Flood bell rings in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 30: Over 50 labourers are working on a war footing to stem the Ganges’ spillage at Sakurullahapur in Kaliachak II block, irrigation officials said today. The Ganges, meanwhile, has been gushing into the low lying areas, via four places, overflowing its bank, Mr S Mishra, executive engineer, Malda irrigation department, said. Senior officials, including the Malda district magistrate, have requested the irrigation department to take immediate temporary flood protection measures to control the flood situation in this poll-bound district. According to irrigation department officials, the water level of the Ganges had increased from 24.44 metre at 6 a.m. to 24.46 metre at 12 noon today at Manikchak Ghaat. The water level would continue to rise in the next five days due to heavy rainfall in upper catchments, officials said. The irrigation department has already hoisted yellow signal on the unprotected zone along the Ganges’ bank line in Kalaichak II to alert the local residents. The executive engineer, Mr S Mishra, said they would be able to build a temporary second defence line on Friday, raising the height of a PWD to check floodwaters. “Before that the department is trying hard to restrict the floodwaters from overflowing the bank line at Sakurullahapur in Kaliachak II block”, he added. “A red alert would be sounded if the water level will cross 24.94 metres”, a senior engineer said. If the water level of the river crosses the extreme danger mark ~ 25.30 metres ~ the temporary measures would become meaningless,” Mr Mishra said.Beleaguered villagers residing along the bank line in the unprotected zone in Kaliachak II are in search of safer places, sources said. They have reportedly been asked not to panic.Nearly 35 families had to take shelter in the low lying areas near Sakurullahapur after they were rendered homeless due to erosion in the char lands recently, officials said.Senior officials of the Malda district administration said they were ready to face any eventuality.

Fresh erosion likely
MALDA, Aug. 30: Heavy rainfall in the Ganges’ catchment areas over the past few days has finally caused its water to overflow the bank line and gobble up huge tracts of croplands at Domhaat area in Manikchak block, officials said today.The Manikchak block development officer, Mr Sandeep Nag, said that they had apprised locals about the present situation of the Ganges and alerted them about the possibility of fresh erosion on the Ganges’ left bank at Domhaat. Mr Nag informed that 28 families had to be shifted to a safer zone due to erosion caused by the burgeoning Ganges here and the number may go up if the erosion continues. Mr Nag said that the croplands covering a distance of one km in length and 50 metres in width have been eroded away due to fresh erosion on the left bank of the Ganges at Domhaat. Administrative officials visited the flood-affected spot today for making an estimate of relief material to be extended to families, who were forced to shift their bases this morning. n SNS

Flood fear in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 29: Malda irrigation department hoisted a yellow signal on the left bank of the Ganges after the water-level crossed the 24.38 metre danger mark at the Manikchak ghat here today to alert residents in the neighbouring “unprotected zones” of the possibility of floods. The executive engineer, Mr S Mishra, said the water-level in the Ganges had already crossed the 24.38 metres mark at the Manikchak ghat here. He said it was likely that the water-level would slowly rise further in the next 72 hours. Mr Mishra said if the water level rose further, the department would be forced to a hoist a red signal within the next five days to alert people residing along the Ganges bank-line here. “If a heavy rainfall occurs in the upper catchment areas such as Kahelgaon, Gandhighaat and Bhagalpur again, the water level of the Ganges in this region will rise further,” warned the executive engineer. Mr S Mishra said that contractors had already started sealing culverts and raising the height of PWD roads since Thursday under the guidance of engineers from Panchanandapur and Bangitola areas. He said that these emergency flood preventive measures would help check spillage of the flood-water from the burgeoning Ganges in the surrounding Kaliachak II areas. Officials approached the district magistrate yesterday asking him to take initiatives to build the ninth retired embankment at Kaliachak II block as a permanent flood preventive measure. The DM was also informed that the irrigation department had submitted a proposal to the land acquisition department this year, but allegedly they took no initiative in this matter. The officials said that owing to the villagers’ opposition and reluctance of political leaders, the anti-flood works could not be completed. According to the irrigation officials, another temporary ‘erosion-checking’ measure at Bagdogra and Balutola villages was in the pipeline to save the circuit embankment at Bhutni Diara, an island amid the Ganges in Manikchak block.

