UP teacher on SIR duty dies, raising fresh concerns over pressure on booth officers

A 58-year-old biology teacher deployed as a booth level officer (BLO) for voter list verification died at his home in Nehru Nagar, Modinagar, officials said on Saturday, renewing concerns about the intense workload faced by staff involved in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive.

The deceased, Lal Mohan Singh, was a teacher at Modi Science and Commerce Inter College and had been assigned SIR duty in the Sahibabad Assembly constituency. District officials said he died of a suspected brain haemorrhage on Friday night.

Satish Chand Agarwal, the college’s principal, told reporters that Singh had been unwell and working under considerable strain due to the door-to-door verification task. “The administration had warned that the work must be completed at any cost. He was working under stress,” he said.

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Modinagar, Amit Saxena confirmed the death and said the sub-divisional magistrate was examining the administrative aspects. “The SDM, Modinagar informed me that Lal Mohan Singh died of a brain haemorrhage. The SDM is looking into the matter,” Saxena said.

Rising fatalities linked to voter list revision

The electoral roll update exercise, which began in early November across Uttar Pradesh, has come under scrutiny after several deaths and suicides among BLOs were reported in recent weeks. Staff and unions have alleged excessive workloads, long hours and constant pressure to meet targets.

According to complaints submitted to authorities, at least 15 BLOs have died within a span of 19 days in six states — Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan. The fatalities include suspected suicides, heart attacks, strokes and accidents while on duty.

Uttar Pradesh has seen eight deaths in just 10 days, including three cases of suicide. Names cited in various reports include Vipin Yadav and Kamlakant Sharma, both from UP. Families have alleged that staff were being overwhelmed by unrealistic demands during the SIR exercise.

Similar incidents have been recorded elsewhere. In West Bengal, cases involving Rinku Tarafdar and Aneesh George in Kerala were reported as suicides. Other deaths linked to stress or medical collapse include Pradip Kar, Kakoli Sarkar and Namita Hansda.

Teachers’ unions and civil society groups have appealed for intervention, with some writing to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). Protests have also been held in several districts, while West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee publicly urged that the SIR be halted.

Meanwhile, local officials have maintained that the voter list update is a critical exercise mandated by the Election Commission, but have not commented on the wider allegations of pressure.

Singh’s death has deepened the sense of unease. Staff in Modinagar said he was dedicated and conscientious, but had been trying to balance school duties with door-to-door verification work.

“He was a committed teacher and a responsible BLO,” said a colleague. “But the workload was too heavy. This tragedy should be a warning.”

With IANS inputs