BDR objection stalls anti-erosion work

Manas R Banerjee in Malda

March 30. — Following objections raised by BDR authorities, the anti-erosion work along the riverbank in Rwishipur in Malda has been stalled as per instructions received from the external affairs department today, officials said. In order to maintain peace along the Indo-Bangla border, BSF officials today decided to halt the work being carried out by irrigation officials on the left bank of the Mahananda. The BSF and the BDR had engaged in heavy open-fire in August last year along the Indo-Bangladesh border over the issue of the anti-erosion work carried out in the region. The situation along the Indo-Bangladesh border again turned tense a few days ago, when three Indian labourers died in the BDR’s firing at Khalsibari in Cooch Behar. “Though the Bangladeshi official had consented to our carrying out the pending anti-erosion work along the river, they are now objecting to it and have hoisted a red flag to demonstrate this,” a senior BSF official said. According to the BSF official, the Bangladeshi border guards also urged the Indian border guards to wait for final “make over and take over” of the lands by both the countries, when the report of the recent joint border survey will be declared. The official further added that after a heavy firing between the two countries ensued, particularly at the Muchia- Adampur border outpost on the Indian side and Gillabari and Poladanga areas on the Bangladeshi side, the top rank officials decided to conduct a joint survey of the borderline.

Smuggler shot

MALDA, March 30. – A Bangladeshi smuggler was shot dead in BSF firing in Malda’s Habibpur police station area last night when a group of smugglers had been trying to transport sugar along the border, the Malda SP said. The BSF jawans opened fire in two places last night in the same police station area, police said. — SNS

Cong annoyed over Ratua candidate

Statesman News Service

MALDA, March 29. — The Congress leaders are apprehending “bitter” results after the declaration of the name of its candidate for Ratua constituency in Malda. They also feared another sabotage by Congress workers during election. The Congress, though, is determined to defeat Mr Sailen Sarkar, the CPI-M candidate from Ratua and a state minister. The Congress candidate, Mr Asit Bose, as proposed by the Union minister Mr Priya Ranjan Das Munshi, was humiliated yesterday when he went to visit the site where more than 130 huts were gutted and the people rendered homeless in Ratua constituency. On the other hand, one of the close contenders for Congress ticket, Mr Samar Roy, who had once been an MLA of the Ratua constituency, has expressed his unhappiness and decided to nominate another candidate there managing a ticket from the other Opposition parties. It was also learnt that an Independent candiate would be fielded by the anti-group of Mr Das Munshi in Ratua constituency. The Ratua people, who wanted a local candidate, have also expressed their unhappiness over the decision and are waiting for the visit of Congress leader, Mr Priya Ranjan Das Munshi to their constituency. “It is very tough to defeat Mr Sailen Sarkar now,” said a local Congress leader, Mr Soumitra Roy, who is also an office-bearer of the Congress-led Malda Zilla Parishad. “If Mr Samar Mukherjee contests here, there is no chance of CPI-M’s candidate,” Mr Roy told earlier. It may be recalled that when the Congress leaders Mr ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury and the Union minister Mr Pranab Mukherjee took decision to nominate Mr Mukherjee, another Congress stalwart, Mr Das Munshi, had opposed the move and recommended Mr Bose’s name.

Demand for status of political prisoners

Statesman News Service

MALDA, March 30. — Members of the Bandi Mukti Committee and Association for Protection of Democratic Rights have alleged that the jail authorities are violating the rights of political prisoners in the state by demanding information about all imprisoned fellow activists from them in various jails, were arrested on charges of “waging war against the state” , based on the Correctional Services Act 2000.

While political leaders such as Mr Narayan Biswas, former minister of state and the Behrampore MP, Mr Adhir Choudhury, got all the privileges in the jail custody arranging feast or taking “bhai phota”, prisoners like Animesh Chakraborty or Sumit Sarkar are not allowed to meet their relatives in private,” Mr Amitdyuti Kumar of Bandi Mukti Committee, told reporters at a press conference here today.They met the Maoist leader, Mr Animesh Chakraborty, in Malda jail today who has been keeping fast since 20 March demanding his recognition as a political prisoner. Similarly, the Central team of the BMC would meet Sumit Sarkar in West Midnapore Central Jail tomorrow.“Far from meeting his demand, Animesh was not allowed to meet his visitors without the presence of DIB personnelin Malda Jail,” said Mr Kumar.Mr Kumar also claimed that without informing the relatives, the state had brought Animesh Chakraborty to Malda Jail from West Midnapore Central Jail when he was on a hunger-strike and lastly he fell ill and the Malda Jail authorities had to admit him to the Malda District Hospital for treatment. Mr Sukhendu Bikash Bhattacharya of National Alliance for Peoples’ Movement (NAPM) claimed that the jail authority had not informed the relatives of Animesh of his health condition; rather they are trying to feed him forcefully which is totally illegal.“Why doesn’t the government sit with them for discussions? asked Mr Bhattacharya. Mr Chhoton Das, secretary of BMC, said that the jail authorities have forwarded the application for the demand of political prisoners’ status to the Malda Court and they have also applied to the chief judicial magistrate to have the political prisoners’ status. Animesh was arrested on 20 March last year from Siliguri . He had ten charges pending against him. Most of the cases are regarding the anti-state activities which themselves apprise for his political prisoner status, wife of Animesh Chakraborty, Mrs Karabi Tarafdar said.

Malda sabhadhipati's name scrapped

Statesman News Service

MALDA, March 29. — The Malda district administration has finally decided to delete the name of the sabhadhipati of Malda zilla parishad, Mr Goutam Chakraborty, from the electoral rolls after a thorough investigation into the allegations against him, a senior official said today. The sabhadhipati was shown as a resident of Milky village in the voters’ list, but election officials found that the information was incorrect. Yesterday, the sub-divisional officer conducted a hearing on this issue for the second time, on the basis of a complaint lodged by a group of five CPI-M workers. Mr Chakraborty, who did not turn up for the first hearing, had to explain his permanent and temporary residence yesterday to prove himself a resident of Milky village in English Bazaar block, on the basis of papers submitted to the SDO after the complaint was lodged. Although Mr Chakraborty tried to defend himself with the help of several arguments, he failed to convince the SDO. “An Indian citizen does have the right to enlist his name, being an ordinary resident of a particular place, if he resides there for at least six months in a year or 50 per cent of 365 days. But Mr Chakraborty failed on this count,” a senior official from the Malda administration said. The CPI-M leaders had alleged that Mr Chakraborty had enlisted his name in the voters’ list of Milky village, though he was the permanent resident of English Bazaar town, simply to contest in the panchayat election as a zilla parishad member. The CPI-M leaders said they might demand his resignation from his present post in the zilla parishad.

Water scarcity , 100 houses gutted in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, March 29. — More than 100 houses were gutted in a devastating fire that broke out at Khaskol village in Malda’s English Bazaar PS area today, rendering hundreds of villagers homeless, informed a senior officer. It is for the second time that a catastrophe has befallen upon the poor villagers, the first time being when a massive erosion on the left bank of the Ganges took place a few years ago, the officer informed. “The entire make-shift arrangements were destroyed, when the fire broke-out accidentally during the afternoon today,” said Mr Prasanna Mondal, the sub-divisional officer, on visiting the site. He said that the villagers somehow managed to rescue some of their belongings and that no casualties has been reported as yet. The officer said that some locals, who were organising a religious programme nearby have come forward to help and have offered the villagers “khichdi’”as mid-day meal. Reportedly, the block development officer has been instructed to make a list of the victims affected by the fire for providing them immediate relief. At the same time, the Malda SDO informed that the police have been instructed to put up a relief camp and make arrangements for lighting during the night. Reportedly, the district magistrate received the information of the fire breakout, during a video conferencing attended by the Malda SP, the DM’s colleagues and the DM himself . The fire brigade was immediately instructed to reach the spot. The fire reportedly caught a few huts surrounded by mango orchards and bamboo bush first and spread on to the other huts owing to a heavy breeze. Officers informed that in the last few days, several fire incidents were recorded in the district that has claimed four lives till date. #

Water scarcity in English Bazaar

MALDA, March 29. — The summer has just arrived, but the residents of English Bazaar Municipality have already started complaining of drinking water shortage. Reportedly, residents of ward No. 22 under the leadership of the Opposition councillors today staged a dharna in EBM demanding a proper pipeline for drinking-water supply. It was learnt that the chairman of the board had to finally intervene and a meeting was convened to sort out a solution. The residents of Kaltapara and Gayeshpur have alleged that the supply of drinking water has been insufficient as well as intermittent since the last few days. The residents suggest that the limited water carrying capacity of the water pipelines may be the root of the problem, but allegedly the concerned board is reluctant to look into the matter because of an altercation with the ruling councillors. The residents also informed that small pump sets for storing the supply water provided by the municipality was not functioning due to the meagre supply of water presently. On the other hand, it was also learnt that the residents of areas where the civic body could not supply water pipeline are facing problems in lifting water from the ground via mini pump sets. They said that the underground water level has reduced sharply due to the hot weather. — SNS