Ghani Khan's borther files nomination

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 29: Congress candidate Mr AH Khan Choudhury today submitted his nomination papers for the Malda Lok Sabha by-poll to the district magistrate in the company of his sister, Mrs Rubi Noor and other Congress leaders, in the style of his elder brother, the late Congress stalwart, ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury. The only exception to the ceremony was the presence of the Union minister, Mr Priya Ranjan Das Munshi, who had brought an authorisation letter from Mrs Sonia Gandhi for symbol allotment. Just like the late Congress leader, ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury, who offered prayers at the famous Manaskamana temple and the Pirane Pir, a sacred religious place of worship for Muslims at Soudullhapur, before filing his nomination for Parliamentary election, his brother, Mr AH Khan Choudhury, too, paid obeisance at the Manaskamana Mandir today before turning up at the district magistrate’s office for filing his nomination. After the nomination papers were submitted by the Malda Congress candidate, Mr AH Khan Choudhury, his sister, Mrs Rubi Noor, MLA and Congress district president, expressed her happiness with the Trinamul Supremo, Miss Mamata Banerjee’s decision to support the Congress in the forthcoming Malda by-poll ignoring the party’s official alliance with the BJP. “We are grateful to Miss Mamata Banerjee for her gesture,” said Mrs Rubi Noor. Mr Priya Ranjan Das Munshi, the information and broadcasting minister, said that they had approached political leaders, including the chief minister of West Bengal and requested them not to nominate any candidate in the forthcoming Malda by-poll. Mr Das Munshi said only the Trinamul Congress had accepted their proposal. “I approached these ministers because it was a question of paying last respects to a great leader of Bengal, who passed away in mid-way of the parliamentary term,” Mr Das Munshi said. The entire election process for the Congress party would be handled by Mr Das Munshi.

Flood alert in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 28: Following heavy rainfall at Bhagalpur in Bihar, Malda district magistrate Mr Chittaranjan Das today, alerted all block development officers here to keep a close watch on the steadily rising water-level of the Ganges flowing through this region and take adequate precautionary measures against floods. Mr Das today held a meeting with top officials of the Malda irrigation department, including the executive engineer and the superintending engineer, to chalk out temporary flood prevention measures in Kaliachak II area such as sealing culverts and raising the height of the PWD road by dumping sand bags. Malda DM Mr Chittaranjan Das said that the Ganges in Malda was flowing just 30 centimetres below the danger mark. Mr Das also instructed the BDOs to keep the flood control room operative for 24-hours.

Congerss hails Mamata gesture

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 28: Malda Congress leaders have expressed their happiness over the Trinamul supremo Miss Mamata Banerjee’s decision to support them in the Malda by-poll, ignoring the party’s official alliance with the BJP. Miss Banerjee today announced in Kolkata that her party would support the Congress candidate in Malda “to pay their last respect to the late Congress leader, ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury”. It may, however, be noted that family members of the late Ghani Khan Choudhury, after nominating Mr AH Khan Choudhury as Congress candidate for Malda by-poll, had requested the Trinamul chief to refrain from supporting BJP or nominate any Trinamul Congress candidate here. The Congress leaders took this decision after a group of Congress workers left the party under the leadership of Mr Prakash Singhee, expecting to get a ticket from Trinamul Congress for the Malda by-poll. Miss Mamata Banerjee’s decision to support the Congress in the Malda by-poll, on the other hand, has disappointed both state and the district leaders of BJP.

Mamata paves way for Cong in Malda
Statesman News Service

KOLKATA, Aug. 28: The relationship between NDA allies Trinamul Congress and BJP suffered a major setback today after Trinamul Congress chief Ms Mamata Banerjee decided not to field any candidate for the Malda Lok Sabha by-election and requested the BJP to withdraw its nominee. The seat fell vacant following the death of ABA Ghani Khan Chowdhury and by-elections are likely to be held in September. The Congress has fielded Mr AHA Khan Chowdhury, brother of Ghani Khan Chowdhury, as its candidate, while the Left Front’s candidate is Mr Sailen Sarkar, the state’s parliamentary affairs minister. Ms Banerjee said Mr Khan Chowdhury’s family had requested her not to field a Trinamul candidate from Malda. She said she had acceded to the request as she wanted a “one-on-one contest in Malda”, which Ghani Khan Chowdhury had always hoped for. It will be recalled that no seat adjustment between Congress and Trinamul Congress took place before the last Assembly poll as Ms Banerjee refused to leave the NDA fold at the time. When contacted in Delhi, state BJP president Mr Tathagata Roy ruled out the possibility of withdrawing his party’s candidate. He wondered aloud how “Ms Banerjee, an NDA ally, could help a Congress candidate to win the seat. Ms Banerjee should not help a Congress candidate win a Lok Sabha seat.” Trinamul Congress leader Mr Saugata Roy will contest the Bongaon Assembly by-election on 16 September. Announcing this at a meeting to celebrate the Trinamul Chhatra Parishad’s foundation day at the University Institute this morning Ms Banerjee said: “We wanted a strong candidate for this seat.” Mr Roy lost to the state PWD minister Mr Kshiti Goswami from the Dhakuria Assembly seat in the last Assembly poll. Mr Roy’s nomination has evoked a mixed response.

