Tensions flared in West Bengal on Monday as Special Summary Revision (SIR) hearings faced disruptions, with an incident involving an attack on an Election Commission (EC) observer's vehicle in Magrahat, South 24 Parganas district. The unrest stemmed from protests against the SIR process, with allegations of coercive measures against vulnerable community members.

C Murugan, the special roll observer of the Election Commission, encountered a volatile situation during a visit to a hearing center in Magrahat. Protesters, largely women, surrounded Murugan's vehicle, damaging its gate and demanding greater transparency in the electoral process. The crowd protested the ongoing Special Summary Revision (SIR) hearings, alleging coercive measures against vulnerable community members. Police struggled to manage the crowd and provide passage for Murugan's convoy.

The protests were allegedly led by Mujibar Rahaman Mollah, a TMC Zilla Parishad president, who demanded the presence of party Booth Level Agents-2 (BLAs) to ensure transparency. However, according to the Times of India, the EC had stated that booth-level agents (BLAs) would not be allowed to be present, which caused disruptions in Chinsurah and Midnapore as well. The Election Commission has sought reports from the nodal officer, the district magistrate, and the DGP regarding the incident in Magrahat. The EC has stated that legal action will be taken if the hearing process is disrupted.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addressed concerns over the SIR process, raising allegations of harassment and loss of life. Banerjee stated that people are being harassed unnecessarily and that over 50 lives have been lost within a month during the SIR process.

Amid the electoral roll revision controversy, the central government has provided Y-plus category security cover to West Bengal's Chief Electoral Officer, Manoj Agarwal. The Election Commission has also directed district magistrates to halt hearings for 'unmapped' voters in Bengal.

The incident in Magrahat is currently under review by the Election Commission, with further administrative review to address the growing unrest. Despite the disruptions and security challenges, C Murugan remains focused on fulfilling his assignment as stipulated by the Election Commission.