MZP sabhadhipati appears for hearing

MALDA, March 28. — Mr Goutam Chakraborty, the Congress sabhadhipati, who was declared “not found” by officials during their door-to-door visit for electoral roll revision, today appeared for a hearing called by the sub-divisional officer on this issue. It may be recalled that five CPI-M workers had lodged a complaint with the Malda election department against Mr Goutam Chakraborty, demanding the deletion of his name from the electoral roll, as his name was allegedly enlisted resident as a tenant of Milky, a village in the English Bazaar block, few years back to contest in Malda Zilla Parishad. As such, sources informed that the CPI-M district leaders had today decided to forward the matter to the Election Commission demanding the deletion of Mr Chakraborty’s name.The CPI-M source said: “If the EC decides to delete Mr Goutam Chakraborty’s name, the CPI-M members will demand the resignation of the Congress sabahdhipati from his post.”Reportedly, a few days ago, the SDO had called a hearing to discuss the issue of Mr Chakraborty’s absence from his residence during the electoral roll revision, in which Mr Chakraborty was not present.On the basis of the complaint lodged by the CPI-M workers, the SDO today cross-questioned the Congress sabhadhipati, Mr Goutam Chakraborty on the issue. The report would be placed before the district magistrate for consideration. The SDO reportedly posed several questions to the Congress sabhadhipati on the issue of not possessing a ration card at the place of his residence (a question raised by a CPI-M member) and also about not possessing a landline phone at his residence at Milky in English Bazaar.The Congress sabhadhipati is said to have replied that he did not have a ration card where he resided according to the electoral roll requirements, as being above the poverty line, he did not buy any kerosene or sugar, but as a citizen of India, possessed the PAN card and other necessary documents. Mr Goutam Chakraborty is also said to have agreed that he does not possess a landline phone at Milky, where he resides for working and used his mobile for emergency purposes. At the same time, he admitted using a landline phone registered in his name at his brother’s residence in the English Bazaar town. The SDO also enquired the Congress sabhadhipati about the absence of his residential address from the logbook of his vehicles and about his family residing in the Malda town without him. Interestingly, when asked how is it possible to include his name in the electoral roll, the Congress sabhadhipati reportedly quipped: “Our Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, is the voter of Assam, but he resides in New Delhi.” — SNS

Ghani faces Congress ire

Statesman News Service

MALDA, March 27. — Since the last few days, the veteran Congress leader, Mr ABA Ghani Khan Chowdhury, has been facing the ire of the Congress workers over the issue of nomination of candidates. But, the veteran Congress leader managed to curb the growing agitation for the time being by promising to “look into the matter” and plan out an “immediate solution”.Reportedly, a group of Congress workers arrived to stage a dharna at the residence of Mr Ghani Khan Chowdhury yesterday on behalf of Mr Jalil Sheikh, a proposed candidate for the Manikchak Assembly segment demanding a Congress ticket. Two days back, a group of Congress workers belonging to the camp of Mr Ram Prabesh Mandal, a former Congress MLA from Manikchak, staged a dharna demanding a Congress ticket for him.It may be recalled that the Malda Congress had to send the names of two election contenders to New Delhi for finalisation. The names of the contenders were to be decided by Mr Ghani Khan Chowdhury, who wanted a Hindu candidate for Manikchak constituency to satisfy the demand of a densely populated “Chnai Mandal” community. But, the senior Congress leaders now fear another altercation over the issue of candidate nomination in the Old Malda Assembly segment because the Malda Congress has already declared Mr Arjun Haldar as their candidate for Old Malda. The former Congress MLA from Old Malda, Mr Phani Roy’s name was sent to New Delhi for the English Bazaar segment, but it was decided yesterday that Mr Phani Roy will not be contest from English Bazaar and may be nominated for Old Malda Assembly segment.The decision was taken when the rebel Trinamul Congress district president, Mr Krishnendu Chowdhury submitted a letter to Mr Ghani Khan Chowdhury yesterday, expressing his desire to join the Congress and further demanding a ticket.Mr Ghani Khan Chowdhury has given the green signal to Mr Krishnendu Chowdhury’s nomination in the English Bazaar. Reportedly, Mr Phani Roy was also present at the MP’s residence for his confirmation. “Every thing will be finalised tonight,” divulged a senior leader of the Malda Congress.

CPM strong in English Bazaar

Statesman News Service

MALDA, March 27. — Political observers here have opined that it may prove difficult for the Opposition councillors of the English Bazaar Municipality to dislodge the CPI-M-backed Independent chairman, owing to the lack of unity among the Opposition comprising the BJP, Trinamul Congress and the Congress after an official announcement of Trinamul Congress’s district president and former chairman of the civic body, Mr Krishnendu Chowdhury, joining the Congress. Reportedly, the Opposition councillors decided to call a no-confidence motion on 3 April against the chairman following a court verdict, but now remain divided over the issue of Trinamul Congress leader Mr Krishnendu Chowdhury’s decision to join the Congress and also to contest from the English Bazaar Assembly seat. Yesterday, the Congress MP, Mr ABA Ghani Khan Chowdhury, finally announced that Mr Krishnendu Chowdhury has joined the Congress. The High Court had issued an order recently to call a requisition meeting on the issue of no-confidence motion against the present chairman, Mr Nihar Ranjan Ghosh and announced that the terms agreed upon in the meeting would not be executed with out further order of the court. The court also stated that the district magistrate or his representative would forward the result of the requisition meeting to the court and only then the court would finally decide on the matter. Political observers said that though 14 of the 25-member board were united, but eight of its members belonging to the Trinamul Congress now are divided on the issue of Mr Krishnendu Chowdhury’s joining the Congress. Interestingly, another Trinamul Congress leader, Mr Dulal Sarkar, who is also the councillor of the English Bazaar Municipality is trying his best to beat Mr Krishnendu Chowdhury. Mr Sarkar, who is now very close to Miss Mamata Banerjee’s camp, had set up a new Trinamul Congress’s office for execution of party work as the district president of the Trinamul Youth Congress. Mr Sarkar was offered a Trinamul Congress ticket to contest in Old Malda, but now he is planning to contest from the English Bazaar to beat Mr Krishnendu Chowdhury. On the other hand, one BJP member out of the 14 Opposition councillors is still undecided over the right course of action and as per reports, the BJP member is planning to nominate a BJP candidate in the English Bazaar to beat Mr Krishnendu Chowdhury, who is almost now finalised by the Congress for contesting as the Congress candidate here. One of the four Congress councillors, Mr Biswanath Guho, is also unhappy with the district Congress leader’s decision to offer a ticket to Mr Chowdhury.

Football coaching for slum kids

MALDA, March 27. — An under-13 football coaching camp for nearly 50 kids hailing from the rural slums has been organised by the Malda Shibaji Sangha in co-operation with the Malda District Sports Association at Regent Park Football Ground. The credit for organising the football camp for slum children goes to social worker, Mr Ram Prasad Ghosh, a member of the Shibaji Sangha, who took the initiative for organising such a camp. Mr Ram Prasad Ghosh believes engaging young players hailing from families with poor economical resources which will prevent them from dropping out from schools and at the same time, will prevent them from getting engaged in anti-social activities. The district secretary of the Malda sports association, Mr Subhashis Sarkar, met the boys and inspired them to continue practicing football setting national level football player, Baichung Bhutia as an example for inspiration. The participants were able to name many famous Indian cricketers as well. The other speakers at the camp included the MLAs Mr Samar Roy, English Bazaar; Mr Subhendu Chowdhury, Old Malda; chairman and vice- chairman of English Bazaar municipality, Mr NR Ghosh and Mrs Sutapa Das Ghosh as well a host of other dignitaries. — SNS

CPM worker killed in Malda

MALDA, March 26. — Alem Sheikh 40, a CPI-M worker was killed in a political clash between the Congress and the CPI-M workers at Kasimpara village under Baishnabnagar police station, Malda SP said today. Trouble broke out last night when a group of Congress workers under the leadership of Md Panchu Sheikh attacked the house of another CPI-M worker Md Jalal Sheikh hurling bombs and damaging some houses, police said. “Alem died on the spot when a bomb went off before him. He was watching the situation during attack,” a senior police officer said. “Three persons were arrested, and the raid is being continued. There is no report of other injured persons,” Mr. D K Mondal, the Malda SP, said. “There was an internal fictions between the two groups of villagers politically,” the Malda S P said. CPIM party leaders said that this was first time the local people had organized a rally for the CPIM at the village in Bedrabad gram panchayat area on 24 March in favour of the CPIM’s contesting candidate, Mr Biswanath Ghosh, who is contesting against Mr. AH Khan Choudhury, brother of Mr. A B A Ghani Khan Choudhury, the Malda M P. The people of the entire village were under the control of the Congress leaders, particularly under the leadership of Md. Panchu Sheikh, a local panchayat member of Congress and the leader of a group of local porters. Md. Jalal took initiative to organize a meeting for the CPIM candidate and delivered a speech against the Congress on 24 March. — SNS

BJP plans to nominate EB candidate

Statesman News Service

MALDA, March 26. — Malda BJP leaders are planning to nominate its candidate in English Bazaar after it has come to light that the proposed alliance candidate for the Trinamul Congress and the BJP, Mr. Krishnendu Chowdhury has joined the Congress here. The district BJP secretariat body has already sent a proposal to its state leadership a few days ago watching the political development here. Though the state BJP had announced its only one candidate, Mr Ramlal Hansda for Habibpur Assembly segment and is planning to nominate another one in Harishchandrapur but the district leaders have informed them that they were ready to nominate at least eight candidates out of 11 in this district. It may be recalled that on the basis of seat adjustment between the Trinamul Congress and the BJP in the state level, the Trinamul congress had announced only three candidates for English Bazaar, Gazole and Old Malda. After the report of joining of Mr. Krishnendu Chowdhury to the Congress and possibility to get a congress ticket for English Bazaar, though another Trinamul leader, Mr. Dulal Sarkar told reporters that he or any other candidate would contest in English Bazaar, but the BJP district president claimed that they would be able to nominate better candidate than Mr. Dulal Sarkar, who has got Trinamul ticket for Old Malda constituency. “We have limitation owing to the official adjustment between the Trinamul Congress and the BJP in the state level and the BJP central leadership does not want to break the alliance. We can not ignore them and will have to wait for the nod of the state leadership for finalisation of candidate in English Bazaar”, said Mr. Dinesh Basak, the district BJP president.Mr. Basak also claimed that in last Assembly election ‘incidentally’ Mr. Krishnendu Chowdhury had contested in English Bazaar as an alliance candidate but since 1970s, during the period of Janasangha our candidates had been contesting in English Bazaar bagging decent number of votes. Mr. Tapan Sikdar, the former Union minister, had also contested here in last two-assembly election in English Bazaar, the BJP leaders claimed.