BJP charts out issues for Malda bypoll
Statesman News Service

KOLKATA, August 28: The state BJP will make infiltration, and erosion election issues in the ensuing Malda Lok Sabha by-election. Mr Tathagata Roy, state BJP president, said today at a Press conference. The party has projected Mr Biswapriya Roy Chowdhury as the candidate from Malda. He said that for past 30 years CPI-M has done nothing to control erosion in Malda and thousands have become homeless and destitute after losing property. He said, CPI-M leaders from Malda were not serious about the issue. Moreover, he alleged that due to infiltration across the border there is a total demographic change but at the same time he emphasised that BJP has a fair chance to win, this year. This is because after the death of AB Gani Khan Chowdhury, there is a void in the Congress party and the BJP may gain the anti-Left votes. The state BJP president alleged that fencing across the border is not done properly and infiltration takes place. Asked whether CPI-M has a better chance to win the Lok Sabha seat, Mr Roy said that BJP has some strong pockets in Malda. He said Mr MA Kharabela Swain, MP from Balasore was appointed observer for the ensuing election. Yesterday, they discussed at length about the election strategy and Mr Swain said that there is possibility that in future BJP will emerge as the Opposition party in future as Congress has stopped functioning as Opposition in the state. Mr Roy also said that his party will also protest against UPA government’s politics on Vande Mataram and Kudhiram who was described as terrorist instead of martyr in history text books.

Funds crunch hurdle for jetropha cultivation

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 28: Hundreds of villagers cultivating the jetropha plants on the Narayanpur char lands of the Manikchak block here, are forming self-help groups because they lack sufficient funds to nourish these plants. It was learnt that the Malda district administration officials attended a meeting organised by the then Jalpaiguri divisional commissioner here a few years back to encourage poor villagers to cultivate jetropha plants, so that they could later be used as bio-diesel in vehicles and thus, help save fuel. In the meeting, the villagers were instructed to cultivate Jatropha in lands lying unused. Based on this idea, the district and block administration officials took initiative to cultivate jetropha plants on the Narayanpur char lands. The administration selected about 140 acres of land for jetropha cultivation and 50 self-help groups were engaged to execute this task. The district administration then provided villagers initial expenses and samplings, but at present, the project is allegedly lying in a neglected state. Block development officer, Mr Sandeep Nag, said: “We will extend necessary help to the villagers to grow jetropha plants after the Lok Sabha by-poll here. We have some funds that was allotted for the nourishment of jetropha plant”.

No headway in Malda robbery

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 28: Malda police have so far not been able to arrest those involved in committing robbery in the house of a cable operator and brick kiln owner at Nabanganj in the Malda police station area last night. The dacoity, it was learnt, occurred last night probably around 8 p.m., while many people were returning from the weekly haat, allegedly in the presence of police officers patrolling the area. According to preliminary reports, a group of eight armed robbers entered the house of the cable operator at Nabanganj and forcibly seized the keys from him, before scampering away with all valuables from the lockers. After the theft, local residents vented their ire on the police officials patrolling the area and even damaged their vehicles. They alleged that the police have failed to check crime in the area. The Malda SP, Mr Dilip Kumar Mondal, has expressed his regret over the incident.

BLEAK HOUSE

North Bengal continues to reel under the constraints of a drought-like situation. Thousands of farmers are expected to suffer substantial losses and in this grim scenario, writes Manas R Bannerjee, Malda is no exception

