Kerala: BLO ends life ahead of local body elections; family alleges ‘SIR-related’ job stress
George, a Booth Level Officer in Payyannur, was discovered dead by hanging, attributed to stress from his electoral duties.
A SCHOOL employee, who was working as a Booth Level Officer (BLO) was found hanging in his house in this north Kerala district on Sunday, police said, as reported by PTI.
Local people and his family members alleged that Aneesh George, the deceased man, took the extreme step due to the work pressure in connection with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls, now underway in the state.
George was working as a peon in a government school in Payyannur. Police said he was found hanging in the hall of the first floor of his house in Payyannur. It is said that the man had been under pressure for some time in connection with the BLO duties, according to the FIR.
Shyam, a person close to George's family, said that the deceased had complained about the heavy workload and job stress related to the completion of the SIR-related works.
"His family said that Aneesh George was working till 2.00 am on Sunday. They said that he was under immense pressure to complete the filling of the forms related to SIR and distribute them among everyone in the designated area," he told reporters.
The shocking incident happened at a time when the major political parties, including the ruling CPI (M) and opposition Congress, have been voicing against the implementation of SIR in the state.
Political leaders point out ‘extreme workload’
While CPI(M) leader M V Jayarajan said they have been pointing out the work pressure experienced by BLOs in connection with the SIR, Congress leader Rijil Makkutty said Aneesh George was a victim of the Election Commission's attempt to implement it ahead of the local body polls to fulfil the BJP agenda.
"Due to the extreme workload, he might have felt that there was no option other than ending his own life. His death was extremely unfortunate," Jayarajan said.
He also called on the Election Commission to pause the implementation of the SIR in the state until the LSGD elections are completed.
Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U. Kelkar said that a report on the incident had been requested from the Kannur district collector.
“A police investigation is also underway. The other things can be decided after receiving the report. The BLOs are working collectively and we have not received any information about their work pressure so far,” he told reporters.
He also clarified that the BLOs need not do any job other than the one in connection with the SIR for 31 days and normally, there is no chance of any work pressure.
The official also said that the police investigation and the report of the district collector would bring out all details of the incident.