Labours stricken with mystery disease

Statesman News Service

MALDA,(India) March 24. — Nearly 12 Malda labourers, who have returned from Jharkhand recently, are reported to be suffering from an “unknown” disease at the Malda district hospital. One of the labourers, suffering from the same disease, died a few days back, officials said today. As per the information derived from the chief medical officer’s unit, the patients admitted in the district hospital are suffering from a high fever, coupled with the problem of blood discharge through their noses. “The condition of the labourers is still undiagnosed. I have sent the health officials to collect more information on the patient’s history,” Dr Gopal Sarkar, the Malda CMOH, said. “As the area they have just returned from is Amrapara in Jharkhand, there is a possibility that the labourers may be suffering from either malaria or kala-ajar”, the CMOH said. It was reported that some 10 days ago, a group of labourers of Lakshmipur village in Kaliachak III returned home, when they fell ill at Amrapara in Jharkahand.Some of the labourers were admitted at the local block health centre and transferred to the district hospital when their condition worsened. The block medical officer of health, Bedrabad health centre in Kaliachak III, reported to the CMOH today that three such labourers had been admitted to the health centre with high fever history and one of them had been suffering from the blood discharge through the nose. The BMOH immediately referred them to the district hospital. Later, other labourers suffering from the same problem were admitted to the district hospital directly. The CMOH was also informed that one of the labourers undergoing treatment, died in the district hospital.

Violence erupts over graveyard

Statesman News Service

MALDA, March 24. — One person was killed and many others, including policemen, were injured in a clash between people of two different villages on the issue of road construction close to a graveyard in the Chanchal police station area of Malda district last evening, police said. Police said 12 persons have been arrested in this connection and a police camp has been set up in the trouble-torn area. “Sheikh Batul, a villager, was killed after a clash between the two groups, not in police firing at Neharpur village”, said the Malda SP, Mr DK Mondal. “Police had to open fire in the air to bring the situation under control when the villages of two different locations attacked each other with firearms, bombs”, the SP said. “One group was protesting to stop the construction of the metal road that passes through the graveyard, based on the belief that the graveyard was a holy place,” a senior police official said. Trouble broke out on the issue of graveyard a few days ago and work was suspended. When the contractors started construction work, the clash turned into a battle and the two groups set stakes of hay on fire and damaged some houses, police said.

Crisis time for MZP sabhadhipati

Statesman News Service

MALDA, March 24. — The Malda district election officials are seriously looking into the complaint filed against Mr Goutam Chakraborty, the Congress sabhadhipati of Malda Zilla Parishad, by the CPI-M, which demanded the deletion of his name from the electoral roll for being a “shifted voter”, officials today informed.

The election officials on the other hand claimed that a close study proves that inclusion of names in the electoral rolls by giving false statements is a common practice among political workers and leaders.

Not only the Congress workers, but also the CPI-M and other workers have got their names enrolled by providing false statements to the government officials for their vested political interests.

After the implementation of the Election Commission’s guidelines for electoral roll revision, several such cases related to “shifted voters” as in the case of the Congress sabhadhipati, have been detected in the district.

A group of villagers of Milky in English Bazaar backed by the CPI-M yesterday demanded the deletion of the name of the Mr Goutam Chakraborty from the electoral roll for being a “shifted voter”.

But, the complainants now have decided to lodge a fresh complaint on the same matter with the EC, alleging that they have lost faith in the district election officials.

Mr Chakraborty, a resident of English Bazar, was able to contest in the zilla parishad election even after the deletion of his name from the electoral roll in the English Bazaar town.

On the other hand, CPI-M leader Mr Biswanath Ghosh, who is also contesting from Kaliachak Assembly this year, had included his name in Amrity village in English Bazaar for political gains.

He also made provisions for contesting panchayat election for being an original resident of municipal area.

Under a rigid system of electoral roll revision, the CPI-M leader had reportedly applied for the transferring of his name from rural to urban region to be establish himself as an Indian citizen to gain voting rights and also the right to contest in any election, besides the gram panchayat.

A senior district election official said: “We are looking into the matter seriously. The result in this case may be negative, according to the EC rules prescribed for shifted voters”.

“The sabhadhipati has to apply in form 8-A to get his name transferred from one place to another. He will have to apply in form 6-A for fresh inclusion of his name,” the CPI-M leaders claimed. #

Demand to delete name of Congress sabhadhipati

MALDA. March.23. — A group of villagers of Milky in English Bazaar, backed by the CPI-M have demanded deletion of the name of the Congress sabhadhipati, chief of the district board, as “shifted voter” from the electoral roll and decided to lodge a fresh complaint with the Election Commission having lost faith in the district election officials today. It is a “bolt from the blue” for the Congress when the party is in a dilemma to nominate a suitable candidate for English Bazaar Assembly segment against the CPI-M till date. It may be recalled that the Congress sabhadhipati, Mr Goutam Chakraborty, was one of the proposed candidates for English Bazaar Assembly segment and he was elected as zilla parishad member being a resident of a village in English Bazaar after deleting his name from the electoral roll in English Bazaar town. CPI-M-backed villagers had lodged a complaint with the election officials about the matter when the election officials had given a note that “Mr Chakraborty was not found in his address mentioned in the voters’ list” during the door-to-door visit for electoral roll revision. In the complaint, villagers had mentioned that he was a resident of English Bazaar town where he and his family members live, based on electoral roll. In order to authenticate the information, they had mentioned some records about his existence at Puratuli Bandh Road in English Bazaar town and submitted documents of official records of his car diary (log book) where it was found that he was permanently residing at English Bazaar town. Today, the SDO conducted a hearing on this issue, where the sabhadhipati was absent, and reportedly said that “his name would not be deleted from the electoral roll.” The CPI-M leaders demanded a written statement from the SDO and decided to lodge a fresh complaint with the EC.“We are looking into the matter,” said Mr BP Barat, the additional district magistrate. Mr Goutam Chakraborty said: “Five CPI-M men had lodged a complaint with the Malda election officials against me. I have submitted all documents in favour of me being a resident of a village. Now it is up to the Election Commission to decide. I have good faith in the EC.” — SNS

Policemen injured as villagers clash in Malda
MALDA, March 23. — Four policemen were injured while trying to bring the situation under control at Nehalpur in Malda’s Chanchal police station area, where people of two villages clashed with each other this evening. According to police, the two groups of villagers had been at loggerheads over the right of a road that leads to a graveyard, with both groups staking claim for the road. The situation turned violent this evening, with the two groups hurling crude bombs targeting each other. The police had to fire four rounds in the open to disperse the mob. Senior police officials have rushed to Nehalpur as tension prevailed in the two villages after the incident. — SNS

Cong men in a fix

Statesman News Service

MALDA, March 23. — The four Congress candidates for the English Bazaar, Manikchak, Ratua and Old Malda Assembly segments, whose names had been sent to New Delhi for final consideration, are still vacillating on the issue of initiating their campaign apprehending that there might be a change in the candidates’ list at the last moment. All four proposed candidates, according to the list of Malda Congress, which was sent to New Delhi for final consideration, are suffering from dilemna and waiting for a fresh decision that may come up by 26 March night, Congress sources said. More interestingly still the name of the rebel leader of Trinamul Congress, Mr KN Chowhury, is under the consideration for a Congress ticket according to the desire of Mr A BA Ghani Khan Choudhury backed by a group of Congress workers considering him as the fittest candidate for English Bazaar, after the present Malda Zilla Parishad sabhadhipati, Mr Goutam Chakraborty, despite protest from another group of Congress workers in this district. Mr KN Choudhury is silently waiting for green signal from the Congress camp even after managing a ticket from the camp of the Trinamul Congress for English Bazaar. The discussion started after selection of its candidate, Mr Phani Roy, for the English Bazaar, who had contested as Trinamul candidate in Old Malda Assembly segment during the last Assembly election, but, was defeated by the CPI-M. Sources said that if the party decides to cancel Mr Phani Roy nomination for the English Bazaar Assembly segment and re-nominated him for the Old Malda segment as the former the MLA, the question would now arise about the fate of the officially declared candidate, Mr Arjun Haldar, for Old Malda. On the other hand, Mr ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury has nominated Mr Samar Mukherjee as the Congress candidate. Reportedly, the Union defence minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee is still anxiously waiting for a final decision with a view to start campaigning in full swing.Trouble broke out after the cancellation of the name of Mr Asit Bose, proposed by another Union minister, Mr Priya Ranjan Das Munshi. Though the Congress workers belonging to Priya Ranjan Das Munshi group, have informed the press that the Union minister has finally directed Mr Asit Bose to co-ordinate the election campaign for the nominated candidate Mr Samar Mukherjee, Mr Mukherjee is still uncertain about his fate. In Manikchak, where the Malda Congress had finally selected Mr Jalil Sheikh, dropping the former MLA and last year’s contesting candidate, Mr Ram Prabesh Mandal, there may be a last moment change following the ire of Congress workers in Manikchak, sources said. It was reported that Mr ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury was unhappy over the selection of some candidates, where the CPI-M wining candidates are contesting. Particularly the Malda Congress could not select a heavy weight candidate for English Bazaar besides Mr Goutam Chakraborty, who has already expressed his unwillingness.