VILLAGERS hoping to propitiate the rain gods and end a dry spell recently went through the process of marrying off couples of toads in a traditional Hindu ceremony in the northern part of West Bengal. Their objective was to gain blessings so as to be able to transplant the aman crop and jute retting — but there was no rain in July and August.Officials fear that the situation is going to get far worse if the region does not receive sufficient rain. The state government, on its part, has finally declared the region hit by a “drought-like situation”, that continues to prevail, particularly in four districts — Malda, North and South Dinajpur and some other places in North Bengal. A similar situation plagues Assam where the chief minister is trying hard to draw Central government’s attention to declaring the state drought hit, considering the plight of thousands of farmers. It has also been reported that the northern part of Bihar is facing a drought-like situation.Elsewhere, at least 18 million people have been affected by China’s worst drought in 50 years, according to the state news agency, Xinhua. There has been no rain for more than 70 days, and two-thirds of the rivers have dried up. Residents in some mountain villages have to walk up to two kilometres to get water and at least one person is said to have died from heatstroke. The drought, Xinhua said, has caused economic losses of 11.74 billion yuan.In Malda, Principal Agriculture Officer G Ahmed said, “We are running with 400 mm shortfall of rain in August till date. This for the first time in the last 10 years that we are facing such a drought-like situation in North Bengal areas.“Farmers could not transplant aman paddy crop in more than 50 per cent areas identified for its cultivation. And we are facing a new threat from failing to save below 40 per cent areas where the farmers transplanted aman crop, owing to a lack of rain water.“The estimated loss of rice production in Malda is nearly Rs 90 crore till last Monday and it may go up if this drought-like situation continues,” he claimed. The estimated loss of the aman crop is the same in five districts in North Bengal, including Jalpaiguri and part of Darjeeling, and the total figure may be more than Rs 800 crore at least, one official said. Marginal farmers in Malda’s Barind belt comprising Habibpur, Bamongola and Gazole blocks could not cultivate one-forth of their targeted lands and they are facing a crisis to meet loans taken and accruing interest for investment at the initial stage, sources said. On the other hand, the northern part of Malda district is also facing a problem of jute retting owing to lack of rain water in wet lands and the estimated loss on this front is also nearly Rs 50 crore. The authorities also declared seven days’ holiday for all primary schools from 21 August owing to the drought-like situation in North Bengal districts. According to a report by the District Magistrate, farmers have been able to cover only 23 per cent production of jute plants for retting and are waiting for rain for the rest. When the estimated loss of agriculture production in one district is over Rs 100 crore, the government has reportedly allotted over Rs 45 crore for North Bengal’s districts to combat the drought-like situation. Officials said that the allotment had been estimated for providing free water supply to the farmers through the agri-irrigation department and providing mini kits for free distribution of seeds and fertilisers to farmers via the agriculture department. Though the government has cancelled leave of all staff in the agri-irrigation and agri-mech departments to be able to provide water to farmers, department officials are facing another crisis — how to revive the defunct units of river lifting irrigation schemes and deep tubewells inside and outside the commendable areas. Due to rivers changing their course and because of insufficient water in these rivers at present, many river lifting schemes for irrigation have been rendered defunct in this region, official sources said. Agri-irrigation departmental officials have claimed at least Rs 2 lakh for each water supply installation to be able to procure diesel for deep tubewells outside the commendable areas. Anil Kumar Nag, executive engineer of Agri-Mech Division-I, said, “We are supplying water to the farmers free of cost to combat the drought-like situation. We have demanded expenses but at present we are managing from our old stock to revive the defunct projects.”In North Dinajpur, two persons were reported to have died of sunstroke from standing in a queue of applicants for water outside the office of the agriculture development officer. Now for the twist in the tail: local experts fear a flood-like situation in the last week of September. They said, “Nature will make up its rainfall on an average at any time in the last week of September.”Interestingly, flood-prone Malda district, located on the left bank of the Ganges, has recorded a 23.48-metre water level in the Ganges — the highest till date (but far below the danger level), because of the lack of rain in northern parts of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Nepal.

N B Extra , Published on 25 Aug , 2006

Compensation for Malda accident victims' kin

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 27: The tribal welfare department has granted a non-refundable financial assistance of Rs 20,000 each to the next of the kin of 12 tribal people who were killed in a fatal road mishap at Mahespur in Bamongola on 21 July. The incident had occurred when a speeding truck, in which nearly 70 persons were travelling, hit a tree and overturned while returning from a wedding party. Authorities said they will hand over the amount to the claimants after the Malda Lok sabha by-poll. The transport department authorities have also granted Rs 10,000 each to the next of the kin of those killed in the mishap, but are yet to hand over the money to them.It may be recalled that the state’s tribal welfare minister, Mr Jogesh Barman, came here to meet the family members of the victims after the accident.He had assured the villagers of providing compensation.

