Photography controversy at border panel meeting

Statesman News Service

MAHADIPUR (Malda/India), Jan. 30. — A day-long sector commander level border coordination meet was held at Mahadipur border outpost in Malda on Monday. While Indian photographers were prevented from taking snaps of the programme, even from outside, Bangla border guards were allowed to shoot video footage of the entire location, including BSF’s watch towers.The deputy inspector general of BSF-Berhampur sector, Mr GK Sharma, threatened the Indian photographers by saying that their cameras would be seized if they continued to take pictures after the Bangladeshi team arrived. Mr Sharma did not want to talk to the press about the meeting despite several requests. Mr T Lal, a BSF official, informed higher authorities when three Bangladeshi officials started taking snaps from the main watch tower at Mahadipur immigration check post. “It is up to the level of top officials. We can not prevent them now,” he said. The BSF allowed the Bangladeshi officials to continue taking snaps after higher officials advised them to do so. The Bangladeshi team came to Mahadipur at about 10 am and left for Bangladesh in late evening. The assistant commandant of the Mahadipur border out post, Mr P K Roy, told this correspondent: “We will send the resolution of the meeting to the government soon. We discussed several issues including the present situation and the relation between the two countries.” He disclosed that the DIG had not given him permission to talk to the press about the meeting. The security guards of the top BSF officials said that the discussion was healthy and there was no altercation at the closed-door meeting. On the other hand, officials at the immigration checkpost expressed their unhappiness at the high-handed attitude of the top BSF officials because they were not informed about the Bangladeshi team. They criticised the higher officials by saying: “The BSF has spent Rs 4000 only for meat.” Export was suspended for over three hours due to the border coordination meeting, said Mahadipur customs officials.

Indian exports hit hard at Mahadipur

Statesman News Service

MAHADIPUR (BOP in Malda), Jan. 30. — Indian export to Bangladesh from Mahadipur land customs station has been badly hampered owing to the ongoing agitation in Bangladesh on the issue of rural electrification since 23 January, officials informed today. Indian customs officials said that a continuous clash between civilians and Bangladeshi officials is on. Allegedly, nearly a dozen people have lost their lives in clashes over the distribution of electric power in the rural regions and the system of revenue collection at Kansart in Shibganj district of Bangladesh. According to information derived from the exporters and customs officials, the local people have blocked the 50 km-long international road, the Biswa Path. Trees growing on either side of the Biswa Path has been cut down and strewn on the road in order to block it. “Local people have also blew up a small bridge at Dhapra village in Bangaldesh snapping communication by road,” said an Indian exporter. “We have now been forced to take our trucks loaded with perishable goods through Hilli in South Dinajpur and via other land customs stations in South Bengal instead of the usual route,” said Mr Samir Ghosh, an exporter. The superintendent of Mahadipur land customs station, Mr P Kundu, said: “Export has been hampered since 23 January owing to an agitation in Bangladesh. Yet, we have released nearly 55 lorries today, though the usual count is over 200 lorries per day from the LC station.”The Bangladeshi importers too are not in a position to receive even the non-perishable export goods, due to the ongoing agitation. The goods cannot be delivered at Rajshahi and Dhaka owing to the jamming of roads by the agitators, the local exporters said. A few importers, selecting an alternative route passing from Sona Masjid in Bangladesh, however have managed to deliver some packets of grains and fruits.” People from both, India and Bangladesh, who are engaged in the import-export trade are troubled owing to the agitation. Mrs Nilima Rani Basak, a resident of Bangladesh, reportedly reached India from Shibganj, after facing great difficulties in the journey. At times, she even had to walk long distances by foot or travel by a rickshaw to cross the immigration check post today. Reportedly, only 28 people arrived in India from Bangladesh today, whereas, 35 people travelled to Bangladesh from India.

Smuggling, infiltration up along border

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Jan. 27. — Despite security being tightened across the porous Indo-Bangladesh border, infiltration and smuggling continues in north and south Bengal, officials said today after registering several cases of infiltration and cattle smuggling here.

On the eve of Republic Day, Malda police arrested over 10 Bangladehsis on 25 January, who had crossed the border in search of a job in Malda.

Today BSF jawans intercepted a large herd of cattle in English Bazaar area, close to the border.

Prior to R-Day celebrations in South Dinajpur, the district administration had beefed up security along the Indo-Bangladesh border yesterday, after the arrest of a Kashmiri militant a few weeks ago, who had crossed the border several times in this region.

Just a day before Id, BSF had seized a large herd of cattle. In a separate incident in the same area, BSF had killed one Bangladeshi, who tried to sneak into Indian territory after cutting down the fencing near Peasbari border outpost area under English Bazaar police station.

On the other hand, on 22 January, acting on a tip-off, Murshidabad police arrested a 23-year-old Bangladeshi college student from a village in Murshidabad district who fled his home when Bangladesh police raided his house after a serial blasts in Bangladesh.

After thorough interrogation, Murshidabad police have received information that the Bangladeshi student, Md Obaidur Rahman, crossed the border to take refuge in a home of his distant relative in Murshidabad, fearing a raid by Bangladeshi police.

It may be worth noting that police has been searching for the head of the militant group Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen in Bangladesh, who is the prime suspect in connection with the serial blasts.

New twist in CPI-M worker's murder case

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Jan. 27. — Though the CPI-M had held the KLO activists solely responsible for the murder of a CPI-M worker Shekhar Sinha, who was shot in a clubroom at Pakuahat on 22 January night, the district CPI-M leaders said today that the victim’s close associates were also involved in the murder.Police have already arrested Samir Roy, a CPI-M worker, who was a deputy pradhan of a local gram panchayat and at present is a panchayat worker in Pakuahat.Samir was present in the club room when the incident took place and played a key role to invite Shekhar to join them to drink liquor on that night. Shekhar was so popular and he had set the club framing some rules and regulations where liquor was restricted. Sources said that Shekhar, who is very close to Mr Sailen Sarkar, minister for food processing industries and horticulture, was a committed worker and after completion of diploma engineering got a service in Cooch Beher Zilla Parishad. Shekhar had protested against some ‘unlawful’ work and anti party activities committed by a group of youths led by Samir Roy, they claimed. It was also reported by the relatives that Samir used to send threat letters in the name of KLO to the local people of repute and collected ransom in the name of KLO. Not only that Samir was also involved in various illegal activities and used to collect tax from the traders.A distant relative of Shekhar informed that when Shekhar came to know about it, he threatened to disclose the matter to the CPI-M leaders if they do not put a halt to their evil practices.“The group led by Samir Roy, after election in Pakuahat college, a few days ago where Shekhar played a vital role to win all seats against the Left Front, was trying to create an atmosphere that anti-Left forces particularly KLO members have targeted to kill him and the group showcased a team of guard for his safety and security,” Shekhar’s associates claimed “Firearm which was used to kill Shekhar was sophisticated and there must be a KLO link,” said Mr Jiban Moitra, the district secretary of the CPI-M, adding that they would be getting a clearer picture very soon after completion of police investigations. Mr Moitra alleged that the close associates of Shekhar were also involved in the murder.“A forensic team will be coming today to investigate the matter. We have arrested Samir Roy, the prime suspect. After completion of the investigation it would be crystal clear who masterminded the murder,” said Mr Dilip Kumar Mondal, the Malda SP.

