BDO office vandalised in Murshidabad during SIR hearing; BJP blames TMC MLA Manirul Islam, 2 arrested

BJP MLA Gouri Sankar Ghosh

• Farakka BDO office vandalised during SIR hearing, one election official injured
• BJP MLA accuses TMC MLA Manirul Islam of leading vandalism, Islam denies charges
• Police arrest two; state boosts security for SIR officials in Murshidabad

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The Block Development Office (BDO) in Farakka, Murshidabad district, was vandalised by unidentified miscreants on Wednesday during an ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) hearing, leaving an election official injured.

According to a written complaint lodged by Farakka BDO Junaid Ahamed, the incident occurred around 1.30 pm while the SIR hearing was in progress. A group of people allegedly stormed into multiple official rooms and damaged government property in the presence of Booth Level Officers (BLOs), the Joint BDO, the Officer-in-Charge (Election) and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs). During the unrest, one AERO suffered injuries while trying to protect himself.

#WATCH | Murshidabad, West Bengal: BJP MLA Gouri Sankar Ghosh says, "...Today, Farakka MLA Manirul Islam vandalised the block office. How can a public representative vandalise property? Who gave him the right to do so? Are they not Indian citizens, or are they Bangladeshis who… pic.twitter.com/jgVsubRoEF

— ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2026

Police have registered a case at Farakka police station under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act.

The incident soon took a political turn, with BJP MLA Gouri Sankar accusing ruling TMC'S Farakka MLA Manirul Islam of leading the vandalism. Launching a sharp attack, Sankar also blamed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for allegedly encouraging violence across the state. “How can a public representative vandalise government property? Who gave him this right?” Sankar said, adding that voters would respond in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.

Rejecting the allegations, Manirul Islam addressed party workers outside the BDO office and claimed the SIR exercise was being misused to target minorities. “We will not accept the SIR. It is being used to harass a particular community. I am ready to face a bullet to protect the people of Farakka,” he said. Denying the involvement of TMC workers, Islam claimed those responsible were “common people” and not party activists.

Meanwhile, police have arrested two persons in connection with the case. The state government has directed the Director General of Police and the Additional Director General (Law and Order) to ensure adequate security for officials engaged in SIR-related work in Murshidabad. Sources in the Election Commission said the panel may also consider initiating a suo motu FIR against individuals if necessary.

(With inputs from ANI)