Major clash over minor dispute

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 25: Mahadipur High School, situated near the Indo-Bangladesh border, turned into a virtual battlefield today after students clashed following a minor dispute over drinking water. The tension escalated when some outsiders entered the school premises and joined the scuffle, police said. It soon took a communal colour prompting the BSF jawans to intervene. “The BSF had to open fire to disperse the mob and bring the situation under control,” Malda SP Mr DK Mondal said. He added: “Four students were the main culprits behind the clash but as the teachers did not disclose their identity, we could not take action against them.” The in-charge of the school said the dispute flared up yesterday between students of two communities over the issue of drinking water in the school premises. “We had sorted out the problem yesterday. But some outsiders entered the school and created fresh problems today,” he told reporters. Mr Mondal said BSF officials rushed to the school and brought the situation under control, driving the troublemakers out of the school premises.#

E C to continue transfer policy

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 25: This is for the first time that the Election Commission of India has directed the execution of transfer policy for government officials serving a particular constituency before the by-poll election, the chief election officer, Mr Debasis Sen, said here today. Mr Sen pointed out that this transfer policy was initially applicable for general election only, but recently the EC instructed its implementation for the by-polls in West Bengal as well. Speaking to reporters here today, Mr Sen informed that the EC has also imposed restrictions on the movement of vehicles, including cycle rickshaws.The CEO, Mr Sen, also visited some areas here, especially those affected by drought and prone to flood. He said that there was possibility of floods in September in this region, mainly due to shortfall of rain till now. Keeping the flood possibility in mind, Mr Sen instructed concerned officials to make a list of the number of country boats and mechanised boats that may be needed as a part of the emergency requisition to conduct the Malda by-poll, scheduled for 16 September. He also requested the officials to maintain adequate stock of medicines in rural health centres (even those required for snake bites) to combat the situation of flood during by-poll here. Polling personnels will move around by boats and also walk to the polling stations, Mr Sen added. He said that the Malda administration has been able to issue 96 per cent electoral photo identity cards. The Malda district administration will launch a special drive from 7 to 12 September to issue EPICs to the remaining people.#

Violation of EC code alleged

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 25: Malda Congress MLA, Mr KN Chouhdury, submitted a letter to the Chief Election Officer of the state today protesting against the alleged circulation of anti-Congress leaflets by the CPI-M leaders here.The MLA claimed that the circulation of leaflets by the CPI-M has violated the election code of conduct in the run up to the Malda by-poll.It may be recalled that the CPI-M members circulated the leaflets yesterday in reply to the leaflets circulated by the district Congress president, Mrs Rubi Noor. With an objective to capture the Malda Lok Sabha seat in the forthcoming Malda by-poll, the Malda CPI-M has been circulating leaflets on various issues allegedly targeting Congress leaders. It has already damaged the image of some Congress leaders, including the Congress candidate, Mr Abu Hasem Khan Choudhury, the Congress leaders alleged.

Bangla man granted bail

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 25: In spite of an appeal by the Malda police to the court to remand the Bangladeshi national, Mr Badiruddin Alam (28), for interrogation in the wake of the sounding of high alert against possible terrorist attack in the country, the court today granted Mr Alam’s bail plea. Court authorities have, however, ordered the Bangladeshi national to stay in touch with the police for interrogation, said the Malda SP, Mr DK Mondal. It was learnt that Mr Alam entered India via the Mahadipur immigration check post yesterday. He was detained by the BSF and officials of the customs and immigration department at the Mahadipur check post yesterday, said the Malda SP, Mr DK Mondal.“We have not found any cognizable documents from him, but detained him for more interrogation following a terror alert across the country”, the SP said.#

Trade bandh
MALDA, Aug. 25: The Malda Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce have called a “business strike” on 2 September in the district to protest against frequent attacks on fruit merchants. A few days back, a group of miscreants assaulted the wholesale fruit merchants and demanded job in their shops. The MMCC today sent a letter, after staging protest in Malda town, to the Malda SP and demanded arrest of the criminals. n SNS

Robbery
MALDA, Aug. 25: A gang of 12 robbers looted a jewellery shop at Air View Complex in English Bazaar today. The owner of the jewellery house said that the robbers scampered away gold and silver jewelleries amounting to Rs 40,000 from his shop around 2 a.m. today. n SNS