BJP panchayat man a Bangladeshi : Cong

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Jan. 19. — Setting aside the issue of mahajot temporarily, the Malda Congress leaders submitted a complaint against Mr Ananda Sarkar, the BJP gram panchayat pradhan, to the Malda administration on Thursday. They alleged that Mr Sarkar is a Bangladeshi national who enjoys dual citizenship and voting rights in India as well as in Bangladesh. Congress leaders also claimed that Mr Sarkar became chief of the Chaknagar gram panchayat in Gazole with the support of the CPI-M members. According to documents collected by the Congress leaders, both Mr Ananda Sarkar and his wife are Indian citizens and possess electoral photo identity cards (No. WB-06-040-174401 and serial number 994) in the Gazole assembly segment. The leaders have also discovered a certificate of residence given to Mr Ananda Sarkar by the Anaitara Union Parishad that is located in the Mirzapur sub-division of the Tangail district of Bangladesh. Mr Prasanta Roy, a PCC member and a Malda lawyer, said that Mr Sarkar is also a member of a union board in Bangladesh.The Malda SDO, Mr Prasanna Kumar Mondal, stated that the BDO of Gazole has been told to investigate the complaint filed by the Malda Congress leaders. He also said: “I will also talk to the district magistrate and it is he who will finally decide how to confirm the report that Mr Ananda Sarkar is allegedly also a Bangladeshi national.” The Election Commission observer for Malda, Mr D Singh, had tried hard to lodge a complaint against Bangladeshi voters in the district . #

Pic collected via Google

Ghani mulls meeting Sonia

Statesman News Service

MALDA,(India) Jan. 19. — After cancelling his plan to attend the Hyderabad session of Congress Working Committee, Mr Ghani Khan Choudhury is now mulling to meet Mrs Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi tentatively in the last week of January, Malda Congress sources said today.Embarrassed by the recent controversy over mahajot, Mr Choudhury today attended a social programme, where he met the Congress party workers and interacted with them.“Barkat-da is the only man who has boldly disclosed the plan to formulate the mahajot and tactically oust the CPI-M. But, we know that an alliance with the BJP will be again a “national level politics blunder”, Mr Samit Chatterjee, a Congress member said.“The PCC has adopted a resolution to form an alliance with all anti-Left votes in the state and its execution is a must,” a group of Malda Congress workers said. They pointed out that though Trinamul has solid hold on certain districts in South Bengal as compared to Congress, but not in Murshidabad and Malda, where Trinamul will need Congress. Likewise, at some places the Congress will also need Trinamul’s support. Otherwise, the anti-Left vote bank will be divided, the sources added.Congress sources further revealed that Mr Ghani Khan Choudhary would meet Mrs Sonia Gandhi and another meeting will be organised with her where West Bengal PCC chief, Mr Pranab Mukherjee and Raiganj MP, Mr Priya Ranjan Das Munshi will also be present. #

Pic Collected via Google

Cong asks BJP man to defect
Statesman News Service

MALDA, Jan. 20. — While on the one hand, the Congress stalwart is still harping on a mahajot, a group of Congress leaders including the PCC members reportedly proposed the suspended the BJP leader and the former Union minister, Mr Tapan Sikdar, to join Congress.Political sources said that some Congress leaders also proposed that Mr Sikdar contest in the Assembly segment if he likes and even for the English Bazaar seat in Malda.The object of this move is to crush the BJP in West Bengal, which is an ally of the Trinamul Congress, informed sources.The political leaders of both the Trinamul and the BJP camps are discussing the matter, but, they do have any information about the final decision from the end of Mr Sikdar till date. The news has hurt the Trinamul as well as the BJP camps on the issue of mahajot and the Malda Trinamul district president was also reportedly planning to contest again in the English Bazaar. It may be recalled that Mr Tapan Sikdar had contested twice in English Bazaar Assembly seat, but was defeated. Lastly, he was elected as MP from DamDam parliamentary constituency.Owing to factional feud and difference of opinion with the present state president, Mr Tathagata Roy, Mr Sikdar was suspended on the charge of anti-party activities, as per records.#

Jolt for Opp in English Bazaar

MALDA. Jan. 18. — The Opposition’s target to dislodge the CPM-backed board in English Bazaar Municipality, has been stalled owing to misunderstanding between the Congress and Trinamul councillors over the selection of the next chairman. Sources said that one of the senior congress councillor, Mr Narendranath Tewari has expressed his displeasure with the decision to nominate Mr Dulal Sarkar, a Trinamul councillor and a rebel leader of the party, as the next chairman. Though it was not officially decided who will be the next chairman after ouster of the present Left board. But it was learnt that the Trinamul congress will give chair to rebel one who had cast vote in favour of the CPI-M six month ago. It may be recalled that Trinamul chief Miss Mamata Banerjee, during her visit, instructed to dislodge the CPI-M here and form a board with the help of Congress and BJP just to make a primary model of mahajot here. She also said: “After dislodging the CPI-M the party will decided who will be next chairman.” The district Trinamul leaders, after holding a meeting with Miss Mamata Banerjee, had sent a letter reminding all the Left councillors regarding the no-confidence motion called by them a month ago. The Trinamul has also decided that they would call the requisition meeting on 24 January to dislodge the Left-backed chairman. Retorting to the issue, the CPI-M councilors said they don’t bother about the requisition meeting. “Let them settle their internal quarrel. A few Opposition councillors will always vote for us (directly or indirectly) over the issue of chairman selection”, a CPI-M councillor said. — SNS

Opp upset over stay order

MALDA, Jan. 20.— The Opposition councilors were upset today upon receiving information that the ruling councilors have received a stay order stalling their no-confidence motion for removing the chairman of the civic body. Political sources said that a group of CPI-M councilors moved the court to take-on 13 Trinamul, Congress and the BJP councilors prepared to dislodge the present chairman. On the basis of a technical ground relating to the Municipal Act, a section of CPI-M councilors managed to get the approval for a stay order on no-confidence motion, in the absence of the caveat in the High Court. Sources said that the Opposition had calculated a wrong date for calling requisition meeting for removal of the chairman. — SNS

Rebuked Ghani toes a soft line

Statesman News Service

MALDA. Jan. 18. — Barely two days after Mr ABA Ghani Khan Chowdhury pledged to work for the formation of a mahajot in the state for the next Assembly election, Congressmen in Malda today admitted that the “situation was not ripe at the moment to think about a mahajot involving the BJP.”

