Boudh: A Booth Level Officer (BLO) in Odisha’s Boudh district allegedly died by suicide following mental stress and pressure related to Special Intensive Revision (SIR) work, with family members accusing administrative officials of harassment and threats over alleged negligence in duty.
The deceased has been identified as Sayan Sahu, Headmaster of Dimirikhola School under the Sayan Gundulia cluster in Gochapada village. Besides his responsibilities as a school headmaster, Sahu had also been assigned BLO duties for the ongoing SIR exercise.
According to family members, Sahu had been under considerable mental strain as higher officials were allegedly pressuring him over the progress of SIR work in his jurisdiction. They claimed he had been warned of disciplinary action, including suspension, for allegedly failing to perform the assigned duties satisfactorily.
The allegations gained significance after the Boudh district administration reportedly suspended two teachers two days ago for negligence in SIR-related work. Sahu’s son, Krushna Chandra Sahu, alleged that his father feared facing similar action and consumed poison on Thursday.
Following the incident, Sahu was initially admitted to the Baunshuni Community Health Centre (CHC). As his condition deteriorated, he was shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Subarnapur, where doctors declared him dead.
Krushna Chandra Sahu has demanded action against the official whom he holds responsible for creating the circumstances that allegedly led to his father’s mental distress and subsequent suicide.
Reacting to the allegations, the Boudh Sub-Collector said he could not comment on the reason behind the suicide. However, he acknowledged that the SIR work assigned to the deceased was not being carried out properly.
The incident has triggered concern over the pressure allegedly faced by field-level officials and teachers engaged in election-related assignments. Police and administrative authorities are yet to issue a detailed statement on the circumstances surrounding the death.
Further investigation into the incident is underway.