BJP-Trinamul spat before by-poll

Statesman News Service

MALDA Aug. 24: The relationship between the BJP and the Trinamul Congress seemed to be deteriorating over the issue of the nomination of NDA candidates prior to the Malda Lok Sabha by-poll, political sources said today. Political observers say that there is a possible breach in the NDA alliance between the BJP and the Trinamul Congress in West Bengal over this issue. Addressing a Press conference in Malda today, the state BJP president, Mr Tathagata Roy, said: “I have discussed the issue in detail with the Trinamul supremo, Miss Mamata Banerjee over the phone, but I am not in a position to disclose details of the discussion now. I will speak about the finalisation of our candidate for Malda by-poll after attending a meeting in New Delhi tomorrow.” Mr Roy added that he was not in a position to declare the name of the BJP candidate officially as he had been waiting for an approval from the party’s central leadership. The Trinamul Congress has already approached the central leadership of the BJP and Miss Mamata Banerjee insisted on nominating their candidate in Malda by-poll. Miss Mamata Banerjee was determined to nominate a Trinamul Congress candidate here and if the BJP leaders did not agree on that issue, she might quit the NDA alliance, the district BJP leaders said. The Malda BJP has chosen Mr Biswapriya Roy Choudhury as its candidate and the state BJP president, Mr Tathagata Roy, has already recommended his name to the central selection committee for approval. On the other hand, the Malda Trinamul Congress has announced Mr Prakash Singhee as its candidate for Malda by-poll. “The district Trinamul leadership has no right to declare the name of its candidate without an approval from the state NDA alliance,” said Mr Tathagata Roy. In order to retain their grip on Malda, both the Trinamul Congress and the BJP leaders are demanding a Malda Lok Sabha seat here. “The BJP candidates have been contesting here for a long time. In the last three parliamentary elections, the BJP candidates contested for the NDA in Malda. Therefore our claim is more legitimate than theirs,” the state BJP president said. “The Trinamul Congress contested in five Assembly segments under the Malda parliamentary constituency in the last Assembly election. Our demand, therefore, is more legitimate,” said Mr Dulal Sarkar, the district Trinamul Congress chief.

Exodus of labourers in Malda

Manas R. Bannerjee

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 22: Thousands of labourers in Malda are leaving for other states in search of work not only because of the drought-like situation prevailing here but also due to implementation of the election code-of-conduct for Malda Lok Sabha by-poll scheduled for 16 September, political leaders said today.Political leaders said that owing to scarcity of rainfall, jute retting and transplantation of aman crop in the district was badly hit making life hard for the labourers.“Many people, mostly from the Barind belt have left for other states in search of work,” said Mr Jiban Moitra, the secretary of Malda CPI-M. “Had the administration arranged for confirmed employment schemes for the local labourers, they would not have gone to other states,” Mr Moitra said. A district official said that the additional district project coordinator yesterday issued a letter to the authorities concerned that the meeting for National Rural Employment Guarantee Schemes (NREGS) scheduled for 28 August has been cancelled, following the election code-of-conduct guidelines for the Malda by-poll. Several government programmes have been cancelled due to the Malda by-poll here, the officer added. “Agriculture officials too are facing problems in executing policies to fight the drought-like situation in the district fearing violation of the election code of conduct,” said Mr G Ahmed, the Malda principal agriculture officer. An officer bearer of Malda Zilla Parishad confirmed that labourers here are facing a difficult situation because of the election code of conduct.The CPI-M leader, Mr Jiban Moitra, said that due to the execution of the election code of conduct for the by-poll, many development schemes couldn’t be implemented on time in the district. Mr Moitra added that this has also hindered timely utilisation of funds for many developmental schemes. “The district will be deprived of extra funds next year owing to failure of producing utilisation certificates to the authorities,” he added. Mr Moitra claimed that the state has been facing this problem since January because the government employees, who play a key role in implementing developmental schemes were very busy with the revision of the electoral rolls. Political leaders are also worried about the large-scale exodus of labourers here fearing that they might not turn up to cast their votes.

Ghani Khan still the trump card in polls

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 22: The Congress is leaving no stone unturned to cash in on the sentimental wave created by the death of the veteran Congress leader, ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury, in the run up to the Malda Lok Sabha by-poll, scheduled for 16 September. Surprisingly, the late leader’s opponents too are seen harping on the same name during campaigns. Commenting on the effect on the party of the sentimental wave caused by the Congress stalwart’s death on the party, the Congress leader, Mr Soumitra Roy claimed that people would definitely cast votes in favour of the Congress in order to pay their “last respects” to Ghani Khan. The late Ghani Khan Choudhury ruled the roost here from 1980 onwards till his death prior to this year’s Assembly election. Malda is preparing for the by-poll sans the late Congress stalwart, ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury, for the first time in last 26 years. It was only in 1977 that Ghani Khan did not fight in the parliamentary election. The Malda by-poll now has put a new element to the Congress’s role of protecting late Ghani Khan’s younger brother, Mr Abu Hasem Khan Choudhury. The Malda Congress is reportedly in a trouble to prove its strength without the infallible ‘Barkatda’. The CPI-M has projected a senior leader and the state parliamentary minister, Mr Sailen Sarkar, from the seat, thus throwing a tough challenge to the Congress. PCC leaders, including the information and broadcasting minister, Mr Priya Ranjan Das Munshi, are scheduled to arrive here for electioneering. Senior CPI-M leaders from the state, including the chief minister, Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, are also scheduled to arrive here for poll campaign. Sources said that the CM would address election rallies in Malda on 11 and 12 September. Political observers have, however, stated that the fate of Mr Sailen Sarkar, who was defeated thrice by ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury, would depend on the political equation of other parties. Both the BJP and the Trinamul Congress are trying to nominate their candidates here separately. The main contest here would be between the Congress and the CPI-M. The CPI-M candidate, Mr Sailen Sarkar, may get a different kind of sympathy vote for this election for the first time in Ghani Khan Choudhury’s absence, political observers said.