Mr Ghani Khan, who had earlier said that he would raise the mahajot issue at the Hyderabad session of the Congress Working Committee, also kept his decision on joining the session in suspense.

He was expected to board a flight for Hyderabad on 21 January. Congress sources said the PCC chief, Mr Pranab Mukherjee’s fax message to Mr Ghani Khan had prompted the latter to toe a softer line.

Mr Ghani Khan, who had accused Mr Mukherjee of misleading Mrs Sonia Gandhi on the issue of mahajot, has drawn flak from the party high command.Malda Congress leaders, including Mr Ghani Khan, have chosen to keep mum on the issue for now. #

PCC on ghost voters

The PCC leadership in Kolkata has urged the EC not to hold an Assembly poll in the state till the voters’ rolls are cleansed of bogus voters. The PCC brass also ruled out an alliance with Trinamul Congress as long as it remained an ally of the BJP.

Malda ration cards stun EC

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Jan. 17. — The Election Commission observer for Malda, Mr D Singh, has detected gross anomalies in the system of issuing ration cards in the Malda district, officials today informed, after his departure. The official said that Mr Singh specifically drew the attention of the concerned officials towards the abnormal ratio between people issuing ration cards and the actual population, which was comparatively very low. Mr Singh had also noted that the rate of voter’s enrolment in the electoral list is 40 to 50 per cent, whereas, the percentage of ration card holders is as high as 90 to 95 per cent in some areas of the district, such as Kaliachak. The EC observer personally examined the ration card records starting from the year 2000-01 to 2005, and also checked the average rate of ration cards issued in previous years after comparing it with the rate of population recorded in the last three census in the Malda district. Officials inform that yesterday, he sought all reports on the food supplies department and studied it minutely till the last minute of his departure. Personally visiting some blocks close to the Bangladesh border dominated by both the Hindus and the Muslims, the observer also inquired the district officials about the ration card and electoral photo identity cards held by Bangladeshi nationals residing in the border areas. “Inspite of the lack of specific information, the EC observer was confident that a good number of ration and EPIC cards were owned by the Bangladeshi nationals residing in the border areas. The observer strongly suspected that it was particularly due to this reason why there was a major difference between the ration or EPIC card holders and the actual population”, a senior district official said. As such, ration cards are now being verified as per the instructions from the Observer, sources said. State officials fear that if the observer reports it to the EC recommending deletion of Bangladeshi nationals from the electoral list, it will prove really difficult to identify the persons as they managed to get the ration card made in their names by illegal means. On the other hand, a group of political leaders are demanding that pending applications for fresh ration cards including neo-citizens by birth should be released immediately. The LF convener and the district CPI-M district secretary had submitted a deputation to the EC observer demanding assurance of EPIC for all and revision of ration cards issued by the district authorities. “Many people inspite of being Indian citizens do not possess a ration card. At the same time, holders of fake ration cards are availing all the benefits”, said Mr Jiban Moitra, district secretary of the district LF. #

'Cong & BJP may destroy mahajot'

Pranab fax for Ghani
Statesman News Service

MALDA, Jan. 17. — A fax message from West Bengal Pradesh Congress chief Mr Pranab Mukherjee has left party stalwart Mr ABA Ghani Khan Chowdhury in trouble. Peeved at Mr Chowdhury’s outburst against the party high command, Mr Mukherjee faxed the letter yesterday, stating that there was no question of forming a mahajot in the state involving the BJP. Mr Chowdhury, who held a meeting with Miss Mamata Banerjee at his residence here yesterday, had said that notwithstanding the party high command’s stand, he would work for the formation of a mahajot in the state with the BJP as its constituent and that he had no reservation in tying up with the Trinamul even if it remained an ally of the BJP. Sources said Congress leaders have been pressuring Mr Chowdhury to withdraw his “anti party” statement. Addressing a joint press conference with Miss Banerjee yesterday, the former railway minister and Malda strongman had said: “Pranabbabu does not know the ground realities of Bengal and he tries to mislead Mrs Sonia Gandhi. During the forthcoming Congress session at Hyderabad, I will try to make Mrs Gandhi aware about the need to form a grand alliance in the state for the Assembly poll.” Opposing Mr Chowdhury’s statement, a senior Congress leader in New Delhi reportedly told Mr Mukherjee to take up the matter with the party high command and instruct Mr Chowdhury not to hold parleys with the BJP for a grand alliance. Malda Congress leaders have, however, downplayed the fax message of Mr Mukherjee, saying “it was a letter on family matters”. Interestingly, at a time when Mr Chowdhury has expressed his willingness to form a mahajot involving the BJP, his sister and MLA, Mrs Ruby Noor said: “We have to maintain a secular image because of acceptability among the minority communities in West Bengal. There is no doubt that it is a critical factor in the state.”

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Jan. 16. — The Trinamul Congress chief, Miss Mamata Banerjee, today warned the Malda district Trinamul Congress leaders from doing anything as per their own discretion, as the Congress and the BJP in Malda can ‘destroy’ their entire effort to form a mahajot in Bengal. After a marathon meeting with the local leaders, Miss Mamata Banerjee urged the Trinamul Congress leaders to dislodge the LF backed ruling board in the English Bazaar Municipality and form a new board with help from the Congress and the BJP. This will be just a miniature version of the Mahajot to showcase two examples in Malda, the other being the Malda Zilla Parishad. Though, it was decided that Miss Banerjee would today finalise and propose the name of a Trinamul councillor for the English Bazaar Municipality, but, she just evaded the issue before the press, saying: “Let them first dislodge the CPI-M from the board and then the question of selecting a chairman will arise.” It may be recalled that owing to factional feud among the Trinamul Congress leaders, the CPI-M managed to elicit one vote from the Trinamul Congress camp six months ago. However, after a meeting with Miss Mamata Banerjee today, the Trinamul Congress today tabled a letter reminding the LF backed civic body chief that they would call in a ‘requisition’ meeting for calling a no-confidence motion against him. Reports state that neither the civic body chief or his deputy have , called a meeting to prove their majority in the board even after receiving the no-confidence motion proposition letter by the 13 councillors, including the Congress and BJP as per the Municipal Act.#

