Karnataka govt officer attacked for excluding Bangladesh, Pak nationals in SIR list: BJP

A government officer in Karnataka was reportedly attacked by a group of individuals after refusing to include Bangladeshi and Pakistani nationals in the voters' list during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, according to claims by a senior BJP leader. The incident occurred in Pulakeshi Nagar, a locality in Bengaluru, and has sparked allegations of political pressure and inadequate security measures. The victim, identified as Fakirappa, a superintendent rank officer overseeing SIR operations at 10 booths in the constituency, sustained serious injuries including damage to his teeth and lips. According to the BJP leader, S Harish, Fakirappa was dragged onto the road and subjected to a brutal assault by approximately seven or eight individuals. The attackers reportedly targeted him for refusing to include undocumented migrants from Bangladesh and Pakistan in the electoral rolls, citing their lack of valid documentation. Harish alleged that the perpetrators were linked to those responsible for the DJ Halli violence in 2020, during which police stations were attacked. He accused the government of failing to take action against these individuals despite repeated incidents. "These are the same people who, during the DJ Halli incident last time, attacked the police and the police station. Yet the government does nothing against them," he stated. The BJP leader also criticized the state government, specifically targeting Home Minister Priyank Kharge, for its perceived negligence in ensuring the safety of officials conducting the SIR exercise. "Today, under Priyank Kharge's Home Department, if government officials are being assaulted in broad daylight in the middle of the road, then whom is this government trying to protect," Harish questioned. In addition to demanding the resignation of Kharge, Harish called for immediate security measures for all personnel involved in the SIR process. He drew a comparison to the opposition's earlier demands for the resignation of former Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak, suggesting similar accountability is needed in this case. "Just as they demanded the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak, today our officials are being assaulted here," he remarked. Three individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident, though Harish claimed that several others remain at large. He alleged that local Muslim leaders and the local MLA exerted pressure on Fakirappa prior to the attack, attempting to suppress the incident. Fakirappa, reportedly too frightened to speak, was hospitalized following the assault. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of officials involved in the SIR process, particularly given the ongoing nature of the electoral roll revisions. With reports indicating that nearly 16% of voters were found to be absent, relocated, or deceased during similar exercises in other states, the need for secure and impartial administration of such processes has become increasingly critical. As the investigation into the attack continues, the situation underscores the challenges faced by authorities in maintaining order and protecting public servants during sensitive administrative tasks.