Kolkata: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Saturday night sharply criticised the Election Commission and the BJP over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, linking the fear it creates to the death of Bimal Santra from Purba Bardhaman district. The TMC said on X, "Another precious life lost to @BJP4India's politics of fear and hatred." Santra, a migrant worker from Nabagram village, had moved to Tamil Nadu after becoming jobless and was admitted to a hospital due to deteriorating health before he died.

Santra’s family reported, "My father was under severe stress. He was hospitalised due to this. We contacted our MLA, who helped us a lot in this crisis." Local MLA Ashok Majhi said, "People were jobless because the 100-day work scheme was not operational here. He, like others, went to Tamil Nadu and was working there. But I have been told by his family that he was scared of the SIR, and ultimately, he lost his life. This is unfortunate. I am with the family."

The TMC also referred to similar recent tragedies: "In just a few days, we have seen: 57-year-old Pradeep Kar of Panihati, who died by suicide and blamed the NRC in his note. Then, a 63-year-old man from Jitpur, Dinhata, Cooch Behar, who attempted to take his life, was terrified of harassment under the SIR process, and a 95-year-old Khitish Majumder of Kotwali, Paschim Medinipur, who was living with his daughter in Ilambazar, Birbhum, and ended his life."

"This is the human cost of an exercise designed to terrorise and displace. SIR is an instrument of intimidation, driving our people to despair, forcing them to question their citizenship and their right to belong. @BJP4India, your hands are stained with blood," said the TMC. The party vowed, "The people of Bengal will seek justice, and we will make sure they answer for every life ruined by their politics of hate."

With inputs from PTI