Pic. Anindita Roy

Pranab for Mamata as CM sans BJP help

Statesman News Service

DURGAPUR /KOLKATA, Jan. 16. — The Congress has finally given up all reservations bar the one regarding the inclusion of the BJP in an anti-Left alliance. The party today declared Trinamul Congress president Miss Mamata Banerjee as the chief ministerial candidate of the proposed Opposition grand alliance or mahajot sans the BJP for the forthcoming Assembly election in West Bengal. The state Congress president and defence minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, declared: ‘‘We are all set to project Mamata as our choice for the chief minister of the state during the election campaign.’’ Mr Mukherjee told reporters, ‘‘the PCC working committee had agreed to go in for a mahajot to confront the Left Front in the Assembly election. We had firm resolutions in this respect favouring a non-communal front and the copy of the resolutions have already been sent to Mamata for her appraisal.” The PCC president said, ‘‘undoubtedly Mamata is the most popular leader in anti-Left politics and she deserves this projection. We have got just a single rider that she has to quit her alliance with the BJP.’’Mr Mukherjee declared this considering the gravity of Miss Banerjee’s meeting with Mr ABA Ghani Khan Chowdhury in Malda today. Mr Chowdhury asked the Congress to allow Mamata to continue her alliance with the BJP in certain seats on the lines of what had been followed in the Malda civic poll.Asked what the PCC is going to do if she refuses to desert her NDA friends, Mr Mukherjee said, ‘‘I am yet to sit with her for a direct discussion on the issue.” In another move, Miss Banerjee today upped the ante against the CPI-M by deciding to address a party meeting on 19 January at the very spot in Barasat where trouble erupted 12 years ago and for which a non-bailable arrest warrant had been issued against her.

Ghani differs

MALDA, Jan. 16. — Refusing to toe the line of WBPCC president Mr Pranab Mukherjee, veteran party leader Mr ABA Ghani Khan Chowdhury, who met Trinamul Congress chief Ms Mamata Banerjee here today, started the spadework for a mahajot including the BJP, in his home district of Malda for the coming state Assembly poll. Mr Khan Chowdhury said the grand alliance would take place irrespective of the state leadership’s stand and he would meet Mrs Sonia Gandhi to convince her. He said that the Congress needed the unqualified support of Miss Banerjee in its efforts to oust the CPI-M from power in West Bengal. — SNS

Mamata wants Malda model for mahajot all the way

Malda Jan. 14.— Miss Mamata Banerjee wants to have the Malda model for mahajot [grand alliance] in all Assembly constituencies in the state. “Not only in Malda, under the leadership of Mr ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury, we also want the mahajot in all 294 seats,” Miss Mamata Banerjee told reporters here on Saturday on her way to attend a party programme at Kumarganj in South Dinajpur. “I met him (Malda MP, Mr ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury) in Kolkata. I must meet him if he returns to Malda by day after tomorrow,” she said. “Mamata may finalise a seat particularly English Bazaar for the Trinamul Congress here talking to Barkat da,” sources said. “I have got the nod of Barkat da (Ghani Khan) himself,” said Mr Krishnendu Narayan Chowdhury, district president Malda Trinamool, who contested in English Bazaar against the Congress in last the Assembly election. — SNS

All eyes on Ghani Khan published on 12-13 January 2006.

Fog in the way of arsenic free-water plant

Statesman News Service

KAHALA (Malda), Jan. 15. — Heavy fog today caused the chief minister to cancel the inauguration of an arsenic-free drinking water plant here. Coupled with that, the CM also had to cancel his plan to campaign for the ruling government in the forthcoming elections, at Kahala in Ratua that is about 45 km north of Malda town. Authorities said the chief minister’s helicopter failed to locate the venue, where the programme was supposed to be held owing to dense fog and so, returned without any notification. The inauguration of the arsenic-free drinking water project in the English Bazaar scheduled for tomorrow has also been cancelled now, officials informed. Mr Sailen Sarkar, the minister for food processing industries and horticulture, informed the assembled audience: “The CM’s helicopter tried to land twice, but, due to the foggy weather, we are sorry to inform that the minister had to return.” Even during a trial run yesterday, the pilot had failed to locate the venue that was actually a field surrounded by mango orchards. At last, the administrative officials shifted the venue to someplace seven kilometres from the earlier venue. The entire plan for the conference was overhauled to suit the security needs and convenience of the CM. But, today again, allegedly, the pilot failed to detect the venue. However, during the long speech to pacify the crowd that was growing impatient every minute after waiting for the CM to arrive for a long time, many locals alleged that the Mr Sarkar had got wind of the CM’s cancellation of the programme much before. But, Mr Sarkar allegedly did not disclose the news to the assembled audience. Nearly after a wait of an hour and a half, Mr Sarkar allegedly disclosed the information of the CM’s cancellation of the visit with apology and requested thousands of people to return home peacefully. The enthusiastic CPI-M workers were shocked on receiving the information. The point to be noted here is that in the run-up to the elections, in order to rival Union minister, Mr Priya Ranjan Das Munshi in his own parliamentary constituency, Mr Sarkar, also elected from Ratua, politically master-minded programme the whole drinking water project quickly. “Don’t think that the project would not be executed because the CM did not arrive. The water project will be completed within a three year’s time-frame”, Mr Sarkar said to the gathering. Laying the foundation stone for the arsenic-free drinking water project, the minister announced: “Rs 23 crore has been allotted for this drinking water project for the benefit of over 50,000 people residing in Ratua and the construction of the project will be initiated soon”. #

Pic. Collected

Now, CPM complains against dual voters

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Jan.13. — The Malda election officials today began an inquiry into the complaints against dual voters in the three blocks of the district, following instructions from the Election Commission observer, Mr D Singh.The CPI-M’s district secretary and the convener of the Left Front, Mr Jiban Moitra, lodged a complaint with the EC observer today against the existence of dual voters. In his complaint, Mr Moitra wrote: “We are apprehending existence of thousands of dual voters, who are exercising their voting rights both in Bengal and Jharkhand, while living in Kaliachak II, Ratua I and Manikchak blocks”. He also informed the observer to exercise extreme caution on the issue of “Form 7”, used for deletion of voters’ name from the electoral rolls. “We have found several electoral photo identity card holders at Gadia, an isolated Ganga island in the Manikchak block close to Jharkhand,” a senior district election official said. “There are many EPIC holders in the other two blocks as well, particularly the families who were displaced owing to erosion on the left bank of the Ganga,” the official added. “We are planning to contact Jharkhand government to cross-check the facts regarding people with dual voting rights in Jharkhand before coming to a decision,” a senior district administration official said. A few years ago, though the district election office took initiative to delete the names of dual voters during electoral roll revision, it was not executed properly, official sources informed.The EC observer today also visited the Habibpur block, a tribal dominated area close to Indo-Bangladesh border to check the electoral rolls, distribution of EPIC and rights of voters from Bangladesh who have settled in the block as Indian citizens.

