35 Malda booths face ultra threats

Statesman News Service

MALDA, April 20: Police have identified 35 polling stations that could be attacked by Kamtapur Liberation Organisation activists and Maoists on 8 May when Malda goes to polls in the last phase of the five phase elections in the state. These polling booths are scattered over four police station areas in Malda. Authorities said at least 10 Central paramilitary forces (CPMF) personnel would be deployed at each polling booth to prevent panic among the voters. The prospective trouble spots include 25 polling stations in the Habibpur, Gazole and Bamongola police station areas which are reported to be KLO strongholds. Mr Dilip Kumar Mondal, the Malda SP, said: “The rest of the 10 polling booths are in the Harishchandrapur police station area, close to the state’s border with Bihar, where the People’s War groups are stated to be active.” He also said: “Though there are no ultras at present after continuous raids in these areas, we will not take any risk.” Eighty-three companies of CPMF will reach this district soon. The district authorities have reason to be on their toes. Mr Mondal said: “One of the Maoist leaders is in Malda jail and others have fled. Similarly, three militants, after the arrest of Malkhan Singh, have fled the area.” Intelligence sources have reported that hardcore KLO militants have taken shelter in Bangladesh and Bhutan. While the extremist groups are planning to abort the elections, the CPI-ML, in a bid to better their chances in the elections, staged a hunger-strike in protest against the malpractices of gram panchayat members and the chief in front of the Gazole block office today. It has nominated two candidates in Kaliachak and Gazole. The CPI-ML (Liberation) activists are demanding 100 days of employment under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Schemes. The leader of the CPI-ML ( Liberation), Mr Mrityunjoy Das, said that the panchayat pradhans had collected money from the beneficiaries for issuing job cards and had collected Rs 10 for photographs required for job cards. Mr Das, a district standing committee member, also said that job card holders have been denied jobs which are being implemented. The CPI-ML (Liberation) members have demanded compensation for victims who have not been provided jobs by authorities. Mrs Susmita Bhattacharjee, block development officer, Gazole, said: “The allegation is not correct. I conducted an inquiry but did not get any complaint.” It was also reported that beneficiaries had paid Rs 10 for photographs willingly. If the gram panchayat pradhan fails to provide jobs to villagers within 15 days of the date on which job cards are received, the BDO will take up the matter and recommend the case to the DM. In case the district authorities fail to provide jobs, they have to provide compensation. #