BLO ends life in Kerala, SIR-related job stress blamed

A school employee, who was working as a Booth Level Officer (BLO) as part of the upcoming local body elections, was found hanging in his house in this north Kerala district on Sunday, police said.

Local people and his family members alleged that Aneesh George (44) took the extreme step due to work pressure in connection with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls.

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.

George's aged father told reporters that his son had been extremely tensed for some days in connection with SIR related duties.

"I never expected that things would reach this level. No individual or society had any role in his death. As per his nature, he was not accustomed to doing any tough tasks like this. He took the extreme step out of this tension," he said.

Early in the day, Shyam, a person close to George's family, also raised similar charges.

While talking to the media, he said that the deceased had complained about the heavy workload and job stress related to the completion of the SIR related works.

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.

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 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 to end his own life. His death was extremely unfortune," Jayarajan said.

He also urged the Election Commission to hold the implementation of the SIR in the state until the LSGD polls are over.

Local Congress leaders alleged that George had undergone political pressure while delivering his duty as BLO. They said they would soon release the evidence, including the audio clips, to substantiate their claims.

Chief Electoral Officer of Kerala, Rathan U Kelkar said a report was sought from Kannur district collector on the death.

"A police investigation is also underway. The other things can be decided after receiving the report. The BLOs are working in a collective manner 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.