EC takes stock of ration cards

Manas R Bannerjee in Malda

Jan.12. — The Election Commission observer for Malda district, Mr D Singh, visited the district food and supplies department office today and sought a detailed report about the system and procedure of issuing fresh ration cards. There has been complaints that people who have come here recently have got ration card made without checking electoral photo identity cards. The observer asked the district officials the procedure adopted to identify applicants as Indian citizens before issuing ration cards. The departmental officials assured him that they would submit their report in a day. Mr Singh today held a meeting with all block development officers and urged them to clarify the reasons for abnormally low ratio of voters to the total population of this district. According to the Malda district magistrate, the block development officers told the EC observer that a huge number of migrated workers in this district can not enroll their names because they work in various states during the electoral roll revision. On the other hand , the additional district magistrate, Mr BP Barat, said: “In many blocks, the birth rate is too high and the number of minor family members are abnormally higher than the number of genuine voters”. The number of minor population is higher than the number of people eligible for casting vote, Mr Barat added. After interacting with all the BDOs , Mr Singh suggested them to conduct a special campaign during the festivals such as Id and Durgapuja in such places where the percentage is low when the migrated labourers returned to home district for festival. Sources said that many migrated labourers come here before election and cast their votes by local arrangement and showing certificate of local authorities. It was also found from the English Bazaar block that some migrated workers have collected duplicate EPIC for their identification and other needs at their workplaces so that the other state officials can not identify them as Bangladeshi. The Malda district magistrate, Mr Abhijit Choudhuri, proposed a new system to enroll all migrated labourers issuing ‘form-VI’ to the migrated labourers who are working across the country through post office and requested the observer to inform the EC for its execution. “The post office will send their ‘form-VI’ to the district and on receiving the form filled in by the labourers, the district election department will enroll their names in the electoral rolls”, Mr Choudhuri said. The observer has also sought the list of areas where the EPICs have been distributed only to 70 to 80 percent voters. He also suggested them to launch a special derive in these areas where the EPIC is still not distributed to 20 to 30 percent of the voters. Mr D Singh today also visited the erosion-hit areas where the displaced people face problems in getting EPIC or to enroll their names in the voters’ list. After receiving the complaints from the people of booth No. 79 at erosion-hit Panchanandapur in Kaliachak II where voters’ number is 926. There were several complaints about problems in enrollment of displaced people after destruction of original land. The observer also visited the camp of displaced people to check out discrepancies in enrollment and problem in receiving EPIC. He also heard the problems of displaced people from Bengal who are at present living in char lands under the control of Jharkhand and do not have voting rights in Bengal. In 1999 and 2000, many people had voting rights in both the states. Malda administration deleted their names based on their present address in Jharkhand.

[ Statesman News Service ]

EC observer hears views on revision of rolls .

Published on 12 Jan 2006.

All eyes on Ghani Khan

MALDA, Jan.12. —Followers of the Congress veteran leader and the Malda MP, Mr ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury, in Malda are not bothered about the decision of the PCC on the issue of mahajot. But they are worried about the ultimate result of the call for a mahajot in this district. Mr Choudhury has the support of the Malda Congress. Mr Choudhury is not bothered about the decision of state leaders like Mr Pranab Mukherjee and others who are advocating against the grand alliance with the Trinamul because of its connection with the BJP and NDA. Though Congress workers are confused by comments in a television channel yesterday that disagree with the statement of the PCC chief Mr Pranab Mukherjee, they are happy that their leader will talk to Mrs Sonia Gandhi to inform her that “Mr Ghani Khan is being ignored by the present Congress leaders of the state who are formulating decisions of the party in Bengal.” The BJP and the Trinamul Congress in Malda have welcomed Mr Ghani Khan’s call for mahajot and have already disclosed their views to the Press about the proposed seat adjustment. Interestingly, the Trinamul supremo Miss Mamata Banerjee and other leaders of anti-Left organisations have been invited tonight to Burdwan House in Kolkata on the occasion of the marriage party of Mr Ghani Khan’s niece. According to Trinamul sources, Miss Mamata Banerjee has expressed her desire to meet Mr Ghani Khan Choudhury on the occasion to discuss the matter of a grand alliance in Malda and other districts. Sources said Mr Ghani Khan was offended when he was not offered a berth by Mr Pranab Mukherjee. He reportedly cited ill health to excuse himself from the Cabinet offer of a Governor’s post in another state. Interestingly, the former district president and the Congress MLA, Mrs Sabitri Mitra told reporters that Mahajot can be formed here unofficially following the decision of Barkat-da. The present district president Mrs Rubi Noor, MLA and sister of Mr Ghani Khan, told reporters over the phone: “We have to maintain a secular image. Our acceptability among the minorities is a critical factor in the Bengal elections. We have enough strength to take on the CPI-M alone in this district and there is no need for any alliance here. Perhaps dada (Mr Ghani Khan) spoke about an alliance for other districts and not for Malda. I must speak to him about this.” Sources said Mr Khan wants to increase the number of seats in Malda after the last election. -SNS

Mamata for a mahajot model

Statesman News Service

MALDA. Jan. 12. — Trinamul Congress president, Miss Mamata Banerjee, will reach here on Saturday to hold a meeting with the local party leaders on the issue of grand alliance of the opposition parties for the forthcoming Assembly elections and to chalk out strategy to “dislodge” the LF-backed English Bazaar municipal board in Malda. After the meeting, she will attend a public rally in south Dinajpur. Miss Banerjee has reportedly told the Malda Trinamul leaders that she would not address a public meeting here if they failed to form the English Bazaar Municipality board with the help of the Congress and the BJP, dislodging the present board. Miss Banerjee had instructed even the rebel Trinamul leader, Mr Dulal Sarkar, to take the responsibility to dislodge the present board and to form a new one. The objective of this instruction is to create a model and tell people that three anti-Left parties can form the board of Malda Zilla Parishad and the English Bazaar municipality under the leadership of the veteran Congress leader, Mr ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury. Mr Sarkar had cast his vote in favour of the LF-backed Independent councilor as chairman and the anti-left forces were out of power even though they had more than 13 councilors on their side out of total 25 member board. Following the instruction, the Trinamul councilors were united, and with the help of one BJP councilor and three Congress ones out of the four, had called a no confidence motion against the present board a few weeks ago. The present board chairman did not call the meeting within the stipulated time from the date of its submission of no confidence against him. According to the Municipality Act, the time of calling the meeting to prove majority of the present board will be over on 14 January. “We are ready to call the meeting of no confidence if they do not call meeting to prove their majority by 14 January. It would be finalised on Saturday after discussing the matter with Miss Mamata Banerjee”, said Mrs Prativa Singh, a Trinamul councilor.