English Bazaar chairman working despite Opp protest

Statesman News Service

MALDA, March 23. — The CPI-M backed Independent chairman of English Bazaar municipality, Mr Nihar Ranjan Ghosh, has still been carrying out his work from the veranda of his office owing to the continuous agitation launched by the Opposition. The Opposition leaders today said that they would seek the interference of the district magistrate for the removal of the present chairman following the direction of the High Court on the no-confidence motion against the chairman. “We are waiting for the order copy of the Division Bench in order to take up the necessary course of action,” said a Trinamul councillor, Mr Dulal Sarkar. On the other hand, the chairman of the civic board, Mr Nihar Ranjan Ghosh, said that they have got a stay-order to run the board till 22 April. And that a no-confidence motion can’t be called against him, as it would not be executed till 22 April.It may be recalled that before the election, in order to maintain power in the Malda zilla parishad and the English Bazaar municipality, both the CPI-M and the Opposition groups comprising the Congress, the BJP and the Trinamul Congress are fighting in the court of law. The Congress led coalition with the support of the BJP and the Trinamul Congress is ruling in Malda Zilla Parishad.

Maoists demand information on prisoners

Statesman News Service

MALDA, March 22. — After the hunger strike, Maoist activists now demand information about all imprisoned fellow activists in various jails arrested on the charge of “waging war against the state”. Sources said today that one Maoist activist, Mr Animesh Chakraborty, has been on hunger- strike for the last three days and that the Maoists may soon appeal to the Court seeking the status of all Maoist prisoners, who are presently in jail, based on the Correctional Services Act 2000. The Maoist activist, Mr Animesh Chakraborty, has been on hunger strike continuously in phases, while he was in the Malda, Jalpaiguri and Siliguri jails in north Bengal for the same issue. On 5 March, he was transferred to Midnapore Central jail from the Malda jail in connection with a case for waging war against the state, recorded in Shalboni. Reportedly, out of 10 cases against, he has bail in four, all of which were initiated by north Bengal police. One case, however, which was initiated in Malda in connection with a murder in Harishchandrapur in the 1990s, will start in April. Animesh had threatened to intensify the hunger strike after the jail minister allegedly commented: “They would not be treated as political prisoners”. Animesh Chakraborty reportedly wrote a letter to the jail minister, Mr Biswanath Choudhury, from Malda in the first week of March pointing out that under the section 24(6) of the West Bengal Correctional Service Bill 1992, they had a right to know the status of the Maoist prisoners. In a letter, Chakraborty also claimed that he had studied the situation in various villages in Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia and Jalpaguri and found that croplands were in the clutches of capitalists. He also alleged that no implementation of 'Dharmagola' had taken place, as declared in the election manifesto in 1978 by the ruling state government. #

English Bazaar deadlock is on

Statesman News Service

MALDA, March 22. — The civic body chief of English Bazaar Municipality, Mr Nihar Ranjan Ghosh, today carried out his office work on the veranda, after the Opposition councillors, who have been agitating against him since the past three days, prevented him from entering his chamber. Out of the 25 members, 14 of them staged a dharna in front of the chairman’s chamber today demanding the removal of the civic body chief from his seat. The chairman’s removal case came up today in the Calcutta High Court and the Opposition councillors have decided to meet the district magistrate to take appropriate action on the issue based on the judgment of the High Court. It may be recalled that the CPI-M backed chairman had appealed to the court against the no-confidence motion of the Opposition, which was declared as valid, by the court earlier. The ruling councillors said that the next date of hearing is 22 April and they will be getting one month to run the board. But, the Opposition councillors have claimed that they will call a meeting to remove the chairman as early as possible.

Trinamul . Congress fight over candidate

Statesman News Service

MALDA, March 22.— While the Congress in Malda, is apprehensive about declaring the name of its proposed candidate, Mr Phani Roy, for English Bazaar Assembly segment even after sending his name to the screening committee in New Delhi; the Malda Trinamul Congress leaders today claimed that Mr Phani Roy is still a Trinamul Congress member. The Malda Trinamul Congress leaders, including the rebel leader Mr KN Chowdhury, said that Mr Roy has not yet resigned from the party, though he remained inactive after his defeat in the Old Malda constituency during the last Assembly election. “Officially he is a Trinamul member,” they claimed. Mr Phani Roy was a former Congress MLA, but he had contested as the Trinamul candidate in Old Malda. Consequently, he was defeated by the CPI-M, when another candidate contested for the Congress in the last Assembly election. But this time, the Malda Congress has reportedly sent Mr Roy’s name along with two other names to the election committee in New Delhi for consideration. It may be recalled that the Malda Congress was undecided to name its candidates for the Manikchak and English Bazaar and thus are facing the ire of a large number of Congress workers and supporters. Congress sources informed it will take at least three more days to declare the names of the candidates. On the other hand, it was also learnt that the Congress would finally announce the two names on 27 March for the English Bazaar. However, it was informed that the Congress leaders are divided over the election of the candidate for the English Bazar and expressed their unhappiness after seeing Mr Phani Roy’s name in the candidate list. As per reports, they have demanded for a more suitable Congress candidate to fight against the CPI-M candidate, Mr Samar Roy. Mr Netai Ghosh, one of the contenders for the English Bazaar, whose name has been sent to Delhi, today met Mr ABA Ghani Khan Chowdhury to seek a ticket from him. Mr Ghosh mentioned that he was interested in nominating Mr KN Chowdhury, the rebel leader of the Trinamul Congress. Mr KN Chowdhury has been bargaining the seat from the Congress and has informed the media that he may contest in English Bazaar as the Trinamul candidate.

Malda poll booths under EC scanner

Statesman News Service

MALDA, March 21. — The Malda election officials have started identifying those polling stations where an abnormal polling rate was recorded in the last election. The move has been initiated to identify the most vulnerable and sensitive polling stations so that addiditional security forces could be deployed there to conduct free and fair election, officials said today. Authorities said that based on the guidelines of the Election Commission, it was concluded that past records of political violence in the premises of the polling stations were not the main criteria to declare the polling stations as “sensitive” ones. “If a political party is getting over 90 per cent votes or more than that in a particular booth, that the booth should be identified as sensitive one”, a senior district election official informed.Such polling stations should be monitored strictly during election, with the deployment of sufficient forces and officials to conduct fair election, the officer said. After an all-party meeting, convened by the district magistrate yesterday, all the political leaders were informed that this year the election officials will also train the political leaders about how to handle EVM (electronics voting machine). In the next meeting, the election officials would also demonstrate about the EVM and the procedure of nomination filing and essential features for the submission of candidates nomination papers, including forms A and B.Officials said that the political leaders are still alleging that genuine names of voters have been deleted from the electoral rolls on the ground that they were dead, whereas the names of original dead voters are still there in the electoral rolls. The Malda district election officials have ensured them that they would try to make the electoral rolls more perfect till the publication of supplementary electoral rolls. #

Ghani unhappy with Cong decision over candidates' names

Statesman News Service

MALDA, March 20. — It’s not just the Congress workers in Manikchak and English Bazaar, even the Congress stalwart and the Malda MP, Mr ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury, is unhappy with the finalisation of Congress candidates for the 10 Assembly constituencies of Malda district. This, despite the fact that Mr Khan Choudhury was a key player in finalising the candidates’ names. Political observers said that by nominating Mohd Jalil in Manikchak, Mr Phani Roy in English Bazaar (tentatively) and Mr Samar Mukherjee in Ratua, the Malda Congress has almost paved the way for the CPI-M candidates to emerge victorious from these constituencies. “The Malda Zilla Parishad, ruled by the Congress-Trinamul-BJP combine, may face a crisis if the CPI-M candidates win in Assembly polls and get voting rights in the MZP,” a political observer said here. A group of Congress leaders, though, is happy with the two names — the debutant Mohd Jalil and Mr Phani Roy. Mr Roy was defeated as a Trinamul Congress candidate from Old Malda in the last Assembly election and political observers here feel that he would not be able to defeat the CPI-M candidate in English Bazaar this year, too.Some Congress leaders said the party would have fared better in Ratua this year had Mr Priya Ranjan Das Munshi’s wife, Mrs Dipa Das Munshi, been given a ticket, instead of Mr Samar Mukherjee . The CPI-M has fielded its heavyweight leader, Mr Sailen Sarkar, in Ratua constituency. “Mr Khan Choudhury had recommended the name of Mr Ram Prabesh Mandal, a former Congress MLA, for Manikchak seat, to garner the support of the Hindu community. But his suggestion was turned down by the party leaders,” a Congress MLA said. Mr Khan Choudhury was shocked after the declaration of three names of Trinamul candidates, including that of Mr KN Choudhury from English Bazaar.

