West Bengal is reeling from the deaths of three residents in North 24 Parganas, Nadia, and Birbhum, which families say were caused by the fear of voter list revision hearings. The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) notices, intended to fix inconsistencies in electoral records, have sparked rumors and extreme anxiety in several border regions.
Choyed Sheikh, a resident of Hingalganj, died from a heart attack after his son and daughter were summoned for a hearing. In Nadia, Fijur Khan committed suicide, reportedly due to fears of deportation sparked by a notice regarding his wife’s records. In Birbhum, a resident named Johnny Sheikh also took his own life. While local Block Development Officers have stated that the SIR process is a routine verification with no link to citizenship status or deportation, the psychological impact on vulnerable populations remains high. These incidents have led to calls for better communication from the Election Commission to prevent further panic-related tragedies.