Man on poll duty in South Dinajpur found dead at home

Kolkata: A polling personnel in South Dinajpur was found hanging at his home on Tuesday morning. His family members claimed that he committed suicide because he was tensed due to poll-related violence.

According to sources, Babulal Murmu of Buniadpur in South Dinajpur was selected as a polling personnel for the third phase of Lok Sabha elections. He was kept on reserve, which means in case of any polling personnel gets ill or removed, Murmu will be replaced by him. Murmu, a teacher by profession reportedly expressed his fear over the election duty as incidents of violence were being reported from several areas.

On Monday night, he went to the Dispersal-Cum-Reception Centre (DCRC) from where other polling personnel were issued Electronic Voting Machines and other poll related documents. Later, he went back home without informing DCRC officials.

On Tuesday morning, his wife found him hanging from ceiling. Immediately police were informed. His wife and other family members claimed that Murmu was nervous seeing the violence during the polls and had expressed his fear. He committed suicide as he was afraid to take part in election duty. During a press conference at the Chief Election Commissioner's office, Additional Director General, Law and Order, Sidh Nath Gupta narrated the incident and said that Murmu went home without any intimation.