Mushroom cultivation in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, March. 20. — The West Bengal Tribal Development Cooperative Corporation, Malda branch, under the government’s Public Private Partnership Project (PPP), has begun the task of mushroom cultivation in Malda. They have launched the project with assistance from tribal women of various self-help-groups which are engaged in a number of Large-size Multipurpose Societies (Lamps) in the district. Authorities said that a private entrepreneur, Anwesha Agro Products, the Tribal Development Cooperative Corporation and the Integrated Cooperative Development Project have jointly initiated the pilot project with members of SHGs in Habibpur.Reportedly, tribal women from the Rahutara and Tapsahaat villages have successfully cultivated 25 kg of mushrooms in the first phase. Now, more tribal members from SHGs have joined the project for producing mushrooms. Under the leadership of the Gazole Lamps recently, many tribal women elected by the administration received training for mushroom cultivation, officials said. Considering the present climatic condition of the district, Anwesha Agro Products decided to train the tribal women free, as per the agreements, to produce two types of mushrooms. “At present, we are training the SHG members for producing Dhingri (Pleurotus sajor-cajor) and white button (Agaricus bisporus). We aim to better the quality of production of the mushrooms to suit the demand in the markets,” said Mr Abhijit Dan, a private entrepreneur. “The tribal women belonging to SHGs have mastered the technique of producing mushrooms in their houses,” he added. Officials said that the district magistrate also visited the Habibpur Lamps and sanctioned Rs 25 lakh for infrastructure development for the SHGs and other establishments. “We are providing Central assistance for cultivating mushrooms. The private entrepreneur has taken responsibility of its marketing,” said Mr Sarit Das, branch manager, WBTDCC, Malda.“After receiving the green signal from our higher authorities, we are now planning to lunch another awareness campaign to help people develop a taste for mushrooms and its by-products,” said Mr Sarit Das. “We will portray mushroom as the ideal food for the vegetarians as they contain 52 per cent protein,” Mr Das said. #

Ghani fails to declare name of nominee

KATOWALI (Malda), March 18. — Congress stalwart and Malda MP Mr ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury could not declare the candidate’s name for the English Bazaar Assembly seat today, failing to select either Mr Goutam Chakraborty or Mr Krishnendu Chowdhury as Congress candidate.The Malda Congress deferred the announcement date of six seats out of 11 till 23 March, although the MP called reporters today for the announcement at his Katowali residence. “A major group of Malda Congress leaders has opposed Mr Chowdhury’s candidature and expressed its views in favour of Mr Chakraborty.”But the present Congress sabhadhipati of Malda zilla parishad and former MLA, Mr Chakraborty, said: “I told them I will not contest this year.” Mr Chowdhury met the Malda MP and joined the Congress yesterday, ignoring the ticket offered by the Trinamul. Reportedly, due to his anti-party activities and statement against the state Trinamul leadership a few days back, he has been expelled. SNS

Trinamul Congress district chief removed

Statesman News Service

MALDA, March 17. — Mr Krishnendu Chowdhury has been removed from his post as district president of Malda Trinamul Congress , due to his anti-party activities and statement to the Press against the state leadership, another leader of Malda Trinamul Congress, Mr Dulal Sarkar alias Babla, said here today. “The state leadership has removed Mr Chowdhury and directed me to act as district president till end of the election,” Mr Dulal Sarkar said. It may be recalled that Mr Chowdhury had protested against the decision of the state leadership for nominating three candidates including himself in Malda without consulting the district president. Today Mr Chowdhury met Mr Ghani Khan Choudhury , the Malda congress MP , and expressed his desire to join congress with other leaders and called an emergent meeting with Trinamul members on Sunday. “Though the state leadership selected him as the Trinamul candidate for English Bazaar in Malda, another candidate has been selected to contest in Assembly polls in English Bazaar instead of Mr. Krishnendu Chowdhury,” Mr Sarkar said.Congress stalwart and Malda MP Mr A BA Ghani Khan Choudhury, will announce the names of Congress candidates in the district soon. He will also decide the “fate” of the district Trinamul Congress president, Krishnendu Chowdhury and district leaders of a “breakaway group” of the Mamata Banerjee camp said here today.Mr Chowdhury, who met Mr Khan Choudhury this morning and bargained for a Congress ticket to contest the Assembly election from the English Bazaar constituency, ignored Miss Banerjee’s ticket as the Trinamul candidate for the same seat. “It was a courtesy visit. Nothing official. Barkat da will tell you about me soon. Then I will tell you everything,” he said and expressed his desire to join the Congress officially at Mr Khan Choudhury’s residence, in his presence. “Efforts to dislodge the CPI-M from the English Bazaar civic board may not materialise if the district Trinamul Congress president joins Mr Khan Choudhury’s camp. Many elected members of Trinamul Congress don’t want to join Mr Chowdhury. This will prevent unity among Opposition councillors of English Bazaar Municipality,” they said.

Poll Jolt for Trinamul

Statesman News Service

MALDA,(India) March. 16. — The state Trinamul Congress leadership received a jolt today when the party’s candidate for English Bazaar, Mr KN Chowdhury, announced that he would not contest on behalf of the Trinamul Congress.

“Until the non-bailable arrest warrant issued against me by a Bihar court is cleared, how could I tell you whether I would contest or not,” Mr Chowdhury said. On the other hand, he also made it clear that he would not go against the Malda Congress leadership. “We all want to defeat the CPI-M in English Bazaar like what I did in the last Assembly election, he said. Criticising the state Trinamul leadership, Mr KN Chowdhury said: “Without consulting me, they have nominated three candidates for Malda district, including me. The other two leaders have links with the CPI-M. How could they get a Trinamul ticket. Moreover, the party leadership did nothing to clear the non-bailable arrest warrant issued against me by a Bihar court. If the EC deletes my name from the voter list, how could I contest?” Mr Chowdhury said. It may be noted that acting on EC’s directive, the district magistrate had recently issued a letter to the concerned authorities, instructing them to delete Mr Chowdhury’s name from the electoral rolls. The order, however, is yet to be executed for unknown reasons. Speculations are rife that Mr Chowdhury could get a Congress ticket from English Bazaar, as proposed by the senior Congress leader, Mr ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury. Mr Chowdhury’s name, however, was not included in the proposed list submitted by the district president of Malda Congress, Mrs Rubi Noor, to the Pradesh Congress Committee. “Mr Chowdhury is definitely an experienced leader and capable of posing a challenge to the CPI-M, but how could we take the risk of offering him a Congress ticket since a non-bailable arrest warrant had been issued against him,” said a senior Congress leader in Malda after reportedly receiving some information from Kolkata, where the Congress’s election committee has been busy in finalising candidates for the upcoming Assembly polls. #

Anti-erosion project yet to take off

Statesman News Service

MALDA,(India) March. 15. — Even after the joint survey carried out by India and Bangladesh, the anti-erosion project along the river Mahananda that was supposed to begin before the monsoon this year, is still awaiting the administrative approval, officials said. Authorities said that following the shooting stint between the Indian and Bangladeshi border guards in August last year, the Malda district administration took up the decision to carry out the anti-erosion project. As per reports, the Indian border guards had to open fire, when the Bangladeshi border guards objected executing temporary anti-erosion work during the year’s monsoon in order to save some Indian border out posts. “The anti-erosion project is awaiting technical and administrative approval,” said an engineer of the Malda irrigation division. It must be recalled that after the completion of a joint survey between India and Bangladesh and upon receiving the primary report of the survey results, India was given over 1,000 acres of land on the right side of the river Mahananda. The border security forces and the central public works department have already started the 1.23- km barbed wire fencing work in the Adampur border outpost in the first week of February. “We cannot issue notices inviting job tenders without technical and administrative approval,” Mr Pundarikashya Roy, executive engineer of the Malda irrigation department said. The chief engineer II of the state irrigation and waterways department is in charge of giving the approval for issuing work orders, Mr Roy said. According to the irrigation officials, the project file is still with the north central superintending engineer. The project has been prepared in two phases and covers nearly 3,000 metres of the left bankline of the river Mahananda for bank protection by boulder pitching and boulders’ apron on the river bed, the engineers said. Last year, the Indian border guards approached the district magistrate for the protection of bankline in order to save some of their border outposts under the area of Muchia, Adampur, Sukhnagar and others for guarding the porous border. “The BSF top officials are waiting for final report of the joint survey in writing, which is expected to reach by the end of March,” the officials said. The top officials are also planning to resolve the land dispute by adhering to “makeover and take over” of lands between both the countries. Owing to erosion of the river, many Indian croplands have also come up on the Bangladesh side and similarly a part of Bangladeshi croplands has come up on the Indian side. The Indian and Bangladeshi border guards are reportedly in verbal row over the issue.#

16 held for nursing home vandalism

Statesman News Service

MALDA. March 15. — Sixteen persons, including a higher secondary examinee, were arrested and sentenced to jail for ransacking a nursing home and setting ablaze an ambulance, police said today. On Monday night, a mob attacked a reputed nursing home and its doctors after the death of 32-year-old, Mahasin Sheikh, in English Bazaar town due to the negligence of doctors and hospital staff. Authorities said following doctors’ opinion, police conducted a post-mortem of the body, in order to know the exact cause of his death who was under going treatment in Malda Nursing Home for two days. Indian Medical Association, Malda unit, took out a protest rally and submitted a memorandum to the Malda SP calling on a token strike on Tuesday demanding arrest and proper punishment of the culprits IMA doctors including the nursing home authorities alleged that the police were “silent spectators” when the unruly mob were damaging the nursing home building. “Police have been discredited for failing to stem the attack on the hospital,” said Mr DK Mondal, the Malda SP. “The problem was, the mob attacked the nursing home in the second phase in presence of police though they reached just after five minutes from English Bazaar P S ,” the SP said. On the other hand, local residents alleged that police arrested many innocent people including HS examinees and friends of the nursing home staff. “Police could not arrest the two main culprits. They have been informed about them later. “We have released two HS examinees but one Roni alias Arrafat has been sent to jail after medical examination. He did not tell police about his status during medical examination. We have nothing to do now. But we can help him if he wants to appear in the H S examination,” Mr Mondal said. “I suggest relatives of Roni for seeking bail in the Court on this ground,” he added. Though it was alleged that the victim died due to negligence of doctors, and lack of proper diagnosis, the IMA members denied the charges. Investigations revealed that relatives of the patient got angry after hearing “unwanted facts” on the part of the patient. It was informed “he had infection in urinary tract, which might have been a fall out of some illicit sexual relation and habit of taking some drugs and hot drinks.” On the other hand, IMA doctors lastly claimed: “He was suffering from viral encephalitis, his brain was not functioning properly.” “We have called off cease work today and will see what the administration does in the meanwhile. Tomorrow we shall sit again to decide over the future course of action. The possibility of further ceasework can not be ruled out,” Dr Shymal Chakraborty, president of Malda IMA, told reporters. “The damage the mob has done is not to the building but to our confidence,” said a doctor, who was present at the spot. Police handled the situation of law and order with an iron hand when the relatives didn’t agree to the proposal of post mortem of the body. Eye witnesses said: “ The situation turned violent when the relatives of the patient decided to take Mahasin Sheikh to Kolkata and saw him dead just after making all payments of bills to the nursing home”. The patient was admitted with headache and fever, nursing home authorities said. #

Political rivalry shuts down Malda packaging unit

Statesman News Service

MALDA, March.13. — Owing to a clash between the RSP-led UTUC and the CPI-M-backed Citu activists, a small-scale packaging house unit in the industrial zone of the Malda district has not been functioning since the last four days. While the Citu-led union has launched an agitation demanding a wage hike for labourers, the RSP leaders on behalf of the Utuc union approached the district administration today and alleged that the Citu leaders are preventing them from entering the factory premises for work. The Citu leader, Mr R Sen, is however determined to continue with the agitation against the management of the packaging unit for a wage hike. The owner of the packaging house has informed the matter to the administration for an amicable solution and has also expressed a desire to keep one union in his manufacturing unit. It may be noted that over 35 workers were working here under the banner of Utuc, but recently a large group of workers have formed another union affiliated to the Citu. At present, a few members of the Utuc union are willing to join work, but they have not been able to find entry into the factory owing to the agitation going on infront of the factory. The owner of the packaging unit has preferred the Utuc union members over the Citu members and as such, they have launched the agitation against the owner, sources said.

