Karnataka BLO on SIR duty critically injured in Tumakuru road accident

A Booth Level Officer (BLO) on her way to carry out work related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls was seriously injured in a road accident in Karnataka’s Tumakuru district.

The accident occurred near Cholanahalli on Kunigal Road. The injured officer has been identified as Bhuvana (25). According to the police, she was travelling to villages under the Goolur Hobli jurisdiction to distribute enumeration forms and conduct a door-to-door survey as part of the electoral roll revision when a lorry collided with her scooter.

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Bhuvana sustained severe injuries in the accident and was admitted to the Tumakuru District Hospital, where she is undergoing treatment. Hospital sources said her condition is critical.

Family alleges work pressure

Speaking to reporters at the hospital, Bhuvana’s family alleged that pressure related to SIR duties had led to the incident. “There was pressure from officials to go door to door and complete the work. That is what led to this situation,” Bhuvana’s parents alleged through tears.

Local residents stage protest

Following the incident, local residents and members of several organisations staged a protest on the hospital premises. The protesters surrounded the vehicle of District Collector Shubha and demanded adequate safety measures for staff engaged in the SIR exercise.

The Election Commission had recently directed BLOs to visit households, distribute enumeration forms, and collect information as part of the electoral roll revision. Field-level staff have since been carrying out these duties.

Police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the accident. They are examining whether negligence on the part of the lorry driver was responsible for the crash.

(This article was originally published in The Federal Karnataka.)