FIR against Cong MLA

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 22: Trinamul Congress member of Malda Zilla Parishad, Mr Susanta Sarkar, today lodged an FIR against Mr KN Choudhury, the Congress MLA from English Bazaar. Mr Sarkar has alleged that the Congress MLA from English Bazaar threatened him with dire consequences after he refused to accept his unjustified proposals. Trinamul Congress members took out a rally today led by the present district chief of the party, Mr Dulal Sarkar, to protest against the incident and lodged an FIR with the English Bazaar police station. Mr Sarkar was very close to Mr KN Choudhury when he was the district president of the Trinamul Congress before joining Congress. Mr KN Choudhury said: “I requested him to take up some development works in my area, but he took it sentimentally.” Sources said that Mr Susanta Sarkar had been threatened not to attend a convention organised by the Trinamul Congress recently at Malda town. Mr Dulal Sarkar allegedly took the opportunity to teach a lesson to Mr KN Choudhury after the incident.

Drought alert in N Bengal

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 21: Employees of the agriculture and irrigation departments in North Bengal have been asked not to take leave in the face of a drought-like situation in the region. They have also been instructed to make arrangements for distribution of water free of cost to the farmers for aman plantation and jute retting.Though the cut off date for transplantation of crops is over, the farmers are willing to transplant aman crop to make up for the losses they suffered, at least at the last stage. The entire North Bengal region has been reeling under an unprecedented drought-like situation, owing to scanty rainfall in July and August. “This is for the first time in the last 10 years that the region has faced such a drought- like situation,” an official of the agriculture department, said. “The estimated loss of aman crops has been estimated over Rs 90 crore so far and it may go up if the dry spell continues,” said Mr G Ahmed, principal agriculture officer of Malda. On other hand, the farmers alleged that they are not getting sufficient water supplied by the “agri-mech” department for aman crop transplantation and jute retting. “Owing to a communication gap, we have been facing problems to distribute water to the needy farmers. When the agriculture development officials prepared a list of farmers, the local agri-mech officials denied to provide water to them, on the ground that they had not received any such order from their authorities,” said an officer of the agriculture department. The ADOs have been asked to make a list of farmers who are willing to take water from the government to save transplanted aman crops. “We are facing problems to save the transplanted aman crops in some areas,” the Malda PAO, said. The executive engineer, agri-mech division 1, Mr AK Nag, said that he has convened a meeting with the assistant engineer concerned to supply water to the farmers in advance after reviving the defunct unit to fight the drought-like situation. He said that he has urged all his staff not take leave at this moment. It’s not just aman crop and jute retting, even saplings planted in Hemtabad, Kaliyaganj and Itahar blocks of North Dinajpur district, have been affected by the prevailing drought-like situation in the district. A few months back, the Raiganj social forestry division had planted nearly one lakh saplings along roads at Itahar, Kaliyaganj and Hemtabad under the Rashtriya Sama Vikash Yojana, a Central government project. Around 40 thousand saplings have dried up in the absence of adequate rainfall. A large number of saplings are on the verge of getting affected. The forest officials, too, are upset with the drying up of saplings in the district. Mr AK Das, the divisional forest officer of Raiganj social forestry division, said: “The saplings were planted along roadsides in the rural areas and were being looked after by our staff. As water has vanished from all the roadside ditches and the nearby ponds due to the present dry spell, more than 40 per cent saplings have dried up in Hemtabad, Kaliyaganj and Itahar blocks. If it does not rain in the next seven days, more plants would be affected. We have sought help from the panchayat members of the locality and they have been requested to co-operate with the forest staff.”