Villagers plan poll boycott for bad roads

Statesman News Service

MALDA, March. 13. — Demanding restoration of an important village road, a group of residents of Shibnarayanpur village have decided to boycott the coming Assembly election. The village is located in Kaliachak II block and in Manikchak Assembly constituency from where the CPI-M candidate was elected last time and the same candidate has been in the fray this year. The villagers alleged that the authorities did not look into the deplorable condition of the road from Rathbari to Geetamore. Not only the students of Rathbari and Durlavpur High School, many people depend on the road but no initiative has been taken since a long time. A part of the road is made of soil and no necessary action was taken despite several reminders to the concerned authorities from various corners, it was alleged. Villagers had served a notice of poll boycott to the administration on Saturday.

Malda Nursing Home ransacked

MALDA, March. 13. — Protesting against the death of Mahasin Sheikh (32), allegedly due to doctors’ negligence, a mob ransacked the Malda Nursing Home and set a Maruti van of a doctor, parked inside the nursing home complex, on fire here tonight.Tension prevailed in the town after the incident. The Malda SP, Mr DK Mondal, said senior police officials as well as firefighters have been sent to the nursing home to bring the situation under control. The nursing home authorities could not be contacted to comment on the issue — SNS

Trinamul poll row

Statesman News Service

MALDA, March 13. — Just after the declaration of the names of Trinamul candidates’ for the Assembly election, the main group of Malda Trinamul Congress from the lobby of Mr Krishnendu Narayan Chowdhury, district president, announced today that they would not accept the decision of the state committee for this district. Though the state Trinamul Congress has decided to allot a symbol to Mr Krishnendu Narayan Chowdhury, district president, for English Bazaar and Mr Dulal Sarkar for Old Malda, the leaders did not bother to discuss the matter with us, they told reporters this evening. The Malda Trinamul leaders have protested against the decision to offer a ticket to another rebel Trinamul leader, Mr Dulal Sarkar, who is also a Trinamul councillor of the English Bazaar Municipality. “Mr Dulal Sarkar had cast his vote in favour of the CPI-M-backed candidate for the chairman’s election in English Bazaar Municipality.Instead of being punished, he has been offered a ticket! How is it possible, asked Mr Debapriya Saha , district Trinamul leader and working president. On the other hand, the Trinamul district president, Mr KN Chowdhury said : “I will not contest from English Bazaar unless there is an alliance between the Congress and the Trinamul Congress . I do not want to contest with the symbol of Trinamul Congress in English Bazaar. “ I am disgusted with the attitude of the state leadership. I am also upset about the present decision,” Mr Chowdhury said. “I can’t betray the Malda MP, Mr ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury,”Mr Chowdhury said. Mr KN Chowdhury today sought a bail plea from Patna High Court in connection with the non-bailable arrest warrant pending against him for his involvement in a twin-murder case which took place in Katihar a few years back.Mr Dulal Sarkar was also involved in this case, suggest police records. On the other hand, though it was learnt that Mr Krishnendu Narayan Chowdhury would contest with a ticket of the Congress in English Bazaar with the help of the Mr Khan Choudhury his sister, the district Congress president, Mrs Rubi Noor, today said that Mr KN Chowdhury was not recommended as a Congress candidate, particularly for English Bazaar. His name was not there among the three sent to the state for finalisation. On 15 March, the state committee will finalise the names of candidates for Malda and other districts, Mrs Noor told reporters today. On Thursday, Mr Khan Choudhury will be returning from New Delhi for finalisation of the names of candidates for Malda, she said. Political observers feel if the Congress does not back Mr KN Chowdhury, his political career will be doomed.

Plea for steady blood supply in Malda

MALDA, March 13. — Malda’s chief medical officer of health has approached various voluntary blood-donors’ groups to ensure a steady supply of blood for the Malda hospital’s blood bank before and during the Assembly election. Health officials said the demand for blood is especially high in Malda during the election period. Malda Hospital’s blood bank has run out of stock and as such, voluntary organisations, including the CPI-M-backed youth organisations, are planning to organise a series of blood donation camps soon. “At present, blood shortage is under control, but as election time draws nearer, the demand for blood may shoot up suddenly,” said Dr Gopal Sarkar, CMOH.Health officials fear that thalassemia patients may face blood transmission problems. They further said that doctors are also worried about the pace at which the patients suffering from thalassemia is increasing in the district. The doctors of a local private nursing home “Dishari Health Point”, said they had received over 125 thalassemia patients in the past one year at the institute.Of them, twenty-four per cent of the patients are suffering from acute thalassemia.

Fraud held in Malda with fake bills

Statesman News Service

MALDA, March. 13. — A teenage boy was caught drawing false wages from the English Bazar Municipality on Friday, where officers concerned were disbursing wages to contract workers. As per reports, it was a genuine contract labourer, who nabbed the boy while he was drawing salary using fake bills. Instead of signing the register, the boy was seen making a thumb impression with ink to avoid detection. The teenage boy was produced before the chairman of the civic body with cash in hand. The accused boy returned all the money to the chairman, but he refrained from disclosing any information regarding who had assigned him such a task. The BJP councillor had to handle the situation, when a local from Ward No. 13, from where the BJP councillor was elected was known to be involved in the altercation, after the accused teenager was intercepted. “Such malpractices have been going on since years,” a group of EBM staff, said. The Left union leaders of the EBM have demanded a thorough inquiry into the matter apprehending more such cases. The leaders suspect that there may be many such cases of labourers, who exist on paper only. But, their wages are being drawn regularly from the municipal exchequer. #

Border guards deny tension

Statesman News Service

MALDA, March 12. — Indian border guards said today that there was no tension or provocation along the border to recapturing the 400 acres of Bangladeshi land mobilising massive troops with heavy arms and weapons. “There is no change in the earlier status of the land surveyed by both countries,” a commandant of Indian border guards said. Last Friday, the Bangladeshi newspaper, The New Nation, had reported that the border security force had mobilised massive troops with heavy weapons along the Sapahar border and was engaged in provocative activities with a view to recapturing 400 acres of Bangladeshi land. “As a result, tension has been prevailing along the border since Thursday. A large number of BSF personnel of the 172 Battalion armed with heavy weapons have taken position in the newly dug bunkers on the Indian side,” the newspaper reported. “The BDR instantly lodged a strong protest against the BSF attempt, since earlier, Bangladesh had got back the 400 acres of land from Indian occupation on 3 March after the completion of a joint survey,” The New Nation said. “No flag meeting was held. The information is wrong. Bangladesh did not get back the land on 3 March. There was no reinforcement besides routing patrolling,” the officer said on the telephone, to counter the report – “to restore peace in the area, an hour-long company commander- level flag meeting initiated by the BDR was held between the two border guards at 3.30 p.m. yesterday.” The BSF officers have alerted all its troops located at the Lakshmi Narayanpur border areas in Indian part when the report was published in Bangladesh on 6 March, saying that Bangladesh Rifles had reclaimed 400 acres of land, including some portion of the Punarbhaba river, from the possession of India after 1947. The BSF officials in the top level are monitoring all these things published in Bangladesh Newspaper. Recently Bangladesh based The Gulf Times had reported that “the residents of Poladanga village in Bangladesh expected that they would soon regain their ancestral 1,100 hectares which India had “ appropriated” in 1947”. The BSF and BDR had exchanged heavy fire in August last year in this region over the issue of area operation.

EC rules annoy CPIM leaders

Statesman News Service

MALDA, March. 12. — The CPI-M leaders have expressed their unhappiness over the present guidelines issued by the Election Commission and have also rebuked the officials executing the EC orders. Criticising the decision of the EC to ban poll graffiti, symbols, banners or any other such means of publicity adopted for campaigns, the minister for food processing and horticulture, Mr Sailen Sarkar, said: “The EC can erase names from the walls, but cannot erase names from the hearts of the people.” He announced this while addressing an election rally organised by the LF supporters and students’ organisations. Mr Manoj Singh, the EC observer for Malda, had instructed the district magistrate to monitor the collection of subscriptions from the state and the Central government employees that would go into the party fund to bear the election expenses. Reportedly, the district magistrate had sent a letter to the state EC asking about the procedure of its execution. But, the district administration has not yet received any satisfactory reply from the EC. “No reply has reached us yet,” said a top district official. On the other hand, the CPI-M leaders have criticised the block development officers for mentioning the name of a CPI-M worker, who had lodged a complaint with the BDO of Kaliachak II, against 64 voters. The CPI-M lodged a counter-complaint with the state Election Commission yesterday against the BDO of Kaliachak II. Reportedly, the BDO had issued a notice to all 64 voters, mentioning the name of the CPI-M leader, Mr A Choudhury, who had lodged the complaint. It may be recalled that after severe erosion on the left bank of the Ganges, nearly 2,100 voters’ names in the polling station No. 78, 79 and 80 was deleted from the electoral rolls. When the matter was brought to the notice of the election observer, it was decided that a special camp would be set up to include all the names in a particular part. Of them, 64 voters had been able to include their names in other places. The local CPI-M leader had lodged complaint with the BDO against 64 voters. However, after publicising the name of the complainant, it is feared that the news might give way to a “riot” in the belt. It is feared that the voters who had managed to include their names in other places may attack the CPI-M leader. The BDO has sought clarification from the 64 voters on the basis of the CPI-M leader’s complaint, in the process declaring his name, before the finalisation of a supplementary electoral roll.

