The death of 41-year-old booth-level officer (BLO) Aneesh George in Kannur’s Ettukudukka has triggered widespread protests across Kerala, with government employees’ unions and political parties alleging extreme pressure linked to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls. Aneesh, who worked as a school attendant and BLO for Booth No. 18 in the Payyannur constituency, was found hanging at his home on November 16.
Family and Neighbours Cite Severe Work Stress
Residents said that Aneesh appeared distressed due to the workload. Neighbour Shyju V K said Aneesh had taken his family to church in the morning and returned home before taking the extreme step, and that although he had struggled to identify a few houses during his BLO work, he managed with help from others. Family members said he left behind his wife and two children.
A case of unnatural death under BNSS 194 was registered at Peringome Police Station. His brother-in-law Saiju said Aneesh had not been getting enough time to eat or sleep properly and had been under significant strain to complete SIR-related tasks. He also alleged that senior officers had frequently contacted Aneesh for updates, adding that Aneesh’s father had even advised him not to worry about losing his job due to the workload. His body was handed over to the family after post-mortem.
Collector Says No Evidence of Work-Related Pressure
Kannur District Collector Arun K Vijayan, IAS, said that a preliminary inquiry had shown no indication that Aneesh was under work pressure. He stated that Aneesh had been performing well as a BLO and had completed over 77% of the first phase of the SIR exercise. The Collector added that the Chief Electoral Officer had sought a detailed report and that a consolidated version would be sent after combining inputs from the Electoral Registration Officer and the police.
The CEO’s office also said there was no established link between the suicide and SIR duties, noting that all necessary support had been provided.
Statewide Boycott by BLOs; Protests at Collectorates
The incident prompted BLOs across the state to boycott SIR duties on Monday. Government employees’ unions, including the Action Council of State Government Employees and Teachers and the Joint Committee of Teacher Service Organisations, held protests at district collectorates demanding that excessive pressure be stopped and that the SIR schedule be reconsidered.
The Kerala NGO Association also staged statewide protests calling for the suspension of SIR activities to prevent further tragedies.
Despite the boycott call, many BLOs reportedly continued their duties due to the pending workload ahead of the December 4 deadline set by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Congress Alleges CPI(M) Pressure on BLO
The Congress claimed that Aneesh had also faced political intimidation from CPI(M) workers in his area. Kannur DCC member Rajith Narath said the CPI(M) local leadership had reportedly objected to a Congress booth-level agent accompanying Aneesh during house visits for enumeration. He alleged that the intention was to retain invalid names, including those of deceased voters, those who had shifted residences, and duplicate entries on the electoral rolls.
According to him, the area had a history of blocking non-CPI(M) booth agents during elections, and he cited concerns that votes were often cast in the names of those who were dead or no longer residing in the area. He also said that although the SIR process would help remove such names, CPI(M) workers were reluctant because it would reduce their vote base.
He added that Aneesh had filed a complaint with the District Collector days before his death but that no action had been taken.
Leaked Phone Call Fuels Controversy
A recorded phone conversation, released by the Kannur District Congress Committee, purportedly between Aneesh and a Congress booth agent Vysakh, indicated that Aneesh had told him he was under pressure not to allow the Congress agent to accompany him.
Kannur District Congress Committee president Martin George alleged that threats from CPI(M) workers had contributed to Aneesh’s suicide and that workload alone could not explain the incident. He claimed the conversation supported these allegations.
According to him, CPI(M) booth-level agent Rafeek had threatened Aneesh, and instead of allowing the officially designated BLA to accompany the BLO, a former CPI(M) branch secretary and other party workers had been accompanying him during the SIR enumeration. Martin George said the CPI(M) was attempting to retain bogus voters in the Alappadamba panchayat and that identifying such entries through the revised electoral roll could have placed Aneesh in a difficult position.
As reported in Mathrubhumi English, in the audio clip, Aneesh was heard telling Vysakh not to accompany him from the next day, reportedly saying that some individuals were strongly opposing it and intended to block his presence. When Vysakh asked who was creating the obstruction, Aneesh replied that he would explain it in person. Vysakh was heard advising him to report the matter to senior officials, arguing that he was accompanying the BLO as per Election Commission guidelines. Aneesh responded that Vysakh could file a complaint stating that he was not being allowed to join the enumeration and that the situation was difficult because the area was dominated by certain groups.
Congress leaders argued that the call reflected the political pressure Aneesh had been facing.
CPI(M) Kannur district secretary KK Ragesh dismissed these allegations, saying the incident was being misinterpreted for political gain.
Opposition Demands Accountability
Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan said initial information suggested that CPI(M) interference should be investigated and alleged that both the CPI(M) and BJP were attempting to manipulate the electoral roll. He urged the state government and the ECI to ensure the safety of BLOs and stated that the short deadline placed excessive burden on officers, most of whom were women.
KPCC president Sunny Joseph said a phone call indicated that CPI(M) workers had allegedly threatened Aneesh with a false complaint. He argued that such political pressure, combined with work strain, pushed Aneesh to suicide. Joseph also criticised the ECI for implementing SIR after local body election announcements and said the Congress would approach the Supreme Court against the process.
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