NEW DELHI: The Office of the Block Development Officer (BDO), Goalpokher-II, at Chaukulia in West Bengal’s North Dinajpur district was vandalised and torched by an agitated mob on Thursday, amid the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) hearing process. The Block Development Officer has filed a First Information Report (FIR) at Chaukulia Police Station, seeking an inquiry and action against those involved.According to the complaint, the incident occurred between 9.30 am and 12.30 pm on January 15, 2026, when a mob of around 300 people forcefully entered the BDO office premises. The group allegedly destroyed infrastructure across the office and damaged furniture, electronic gadgets and official documents from several sections, including the Relief Section, Social Welfare Section, SHG and NRLM sections.Police personnel reached the spot and attempted to control the situation by closing the main gate, while office staff locked doors and gates to protect themselves. However, more people reportedly joined the mob, which again forced its way into the premises. After ransacking the office, the mob allegedly set fire to broken furniture and torn documents inside and outside office rooms, causing further damage to the building.The FIR estimates that government property worth around Rs 20 lakh was damaged in the attack. Several police personnel, including the Inspector-in-Charge of Chakulia Police Station, were reportedly badly injured while trying to resist the mob. Office staff present at the time were also attacked and rushed to a nearby hospital for safety.In the complaint, the BDO stated: “This is to inform you that an un-precedent incident is happened at the Office of the Block Development Officer, Goalpokher II, Chakulla, Uttar Dinajpur premises from 09:30 A.M to 12:30 p.m. today i.e. on 15.01.2026. A group of agitated mob forcefully entered the office premises (approx, 300 nos) rush to the Office premises at 09:30 A.M. and destroyed various infrastructures of Office premises as well as various sections… Therefore, you are requested to cause an enquiry on this incident overall and lodge an FIR against the miscreants. CC tv footage captured in the whole incidence (avallable) is also been handed over for this purpose.”The complaint further noted that the BDO office had been issuing notices to voters for hearings related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, as per instructions of the Election Commission of India and district authorities. On the day of the incident, 500 hearings were scheduled after 11 am, and around 50 to 60 people had arrived at the office for this purpose. Officials reportedly tried to explain that the process was routine, but the mob was unwilling to discuss the issue or make any representation.During the unrest, several roads connecting Islampur and Dalkhola were also blocked.Also read | BDO office vandalised in Murshidabad: BJP blames TMC’s Manirul, Mamata for ‘instigation’The incident comes a day after a similar case of violence at the Block Development Office in Farakka, Murshidabad district. On Monday afternoon, the Farakka BDO office was allegedly ransacked by a group of unidentified men, leaving a poll official injured.Following the Farakka incident, BJP MLA Gouri Sankar accused ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Manirul Islam of leading the vandalism at the government office. He also accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of instigating party cadres across the state to indulge in violence.Police have launched an investigation into the Goalpokher-II incident, and CCTV footage from the BDO office has been handed over to assist the probe.