EC observer hears views on revision of rolls

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Jan.11. — The Election Commission observer for Malda, Mr D Singh, met leaders from various political parties today and directed them to freely lodge complaints about discrepancy in the electoral roll. Mr Singh heard views of all political leaders on the electoral roll revision issue and sought opinion and ideas for conducting the electoral roll revision, timely distribution of voters’ photo identity cards and deletion of duplicate names and also the names of deceased persons from the list.The EC observer was surprised to find low percentage of enlisted voters in comparison to the population in Malda district. Political leaders, including those from the CPI-M, urged the EC observer to conduct a thorough inquiry before distributing “Form -7” for the deletion of voters’ names from the electoral rolls. Mr Singh also checked the documents relating to the electoral roll revision of the Gazole block, which is also the biggest block in the state. Tomorrow, Mr Singh is scheduled to meet the development officers from all the 15 blocks and assistant electoral registration officers. “The EC observer has also expressed a wish to visit the areas close to the Indo-Bangladesh border,” informed an district electoral official. Till 16 January, the EC observer will visit different areas in the Malda district to review the electoral roll revision process. The Trinamul Congress brought to the notice of EC observer some government orders in recent past for the completion of the developmental works pending for last five years. Mr Singh told the Trinamul leaders: “Other observers, who will visit Malda latter will look into this subject. This matter is not related to the electoral roll revision and therefore, I can not comment on it”.

All for the book worms

MALDA,(India) Jan. 9. — The 17th Malda book fair ended with a colourful cultural programme at Rabindra Avenue today. The organisers claimed that the fair was a success as it fulfilled the social, cultural and most significantly, commercial objectives of the book publishers. Overall 140 publishers participated in the Malda book fair and its financial transaction record was better then the previous year’s record. Besides, numerous book stalls, many commercial, armature and little magazines stalls were set to lure the book-lovers. The arts and crafts presented by “Fusion” at the Malda book-fair, was especially appreciated by majority of visitors. For the first time, the book-fair committee provided career guidance to the local aspirants. A kindergarten school offered computer literacy via the Internet. A local cable network group for broadband system offered free Internet services within the fair premises to the people.The book fair committee said that response this year was very good.“This year, we arranged a separate section for English publications and got nine such publishers,” Mr Das added. Visitors were also pleased with the arrangements and the management. “It’s a very good fair. It seems that the organisers have planned the fair very nice way. The management is impeccable,” said Mr Justin Carroll, a citizen of Ireland said. — SNS

Malda Book Fair sees myriad colours

MALDA. Jan. 3. — The 17th Malda Book Fair was inaugurated today by the eminent writer, Mr Samaresh Majumdar, at Malda College ground. The programme was attended by administrative officials, local intellectuals, educationist, political leaders including the Malda MP, Mr ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury and the state minister Mr Sailen Sarkar. Over 140 stalls have been set up for the seven-day long book fair. Various government departments have also displayed their plans and programme here. The committee has also allowed a few other stalls in the fair. Some local organisation, writers and poets will publish their special edition in the fair. Inaugurating with classical music programme there are several cultural programmes for the remaining six days , the organisers claimed. — SNS

MALDA, Jan. 4. — The second day of 17th Malda Book Fair was kicked off with a debate on the relationship between agriculture and industry for the homogeneous development of the country at the Tridib Gupta Mancha today. In memory of the local writer and poet, Late Tridib Gupta, the book fare committee allowed the launch of his unpublished write-up “Sankalito Tridib Gupta” today, along with an array of cultural programmes. On the other hand, the Malda book fair also witnessed book lovers who assembled to buy books and had a merry time in the fair premises. Even the police department installed a counter for counselling the unemployed and provided them career guidance. The district magistrate, Mr Abhijit Choudhuri, urged the people to join this counselling programme, which was being convened for their well-being and benefit. Hoping to earn an extra buck, many people already running their small business also flocked the counselling session. But the most interesting thing was the presence of a group of some 20 coffee hawkers, who have come all the way from South Bengal to sell coffee. Nitai Mallick (42), a coffee hawker has come from Gopal Nagar in Bongaon. He has been coming to the fair since four years. #

From Left : Mr. Sailen Sarkar , minister for food processing industry and horticulture, Mr. Goutam Chakraborty , Chief of Malda district self government body and Bengali writer Mr. Samaresh Majumdar. Pic. Namen Dutta.

Ghani harps on Mahajot

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Jan. 9. — The Malda Congress is a divided house on the grand alliance of the opposition parties proposed by Trinamul chief Miss Mamta Banerjee to defeat the left combination ruling the state for more than two decades. Pradesh Congress Committee has decided not to go with the Trinamul and the BJP in the coming Assembly election. But the veteran Congress leader and the Malda MP Mr ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury is advocating for the grand alliance. “Come what may, we shall fight the Left Front united in this district,” Mr Ghani Khan Choudhury reiterated. The Congress decided on Saturday in Kolkata that it would not align or go for a seat-sharing with Trinamul or BJP in the coming Assembly election. Mrs Rubi Noor an MLA from Sujapur and sister of Mr Ghani Khan was present in the yesterday’s PCC meeting and was against any alliance in which the BJP is present. “We have to maintain a secular image. Our acceptability among the minorities is a critical factor in Bengal election. We have enough strength to take on the CPI-M alone in this district and there is no need for any alliance here. Perhaps dada (Mr Ghnai Khan) spoke about an alliance for other districts and not for Malda. I must speak to him about this,” Mrs Noor informed.While the district Trinamul welcomed Mr Ghani Khan’s call for unity of opposition parties. Congress sources said: “We would not offer the English Bazaar seat to the Trinamul district president, Mr KN Chowdhury who had fought the 2001 Assembly election. Mr KN Chowdhury had contested for the English Bazaar Assembly seat and it was won by the CPI-M candidate. But today, another Congress MLA and former district president, Mrs Sabitri Mitra told reporters: “Barkat-da’s (Mr Ghnai Khan) call for an alliance is judicious.There are many constituency where the Congress is weak and a seat adjustment is possible like in Gazole and Habibpur Assembly constituencies,” he said.The Congress had bagged 5 out of 11 Assembly seats in the district in the last election.

