting related to his BLO duties. After that, he left home but did not return. When there was no contact with him until late evening, the family became worried.

During the search, his mobile phone, BLO identity card, and documents related to the SIR were found at home. Despite searching at the homes of relatives and acquaintances, when no trace was found, a missing person's report was filed at the Katwa police station that same night.

The family also told the police that Amit was under mental stress since taking on the responsibility of a BLO. However, the police investigation revealed that the real reason was the financial crisis and the pressure of debt. It has been reported that booth number 23 has a total of 641 voters, and Amit Kumar Mandal had issued notices to 33 voters for a hearing. The hearing of claims and objections regarding the voter list in West Bengal began on Saturday, with the presence of the Booth Level Officer (BLO) being mandatory.

Amit's disappearance has affected administrative work. According to sources, if he is not found by the stipulated time, another officer will be appointed to complete his pending tasks.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey