Naxalbari, 29th December: Elderly residents in Naxalbari faced severe difficulties while attending SIR hearings, highlighting concerns over the accessibility and management of the process.
Many of the notified voters are above 80 years old, including an 89-year-old from North Rathkhola, Naxalbari, who is unable to walk or speak but was still summoned for the hearing. Another affected voter, 80-plus-year-old Neel Mohan Roy from South Kotia, Naxalbari, previously voted in elections but was called for the hearing due to missing his name in the 2002 voter list. Despite suffering from breathing difficulties and the cold, he attended the SIR hearing.
The situation has drawn criticism from the Sabhadhipati of the Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad, who expressed concern over the Election Commission and central government’s handling of the hearings and the undue burden on elderly voters.