Students shine at state sports meet

Statesman News Service
MALDA (India) Jan. 8. – Six students from Malda have bagged nine awards at the state level school sports meet held at Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Salt Lake last week. Trained by Mr. Pulak Jha of Nagharia School the boys and girls excelled in various events. Mr. Jha had trained many students earlier also. This time, three out of six students, secured first position in the state level meet. Four, which are from the Nagharia Higher Secondary School in the English Bazaar block.
Students of Mothabari and Kalindri higher secondary schools also took part in the state sports meet. Below 14 years age group, Sipu Mandal, stood first in 600-metre race and secured second prize in high jump event. Sintu Ghosh, below 17-years age groups, was declared first in Javelin throw and third in 800-metre race. Mini Khatun, under 17 group, stood second in discus throwing while Golam Kibria, under the 19 year-old, was first in shot-put and second in discus throwing events. Utpal Mandal and Ratan Mandal got second and third position in Javelin throw respectively. All of them belong to poor family in rural Bengal. #

Pic . Collected

CPI wants one seat in Malda

Statesman News Service
MALDA. Jan.8. – After RSP, the CPI has demanded one seat for its candidate out of eleven Assembly constituencies in the Malda district.

Yesterday, the district secretary of the Malda CPI brought a petition to this effect before Mr. Jiban Moitra, the district left front convener and district CPIM secretary.

The photocopy of the petition was sent to the Left Front chairman, Mr. Biman Bose and also to the state committee of the CPI.

The CPI district secretary, Mr. Tarun Das, informed that the CPI candidates used to contest election before 1978 and also won assembly seats in the Malda district. But, the district left front did not consider the demand for an assembly seat that was tabled before the last assembly election.

" The CPIM does not have enough strength to win 10 seats alone, out of eleven, except in Gazole ", Mr. Tarun Das further added.

" Without the help and support from allies of the L F in Malda it would be difficult for the CPIM to retain even the present assembly seats including the one in English Bazaar" Mr. Das claimed.

The Malda RSP is more adamant than CPI while bargaining an assembly seat in Malda district.

The RSP leaders in Malda at its last state conference had adopted a resolution to demand assembly seats in this district during assembly elections. The district leaders have sent reminders to the concerned committees of the front regarding this.

In the last panchayat election, the CPIM district secretary, Mr. Jiban Moitra, had criticised the role of the Malda RSP for anti left activities when the CPIM candidates in Zilla Parishad election were defeated and the Trinamul and BJP led by the Congress had dislodged CPIM from power in Malda Zilla Parishad.

The RSP leadership fielded their candidates against the CPIM in some Zilla Parishad seats in last panchayat election, when the district CPIM could not pacify the RSP leaders on of the issue of rights over the ZP seat selection according to their choice.

Interestingly, the CPIM had allotted seats to the Socialist Party as the member of the Front. RSP took it seriously and decided to take revenge.

Similarly, the CPIM has lost power in Old Malda panchayat samiti owing to its withdrawal of support of a CPI member and ultimately, the congress formed its board recently.

On the other hand, the socialist party had earlier placed their demand for one seat in Malda where the CPIM has no chance to win against the congress candidate.

In Malda, only the Forward Bloc as a constituent of the Left Front has been allocated one Assembly seat Harishchandrapur to contest from the assembly constituencies out of eleven seats in this district. #

Measuring Malda airport begins

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Jan. 6. — The Malda land acquisition department has started measurement of airport land in order to find out the areas grabbed and encroached by the others, including the railway department, an official said today. The airport authorities had alleged that many lands of the Malda airstrip, especially on the eastern side, have been encroached, leaving a question mark to the materialisation of the project. It may be noted that an expert team, after visiting the project site twice, had pointed out many problems regarding the implementation of the project and told the district authorities that they needed more lands for the purpose. It was, in fact, revealed that the fate of the project was uncertain. Finally, in order to rerun the proposed project, the Malda district magistrate had tried desperately to convince the authorities that the present position of the Malda airstrip was in good condition for landing of air taxis there. “With a minimum cost, the present set can be updated for landing of aircrafts”, the DM had told the airport authorities. The airport authorities told the district authorities that they were planning to revive the project and that at least ATR 42 aircraft can easily land here. Since the last three days, the surveyors of the district land acquisition department and the airport authorities have been measuring the areas and they would also measure the railway part based on the allegation lodged by the airport authorities. After completion of the survey, the district administration would prepare a blueprint for another report for the consideration of the government to expedite the proposed project plan. The district administration has already proposed the authorities to invite the private organisation for landing air taxis in Malda airstrip. The district authorities have also decided to develop it related infrastructure like connecting road and others facilities. #

Allegations stall airport land survey
Statesman News Service

MALDA, Jan. 20. — A joint survey for measuring the lands under the Malda airports authority has been stalled owing to an allegation of encroachment on the airport lands by the Indian railways, officials said today. Authorities said that few days ago, the survey started and the measurement on the three sides of the airport area was already completed. But, during the survey, it was discovered that the railway line passed through the eastern part of the airport. Allegedly, the Malda railway authorities were unaware about any legal papers of the encroached land and the survey work was, hence, suspended temporarily. On the issue of the revival of the survey on the airport land, the Malda administration was unhappy with the local in-charge of the Malda airport seeking papers of land records from the railway side. “Mr SK Chanda does not have any records of land of the existing lands and is very reluctant to collect it from his departmental head quarters”, said an officials. On the other hand, the Malda railway officials have collected the papers of the disputed lands and also its past records from the headquarters. Land acquisition officials said that the land was acquired for Malda airport five decades ago and a part of the land was transferred to the railway department. They further added that they have submitted all documents and papers to the local airport authorities, but, they are not satisfied with it as they have no records from their end. The district officials however admitted that a small part of the land has been encroached and it would effect the aircraft landing at the present ground.

Ghani for Mahajot

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Jan. 6. — While all anti-Left political leaders in Malda are looking forward towards the outcome of the meeting on the proposed grand alliance called by the PCC tomorrow, veteran Congress leader, Mr ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury, today decided to send his sister Mrs Rubi Noor to convey his views to the PCC on the issue of ‘Mahajot”, which he had called five years ago, the Malda Congress leaders said today. The Congress leaders said their leader, Mr ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury would abstain from the meeting tomorrow in Kolkata, but, he has expressed his view in favour of the ‘grand alliance’ using his own formula.“Barkat-da’s theory is to form an alliance through seat adjustment scientifically, based on an individual organisation of the anti-Left parties. The Congress can easily make the seat adjustment with the Trinamul in the state. But one thing important is that the Trinamul Congress will have to sacrifice the seat adjustment. The proposed candidates for Congress will select seats in the state, as per their winning probabilities and leave the rest of the seats for the Trinamul Congress. The Trinamul Congress will distribute ticket to its candidates and share with the BJP. But, the Congress will never look into their matter”, a senior Congress leader in Malda said. “In the last assembly election, Mr Ghani Khan Choudhury had proposed the same plan to targeting at least 75 seats for the Congress, but, the plan is yet to be materialised”, the Congress leader added. On the other hand, the Malda Trinamul leaders have welcomed yesterday’s Ghani Khan’s call for unity and see in it a chance for forging alliance among the anti-Left parties. “We have always advocated for the alliance of the non-left parties and Ghani Khan yesterday hinted for the same”, said Mr KN Choudhury, the district Trinamul president.“Mamatadi is my leader, but, I see Barkat-da as the father of my political life”, Mr Choudhury said. It may be noted that Miss Mamata Banerjee is trying hard to establish the Malda model for grand alliance, where the Congress, the Trinamul and the BJP have formed Malda Zilla Paris to form the grand alliance in the state for the assembly election. #

