Kolkata, 01 April (H.S.): The Election Commission of India has ordered the suspension of a Block Development Officer (BDO) in Nadia district following violence during a poll training programme, and has also directed the initiation of departmental proceedings against him.

The incident took place on March 27 during a training session for presiding and polling officers at a school in Hanskhali block, where a teacher sustained a head injury.

An FIR in connection with the incident has been registered at Ranaghat police station.

In a communication to the state administration, the Commission stated that Hanskhali BDO Sayantan Bhattacharya, an officer of the West Bengal Civil Service (Executive) who was in overall charge of the training programme, failed to adhere to standard protocols in the discharge of his election-related responsibilities.

The order noted that the incident, attributed to negligence on the part of the officer in charge, adversely affected the Commission’s efforts to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections.

The Commission directed that Bhattacharya be placed under immediate suspension and that departmental proceedings be initiated against him. It also asked the state administration to ensure immediate compliance and submit an action taken report.

The injured teacher has been identified as Saikat Chattopadhyay. According to allegations, he was attacked after objecting to the screening of a government advertisement before the training session began.

Participants claimed that a government advertisement featuring Mamata Banerjee was displayed on a projector before the training began. Some polling officials reportedly objected, terming it a violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

Saikat Chattopadhyay alleged that he was assaulted and threatened after he questioned the screening of the advertisement carrying the Chief Minister’s photograph despite the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh