MOTHABARI (MALDA): Hundreds of voters deleted during the SIR exercise mobbed this TOI correspondent at Mothabari in Bengal’s Malda on Thursday, polling day, asking whether he was there to “enlist” their names.In the first week of this month, this village made headlines after aggrieved voters held judicial officers engaged in SIR work hostage for hours. Since then, Mothabari has seen a cascade of developments — an NIA probe, multiple arrests, deployment of central forces and a relentless political blame game.Matiur Rahman submitted all his documents, only to discover his name — along with those of two family members — had been struck off. “While the fortunate ones have gone to the booths, we are restricted from even stepping onto the road today. Is this democracy?” he said.Samiul Ahmed admitted to feeling “guilty”. He said, “My son and I could vote, but my niece couldn’t. How can we rejoice?” Rajiul Mahaldar was blunt: “This is a black day for democracy.” Dilip Sk (60) was still trying to make sense of his exclusion. His son Azad’s name featured on the rolls. “How is my son there if I am not?” he said.There were unusually thin queues outside booths — some places wore a deserted look after the first two hours. In one booth, the electorate had shrunk from 1,116 to 592. In another, the number dropped from 1,005 to 577. Almost all valid voters cast their ballots. Mothabari clocked Malda’s highest turnout at 92.3% based on trends till 5pm.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Uninformed, Inappropriate’: India Responds To Trump’s ‘Hell-hole’ Comment‘In Touch With Iran’: MEA Confirms Indian Crew Safe After Hormuz FiringViolent Clashes Mar Bengal Phase 1 Voting As Tamil Stars Contribute To 82% TurnoutFrance Waives Airport Transit Visa For Indian Nationals, Boosts Travel EaseTop Military Leadership Of India And US Engage To Discuss Common Concerns In The Indo-pacificEx-Domestic Worker Arrested in Delhi IIT Graduate Murder; Linked to Alwar CaseTrump Sparks Outrage After Reposting ‘Hellholes’ Remark on India, China Amid Citizenship DebateUS Congressman Urges Pakistan To Act Against LeT, JeM; Renews Focus On Cross-Border TerrorWest Bengal Poll Violence: Blast In Murshidabad Injures Multiple During VotingVijay Writes To EC Seeking Poll Extension Amid 17.69% Early Turnout In Tamil Nadu123Photostories10 beautiful baby girl names that mean grace and eleganceTop 5 footballers influencing men’s fashion right now7 air-purifying plants for terrace gardensAre you using the right spoon? Here’s what each type of spoon is actually designed forGarad to Tangail: 5 underrated textiles from West Bengal you need to knowRoyal birthdays in May 2026: List of upcoming birthdays of Royals across the worldExclusive – Parth Samthaan on Mahid’s popularity, Sehar Hone Ko Hai and work-life balance: ‘We never tried to create controversy or show religion as propaganda’7 ways to make your first home feel right—cozy, functional, and personalMeghan Markle to Katy Perry: Ultimate celebrity backyards that serve as private hideawaysTop 5 elite residential neighbourhoods in Lucknow for end-users and investors123Hot PicksBengal Election 2026UP Board Class 10 result 2026Bengal election dos and don’tsTamil Nadu pollsSIR ProtestTN election dos and don’tsBank Holidays AprilTop TrendingWest Bengal electionTamil Nadu electionDianna RussiniNFL TradeTaylor SwiftMike VrabelUPMSP 12th ResultAnna KournikovasDNA TestIPL Orange Cap
MOTHABARI (MALDA): Hundreds of voters deleted during the SIR exercise mobbed this TOI correspondent at Mothabari in Bengal’s Malda on Thursday, polling day, asking whether he was there to “enlist” their names.In the first week of this month, this village made headlines after aggrieved voters held judicial officers engaged in SIR work hostage for hours. Since then, Mothabari has seen a cascade of developments — an NIA probe, multiple arrests, deployment of central forces and a relentless political blame game.Matiur Rahman submitted all his documents, only to discover his name — along with those of two family members — had been struck off. “While the fortunate ones have gone to the booths, we are restricted from even stepping onto the road today. Is this democracy?” he said.Samiul Ahmed admitted to feeling “guilty”. He said, “My son and I could vote, but my niece couldn’t. How can we rejoice?” Rajiul Mahaldar was blunt: “This is a black day for democracy.” Dilip Sk (60) was still trying to make sense of his exclusion. His son Azad’s name featured on the rolls. “How is my son there if I am not?” he said.There were unusually thin queues outside booths — some places wore a deserted look after the first two hours. In one booth, the electorate had shrunk from 1,116 to 592. In another, the number dropped from 1,005 to 577. Almost all valid voters cast their ballots. Mothabari clocked Malda’s highest turnout at 92.3% based on trends till 5pm.