Opium plants destroyed

MALDA.(India)March 10.- District excise officials today destroyed close to .7 million opium plants at Khanda village under Harishchandrapur police station , police said. Authorities said since the last three months a group of locals were cultivating opium here covering 1.07 acres land whose estimated black market value is nearly Rs 4 crore. Nobody has been arrested so far. It is the first case in this district, officials said. “We have to ascertain the name of land owners from the land and land reforms department,” said Mr Sujit Das, superintendent of Malda excise department. “Investigation is on to initiate a case against the cultivators on the charge of illegal cultivation of opium,” Mr Das said. — SNS

BSF & BDR in verbal duel

Statesman News Service

MALDA,(India) March. 10. —Border Security Force officials have dismissed Bangladesh Rifles’ boastful claim of “regaining 1,100 hectares from India” as a “propaganda” exercise. “They mislead Bangladeshis by distorting border demarcations. When the River Mahananda changed its course, a lot of confusion was created. India is now reasserting its control, leaving the BDR making rather tall claims,” said a senior BSF official here. The Gulf Times reported on 8 March that the residents of Poladanga village in Chapainawabganj district expected that they would soon regain their ancestral 1,100 hectares which India had “appropriated” in 1947. The BDR was said to have “reoccupied the land across the River Mahananda on 3 March, thwarting the BSF.” The newspaper let it be known that “Nimgachhi and Joygovinda mouzas were now under the BDR’s control.” But sources in the BSF said India had regained more than 1,000 acres after a survey by both the countries. Bangladesh was said to have gained land opposite two Indian border outposts at Krishnanagar and Shuknagar. The residents of Poladanga, opposite the Sukhnagar BOP, may be happy but the land does not measure 1,100 hectares, a BSF official told this correspondent. “A make-over or a take-over” after the final demarcation was a figment of the imagination, it was claimed. The BSF is studying newspaper reports published in Bangladesh and elsewhere. A few days ago, its officials in Malda came to know that a Bangladesh-based newspaper had reported the “recovery” of 400 acres, inclusive of portions of the River Punarbhaba, “from India.” The entire area is actually in Malda and South Dinajpur but senior BSF officials apprehend fresh flare-ups along the border in the wake of the dissemination of such falsified information. #

Opp to move no-trust motion in English Bazaar Municipality

Statesman News Service

MALDA. March. 10. — The Opposition councillors of English Bazaar Municipality decided to move a no-confidence motion against the present CPI-M-backed board after an order issued by the High Court today, the Malda Trinamul leaders said. The CPI-M backed Left councillors including the chief of the civic board, as an Independent member, had managed to get a stay order from the High Court pointing out a technical mistake in the letter of no-confidence issued by the Opposition councillors a few weeks back.“The letter of no-confidence issued by the Opposition was declared “valid” by the court. We can call a fresh no-confidence motion against them,” said Mr KN Chowdhury, the former chief of the English Bazaar civic body and district president of Trinamul Congress.On the other hand, the CPI-M councillors told reporters that they got a 15 day stay order from the court and they would go to Division Bench. The Opposition councillors argued that the court has allowed them only two weeks time for appealing to the Division Bench. “It does not mean we can not call a no-confidence motion against them. We are waiting for the original court order to chalk out the next strategy to dislodge the CPI-M from the board,” said Mr Amlan Bhaduri, a BJP councillor for the board.Both the Congress and Trinamul-BJP councillors have been united to remove the present chairman before the Assembly election. It may be recalled, including the Independent candidate, the LF has only 11 members out of the 25-member board but owing to internal squabbling one Congress and one Trinamul councillor had cast their vote in favour of the Independent member during the chairman’s election.

Clearing police records a must for contesting polls

Statesman News Service

MALDA. March .10. — Persons who are interested to contest the Assembly election will have to clear their police records related to any non-bailable arrest warrant against them by surrendering before court, the Malda SP said today. Talking about the non-bailable arrest warrant against the Malda Trinamul president, Mr KN Chowdhury, the Malda S P, Mr DK Mondal said that he would have to surrender before the court if he wanted to contest the Assembly election. “If he gets an anticipatory bail it is good and after arrest he will be released soon,” Mr Mondal said.It may be recalled that following the instruction of the election observer for Malda, the district magistrate directed the Malda SP to write a letter to his Katihar counterpart in Bihar to execute the non-bailable arrest warrant against him in connection with a twin-murder case. Another rebel Trinamul leader, Mr Dulal Sarkar and the councillor of English Bazaar Municipality was also involved in this case, suggest police records. The Malda SP had sent a letter to the SP Katihar to execute the pending warrant against them but he denied to comment on whether the Katihar SP has requisitioned the Malda police.“We do not have any requisition from Katihar police. On the other hand, we cannot disclose it. After we arrest them, the police stand about the case would be clear,” Mr Mondal said.

EC directive

The election officials said today that the Election Commission has sent a new guideline based on the Defacement Act 1976 and restricted construction of any gate bearing slogans and party flags on the road. According to officials, party flags can be hoisted in the party offices only and not in the public places under Section 2-A of the Act. No poster, banner, party flag, symbol and message or slogan will be allowed to put up in public places under Section 2-B of the Defacement Act 1976. The additional district magistrate, Mr BP Barat said that the district administration has started to clean up walls. It may be recalled that only the CPI-M started wall writing here and stopped following the guidelines of the EC and finding out other strategies for election campaigning. Recently, at an all-political party meeting this subject was discussed and there was a “fun debate” among the party leaders mainly between the CPI-M and the Congress. When asked about the lack of election tempo in the area, a CPI-M leader said: “We have declared our candidates’ names and completed wall writing. Now the administration is erasing our graffiti. As a result you can not observe election tempo here.” The district election officials are keeping in touch with the police for the security of the workers who are engaged in the work of erasing graffiti.

HIV awareness camp for barbers held in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, March. 10. — The Rotary Club of Malda and the district health authorities jointly organised “one step for awareness about HIV-AIDS” among barbers yesterday evening in English Bazaar town. Barbers organised a rally under the guidance of the organisers and attend a session about HIV-AIDS awareness at Rotary Bhawan. The district health officials described the menace of this deadly disease and its protection through consciousness amongst the barbers and their customers. The deputy CMOH I, Dr S Banerjee, urged the barbers to use always new blade for shaving each customer and allow the customers who bring new blade along with them for safety. Dr Banerjee also asked the barbers to charge Rs 1 extra for a new blade and not to dupe the customers by using an old blade twice or thrice to earn profit. The CMOH, Dr Gopal Sarkar, urged the barbers to aware other barber about the menace and to maintain the basic theory of personal hygiene at each and every stall. The Rotary president, Dr B B Sen said that they would supply kit for saloon and uniform for each worker. These kits will be distributed among the barbers on Saturday. Barbers also asked about their problems and interacted what to do about them. Other speakers also urged the barbers to keep clean all equipment and requisites with disinfectants. The Rotary Club of Malda is providing tools to keep their requisite clean and have decided to conduct surprise visit to the stalls where they supplied kits. It was also discussed that barbers who have a temporary arrangement on pavements will also come under the purview of the awareness camp. On the other hand, the Rotary organisers will also visit the ladies beauty parlour to take necessary steps to prevent contamination of HIV-AIDS. However, the CMOH did not agree to disclose the number of patients affected by HIV in the district and how many of them have died till date.

DM lodges complaint with EC

Statesman News Service

MALDA, March. 9. — A complaint was lodged by the Malda district magistrate before the state Election Commission on Wednesday, on the basis of an allegation by the Malda BJP against the state minister for food processing industries and horticulture, Mr Sailen Sarkar. In the complaint, the BJP alleged that the post-cards circulated to voters by Mr Sailen Sarkar in his constituency via post for election campaigning are prototypes of the Indian postal department’s post card. “I have placed a complaint before the EC regarding the matter”, said the DM, Mr Abhijit Choudhuri. He further said that the issue has raised eyebrows because the post-cards used is modeled on the post-cards issued by the Indian Postal Department. “The postal department will look into the matter”, he said. On the other hand, the Trinamul Congress has demanded the EC’s monitoring over the electoral expenses incurred by Mr Sarkar. Some officials stated: “The postal department may earn revenue by selling the required tickets for posting the post-cards to the voters”. The CPI-M leaders said: “When the EC has forbidden us from writing on the walls and imposed so many restrictions regarding election propaganda, we were pressed to find alternative ways for campaigning”. “We have planned to paste banners and posters on the body of our workers, so that none can raise objections”, said Ambar Mitra, a senior CPI-M leader. Reportedly, the LF organisations are busy planning out new methods for campaigning that will not violate the EC guideline. At the same time, the English Bazaar panchayat-samiti too has published a calendar carrying photographs of development works such as inauguration and laying of foundation-stone programmes in the block under the leadership of the Left Front government indirectly. Though, it is a good mode of campaigning. It leaves no scope for objection because in the photographs, there are government officers and public representatives including opposition members as well.

