NEW DELHI: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee condemned the Special Intensive Revision going on in the state, alleging the process that was expected to be constructive has already claimed 77 lives while leaving multiple others needing hospitalisation.

In her letter to the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the CM wrote, "It is shocking that an exercise which should have been constructive and productive has already seen 77 deaths with 4 attempts to suicide and 17 persons falling sick and necessitating hospitalisation."

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She further stated that the process was "relentlessly harassing the ordinary citizens" and that the revision of the voter lists is being done strictly on technical data without any human judgment. Mamata alleged that the ECI has undertaken the procedure without proper planning, which has caused fear and intimidation. "This is attributed to fear, intimidation and disproportionate workload due to unplanned exercise undertaken by ECI," the CM wrote.‘77 deaths due to SIR’: Mamata makes explosive charges on EC again; flags ‘inhumane’ conditions"

'Harassment of citizens'

Mamata Banerjee attacked the ECI, claiming the revisions are subjecting the citizens to unreasonable pressure and administrative scrutiny. She wrote, "I am deeply shocked and disturbed by the manner in which the Election Commission of India (ECI) appears to be relentlessly harassing ordinary citizens during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR)."

Highlighting the importance of human intervention and judgment in the process, she said that this revision forms the foundation of democracy and the constitutional framework."The hearing process has become largely mechanical, driven purely by technical data and is completely devoid of the application of mind, sensitivity and human touch that are indispensable for an exercise of this nature-one that directly forms the bedrock of our democracy and constitutional framework," she wrote.

'Lack of social sensitivity'

In her claims, the Bengal CM, calling the practice "lack of social sensitivity" and "grave insult to women", alleged that many women voters who moved to their matrimonial homes are being questioned and summoned to prove their identity.The CM wrote, "Women electors who have shifted to their matrimonial homes and changed their surnames after marriage are being questioned and summoned for hearings to prove their identity. This not only reflects a complete lack of social sensitivity but also constitutes a grave insult to women and genuine voters. Is this how a constitutional authority treats half of the electorate?"She also highlighted the names of prominent personalities like Amartya Sen, Joy Goswami, and Mohammed Shami, who have been asked to establish their credentials, calling it "profound shame".The letter ended with a handwritten postscript from the CM saying, "Though I know you won't reply or clarify. But it was my duty to inform you the details."On Monday, Mamata Banerjee had announced her plan to move to the Supreme Court over the "inhumane treatment" of the citizens during SIR. The revision drive has been underway in West Bengal for over two months. It has triggered confusion among the citizens and extreme stress on field staff, with several BLOs reportedly dying due to health complications or suicide from increased workload.