Pic . Pralependu Sanyal

Ghani urges unity among Congress workers

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Jan. 5. — Veteran Congress leader and Malda MP, Mr ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury, today criticised the state administration, terming them as “anti-public”.Addressing a law-violation programme organised by the Malda Congress, Mr Choudhury pointed out the death report of some Malda people owing to starvation. Mr Choudhury said: “Even if a single person is found dead owing to starvation, the administration will be answerable.”Mr Choudhury repeatedly said: “Many Malda people have died owing to starvation. If this situation remains unchanged, we will soon launch an agitation before the district magistrate office.”Mr Choudhury also attacked the police department for their highhandedness and said: “The public will lose respect for the police department, if they do not behave well with the people.”The agitated Malda MP disclosed: “The ruling parties, be it Congress or CPI-M, do not care for the welfare of the people.” Only ‘democracy’ can save them and we have to fight for democracy,” he added.Stressing on the need to be united and urging them to shirk internal squabbling, Mr ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury, said: “If you are not united it will be difficult to fight for your rights and I will not be able to save you from the attacks of the ruling party’s malicious policies.” The MP has also urged the present Congress workers to adopt a policy of unity and requested them to formulate a policy to eradicate poverty and unemployment in the district. #

Mahananda dispute resolved

Manas R Bannerjee in Narayanpur

Jan. 3. — The dispute on the issue of borderline along the Mahananda river between India and Bangladesh has been resolved after the interference of the Joint River Commission and through the recent joint survey of the lands on either side of the river, the DG, BSF, Mr RS Mooshahari claimed today, after visiting the border outposts where a fierce gun battle between BSF and BDR personnel took place in August last year. The DG said that during the joint survey of both the countries, the demarcation has been finalised along the disputed borderline, though the pillars are yet to be erected. “I have seen many flags being erected along the border demarcating fresh borderline”, the DG said. He also claimed that construction of barbed wire fencing has been completed in many places and that border road condition is also good enough for border patrolling and I think that the border is properly managed and infiltration is successfully checked here. Speaking to the reporters, he said: “It is true that Indian lands have come up on Bangladesh side owing to the change of the river course of the Mahananda but similarly some areas of Bangladesh have also come up on the Indian side. It does not matter and we have to adjust with the naturally created boundary in this area in order to settle the dispute”. Mr Mooshahari also said: “Fencing is imperative to check infiltration. If it is completed along the entire stretch the havoc figure of infiltration will be coming down to a “reasonable” number. We have targeted to complete the barbed wire fencing by 2006 in the entire region in our country”. He repeatedly said that constructing the fence was the only way to check militants who are crossing over the border from Bangladesh side. Out of 143 km long Indo-Bangla border, there is no fencing along the 60 km borderline in this district. “Series of blasts in Bangladesh have proved that there were militants’ camps in Bangladesh, which had tabled several times earlier at a meting with the Bangladesh border guard officials. Bangladesh government is now taking action against them”, he informed. “We always prevent militants and trained fundamentalists from entering into Indian territory from Bangladesh side”, he claimed. “We should intercept Bangladeshi militants along border and all border outposts have been put on alert”, the DG said. The DG was along with the Union home minister in his northeast and North Bengal visit and came to visit Malda on Tuesday directly from Jalpaiguri. He would also visit the Murshidabad areas tomorrow, officials said. The DG addressed the conference of the BSF officials at Malda sector headquarter tonight. This is for the first time that the DG has visited the borderline in Malda. #

[ Statesman News Service ]

EPIC loopholes scanned

Statesman News Service

MALDA,(India) Jan. 2. — Irregularities in the distribution of electoral photo identify cards (EPIC) in certain gram panchayat areas in the Malda district still pursue, and the concerned officials have been held responsible, after an enquiry was conducted by the district election authorities, following instructions from the Election Commission, a senior officer informed today.Officials said that the district magistrate has called a meeting on Tuesday, with the 15 electoral registration officers to review the situation and look into electoral roll revision, including the present set up of the polling stations. District election officials have been directed to submit report on party affiliated club and to prepare a list of party offices very close to the selected polling stations. “All political leaders have been informed about the present guidelines slated by the Election Commission regarding the location of party offices and party affiliated clubs and rural libraries”, a senior officer said. “There are over 25 places in the Malda district where the commission may object in setting up of the polling stations”, sources informed. The district electoral registration officials have been instructed to submit a report after the deletion of the names of the dead persons, deletion of the names of duplicate persons and claims and objections of applicants for the electoral roles. The report would also contain present position and location of the polling stations categorically, so that the EC can take steps for the proper development of its infrastructure. The reports have to be submitted by the officials to the EC by 5 January, sources informed. It has been directed by the EC, that all electoral registration officials would conduct door-to-door sample checking to confirm that there are no more loop-holes in the distribution system. The officials have also been asked to give all reports starting from the time of the inception of the EPIC till the present times. After the detection of the irregularities in EPIC distribution came to light, it was revealed that the system followed for the distribution of the EPIC through the gram panchayat was incorrect.

EPIC probe begins (published on 28-29 Decemebr 2005)

Pic collected from Yahoo site

Malda Trinamul calls requisition meeting

Statesman News Service

MALDA,(India) Jan. 2. — The Malda Trinamul Congress leaders are planning to call a requisition meeting at the English Bazaar municipality, barely two weeks after calling a no-confidence motion against the present CPI-M-backed Independent chairman. The Trinamul Congress district president, Mr KN Choudhury, said today that all 13 anti-Left councillors of the EBM are ready to dislodge the present chairman of the civic body, Mr Nihar Ranjan Ghosh from power. “If the chairman does not call the meeting to prove his majority within the stipulated time from the date of no confidence motion called, we will call a requisition meeting soon”, Mr KN Choudhury said. Following the directions from the district Trinamul leaders, its factional group leader is lined-up in the race to prove that they can easily dislodge the present chairman backed by the LF before the assembly elections. Though it was learnt that the present chairman would call the meeting on 7 January, sources today informed that the chairman may also not call the meeting on time in order to delay the effect of a no-confidence motion move based on the Municipality Act. Party sources said: “Owing to internal squabbling with his colleagues, the chairman is not interested calling the meeting at the moment. He is consulting his close associates and some senior CPI-M party leaders to take judicious steps”.