BDR claims 400 acres of Indian land

Statesman News Service
MALDA, March. 6. – BSF officials in Malda through their intelligence sources have information that a Bangladesh based newspapers recently published a story mentioning that Bangladesh has “reclaimed” 400 acres, including some portion of the Punarbhaba River, form India’s possession.

They added that this land had been in India’s possession since last 59 years.

Quoting locals and officials of Bangladesh Rifles, The New Nation, a Bangladesh based newspapers reported: " The strip of land was reclaimed on the basis of a border-demarcation survey conducted by the survey departments of the two countries which concluded late last month".

It was also reported that according to the decision between the two neighbouring countries, surveyor Shaheen Azad and Biswanath on behalf of Bangladesh and India respectively conducted the survey from January 5 to February 16 on the disputed land stretching from Pillar no. 240 to 244.

" During the survey, it became clear that India had been occupying the 400 acres of land of Bangladesh," said a BDR official, in The New Nation, adding "after the survey, commander of BDR Adatola BOP, Abdul Quddus requested BSF commandant Suresh Chandra Jadav, for necessary cooperation for giving back the land to Bangladesh".

"As BSF authorities had not responded till 3 March, BDR members entered the land tactfully and started patrolling the area. At one stage, BSF personnel left the occupied land,” a BDR official has been quoted in the Newspapers as saying.

But speaking to this correspondent, BSF commandant Mr. Suresh Chandra Yadav said: " No body has spoken to me about the matter".

"I have information from my intelligence sources that one such report has been published in Bangladesh".

A senior BSF official also told The Statesman: " We will seek permission from our higher authorities to look into the matter from our end".

BSF sources said that India has regained more than 1000 acres of land on the Bangladesh side after completion of a joint survey by both countries along the disputed Indo-Bangladesh border, which led to a gun battle between the two counties for three days on August last year.

They have also said that officials have completed installation of almost 21 subsidiary lands pillars out of 56, which were proposed to fix the alignment between the two countries.

It was also found that referring pillars were damaged and missing owing to erosion of the river Mahananda. The river changed its course on the Indian side in the areas of five border outposts in last few years and the land went over to Bangladesh.
Similarly, a portion of lands of Bangladesh came here to India just near Krishnanagar and Sukhnagar BOPs. #

Pic collected from site

Warrant against Malda Trinamul president

MALDA, March. 8. — On the basis of a complaint lodged by a woman from English Bazaar to the Election Commission observer for Malda, Mr Manoj Singh, the Malda district magistrate had recently directed the Malda SP to write a letter to his Katihar counterpart to execute the non-bailable arrest warrant against Mr KN Chowdhury, the Malda district Trinamul chief. The DM has also instructed the concerned officials to delete the name of Mr Chowdhury from the electoral rolls on the ground that the latter had been evading arrest. The Malda DM has informed that the Malda SP has already written a letter to the Katihar SP regarding the matter. He further informed that the Katihar police had come to Malda some time back, but returned without arresting the Trinamul chief. “The Katihar police did not even place a requisition before us for executing the case,” he said. “The district magistrate cannot issue such a letter against me,” said Mr KN Chowdhury, referring to the non-bailable arrest warrant issued against him. Sources informed that Mr Chowdhury would move the Patna High Court to seek an anticipatory bail. The anti-Left political parties in Malda, meanwhile, were shocked by the news and have termed it as a conspiracy of the district CPI-M, as Mr Chowdhury has been mulling contesting from English Bazaar constituency on a Congress ticket. It may be noted that Mr Chowdhury was chosen by the Trinamul as its candidate for English Bazaar seat, but the former has stated that he would not contest on behalf of the Trinamul unless there is an alliance between the two parties, the Congress and the Trinamul Congress. On the other hand, it is learnt that Mr Chowdhury may join Congress, if the party offers him a ticket for English Bazaar. “Execution of arrest warrant is nothing but revision of electoral roll to prove that whether he is absconder or ordinarily resident of English Bazaar. “There is no question of deletion of his name from the electoral roll if he is present physically after receiving the notice,” a senior official said. — SNS

Fresh application to enlist names in voters' list

MALDA, March. 8. — The Malda district magistrate, Mr Abhijit Choudhuri, today said that genuine voters whose names have been deleted due to some “unavoidable reasons” from the electoral rolls would have to submit applications to get their names enlisted in the rolls. The election officials have also regretted the fact that the names of genuine voters have been deleted from the electoral rolls, on the ground that they were dead. The EC officials have requested the concerned offices to include the names of such voters as soon as possible. This process would continue till the last date of filing of nomination papers by the candidates, officials said today. At present, the English Bazaar block office alone has received at least 10 such applications. On the other hand, the district election officials have identified nine clubs in the district from where the polling stations would be shifted. Following an instruction by the EC observer, the Malda district election officials have installed a software as search engine for detection of dead voters in all blocks following the system of English Bazaar block, located at the district headquarters. At present, more than 100 such dead and shifted voters have been identified by the search engine. In order to make a perfect supplementary electoral roll, the dead voters’ lists have been sent to the district controller of food and supplies from block office via the district magistrate and on the other hand the DCFS has sent their dead list based on ration cards to delete those names from the electoral rolls. In the meantime, to provide electoral photo identity cards to all voters before election, all gram panchayats have been provided with a camera each for taking snap of voters. The municipalities have been assigned to conduct the programme of Epic in English Bazaar and Old Malda areas in consultation with the election observer. The election officials were facing problem to conduct the programme owing to shortage of time. It may be recalled that only 14 days were allotted to conduct the programme of Epic distribution in two municipal areas, but practically it was a wrong decision. “The number of polling stations in Old Malda municiplaity was 27 and in English Bazaar it was 89 , but only 14 days were allowed to complete the programme”, an official said. — SNS

Cong , BJP one

Statesman News Service

MALDA, March 7. — At a time when the Congress in Malda has chalked out a plan not to split anti-Left Front votes expecting to bag at least nine Assembly seats out of 11 in Malda district, the Left Front leaders have alleged that the Congress is forming an alliance with the BJP in the district unofficially, just to retain their seats. A senior Congress leader in Malda , said: “By 20 March they will finalise the names of their candidates for Assembly seats with an adjustment with other two political parities, the Trinamul Congress and the BJP here to turn all anti-Left votes in their box in this district.” “Strategically we can not disclose the plan which has been formulated here now but we expect that we will bag at least nine out of 11 seats,” the Congress leader said. Speaking to this correspondent, even the Congress leader did not hint about their candidate in English Bazaar. “We are talking to other parties to finalise candidates in few seats. The winning congress candidates in five Assembly seats will contest in their respective segments. And the rest will be finalised soon,” he said. It was learnt that the district president of Malda Congress , Mrs Rubi Noor wants to field a Congress candidate in English Bazaar seat , considering its importance as a head quarter of the district but the Congress leaders who want to regain the seat are preferring “hire and fire” policy inducting the Trinamul district president Mr. K N Chowdhury. Till date, the Malda MP has not finalised the seat adjustment in English Bazaar , though Mr. K N Chowdhury is now very close attachment with him but a hardcore group of congress leaders here not interested to prefer the Trinamul leader in English Bazaar. On the other hand , in a secret meeting with the BJP and the Congress in presence of some Trinamul leaders it was decided that the Congress will not eye Habibpur, presently a BJP dominated Assembly constituency, and the BJP can field its candidate there without any problem. In the discussion it was also noted that the BJP vote bank will also help regain one seat in Manikchak and on the other than such a vote bank would make a wining margin in Sujapur where Mrs Rubi Noor will contest as a Congress candidate. The Malda Congress has decided to adjust with the two anti-Left parties here for Gazole and Old Malda, where the BJP has a certain percentage of votes for Assembly election. “We would not contest in two seats , Gazole and Habibpur , where there is no strong base of our own,” Mrs. Rubi Noor told reporters. But the CPI-M district secretary said that people will cast their votes in favour of the CPM. #

FB leader in Congress camp

Statesman News Service

MALDA, March. 7. — Mr Khoka Orano, a Malda Zilla Parishad member belonging to the Forward Bloc, has joined hands with the Congress-led MZP after having lost faith in the Left Front, the sabhadhipati of MZP, Mr Goutam Chakraborty, said today. Mr Chakraborty claimed that Mr Orano has already circulated leaflets in the Harishchandrapur I block informing the people about his decision. As per the Congress sabhadhipati , Mr Orano has said that the CPI-M led Harishchandrapur Panchayat Samiti has not executed any development work in the block and all suggestions and proposals for development was ignored by the CPI-M led panchayat samiti. While Left Front leaders, particularly the CPI-M organised political programmes in the Harishchandrapur Assembly segment today, sources said that the Congress have come up with an issue based on the statement made by Mr Orano and the local Congress leaders are planning to cash in on the situation, in favour of their nominated candidate Mr Mostaq Alam, before the Assembly elections. Neither the CPI-M district leaders nor the Forward Bloc leaders were available to comment on this issue. The leaflets circulated in the Harishchandrapur area, has however, raised a call for an interrogation. The leaflets were circulated in this area and even in the Malda town. A senior Left Front leader said that it is not clear who circulated the leaflet. Mr Orano was not available to comment, while the Congress claims that he has extended his cooperation to the Congress led MZP. The party members have further disclosed that it is not possible for him to quit party and join the Congress right now following the anti-defection law. It may be noted that the former state minister and former MLA belonging to Forward Bloc, Mr Birendra Maitra, will not contest this year. It was reported that another Muslim candidate has been nominated against the present Congress MLA, Mr Mostaq Alam, in Harishchandrapur. This year the CPI-M has given special attention to the Harishchandrapur Assembly constituency to regain the seat. In the last elections, Mr Maitra had raised a complaint against the Congress candidate alleging him for raising communal issues there.