Six Maoists arrested

MALDA, Aug 20: Six suspected Maoist activists were arrested from Olandar village in Bamongola yesterday. They have been identified as Mainuddin, Mamun Choudhury, Hasimuddin Mondal, Mahidur Sarkar and Sirazul, police said today. A police official said that some papers indicating links with the Maoists were recovered from the possession of the six arrested persons yesterday. The Malda SP said that the persons arrested from Bamongola yesterday were Maoist activists, who were trying to form a base camp here. Police had arrested three suspected Maoist activists from the same Bamongola area on the charge of allegedly providing shelter to Maoist leaders here, few days ago. It was learnt that the six suspected Maoist activists arrested by police yesterday were holding a meeting at the house of one Sirazul Shiekh here. n SNS

Arsenic in rat hole water

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 20: Examination of the sample of hot water collected from the rat hole in a paddy field at Kailashpur village here by experts from the Geological Survey of India Mr Asim Mukherjee, a chemist and Mr Chobentheng Yanthan, geologist has revealed a high concentration of arsenic in it. The district magistrate, Mr Chittaranjan Das, said he wanted to know about sulphur contamination in the hot water collected from the rat hole. Mr Das said: “The GSI experts have stated about arsenic contamination in the water sample collected from the rat hole.” Ms Kasturi Sengupta, the BDO of Old Malda block, said the GSI experts did not find the water temperature hot after digging up another hole near to the rat hole, from which the sample water was collected. She said the temperature of the water was cool in the nearby area. “The GSI team also collected water sample and soil from the spot and said that their composition was such that it turned ground water temperature in the area hot,” Ms Sengupta added. If the report of arsenic contamination in the sample water in this area is positive, a fresh survey would be conducted here by the public health engineering department with a view to find out alternative source of drinking water, said an administrative officer.

Criminals attack policemen

MALDA, Aug 18: Four police officials were attacked by criminals at Chaspara village under Kaliachak police station today, when they reached the village to sort out a clash between two groups. Malda SP Mr Dilip Mondal said that police had to open fire in the air to disperse the criminals after they attacked the police officials by throwing bombs. Mr Mondal said that nobody was wounded in police firing. Police today rushed to Chaspara village on receiving information that two groups of criminals had got involved in a clash. The criminals reportedly hurled bombs paralysing normal life of locals in Chaspara under Kaliachak police station. Police said that nobody has been arrested so far, but police are raiding the area to nab the culprits.“The criminals took advantage of the fact that a new inspector-in-charge has been appointed for Kalichak police station after the transfer of Mr Timir Banerjee,” said Mr Mondal.n SNS

Man held with fake currency notes

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 18: Police arrested a man and seized 10 notes of Rs 1000 denomination here today. The man was arrested after authorities from the State Bank of India informed police that the man had deposited a huge sum in fake currency at the bank today. The Malda SP, Mr DK Mondal, said that police would send the notes to Nasik where authorities concerned will finally declare if the currency notes were fake. #

Drought fear looms large over North Bengal

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 17: The district administration and the farmers’ community are worried about the prevailing drought-like condition in this region. Other places affected by the dry spell include North Bengal and the north-eastern region including Assam. It is being feared that the agricultural sector as well as tea plantation may be badly hit, in case this drought-like condition continues for a longer period, officials said today. Temperatures have been soaring in this region since the last few days. Due to this, farmers have been unable to transplant aman crop in the absence of rainfall as per the 15 August “dead line” set by the administration in Malda, North Dinajpur and South Dinajpur districts. The Malda agriculture department has identified three blocks ~ Gazole, Habibpur and Old Malda ~ as worst affected. Owing to lack of river lifting irrigation, most farmers here could not cultivate aman crop this year. This has also adversely affected the retting of jute crop in this region. Reportedly, this district has recorded a shortfall of 700 mm of rainfall out of the 1,450 mm received on an average. Malda irrigation officials said that the northern region has not received sufficient rain till now. Today, officials recorded water-level of the Ganges at Manikchak ghaat in Malda as 23.40 metres. This year, the highest water-level recorded in the Ganges was 23.48 metres in July. It was found that by this time the previous year, the water-level in the Ganges was much higher. As per forecast by meteorological officials, rain or thundershowers are likely to occur at places over Orissa and Gangetic West Bengal at a few places over sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim. In North-east India, (Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland , Manipur and Tripura , Assam and Meghalaya), rain or thundershowers are likely at a few places.

1 held in Taneja case

Statesman News Service

MALDA Aug. 17: Police arrested a woman brothel owner today allegedly for killing a Haryana girl, Ritu Taneja on 13 August at Hansagiri Lane, English Bazaar. The victim was allegedly set ablaze by the arrested person and her accomplices following her refusal to taking to prostitution. The police were looking for the alleged culprits since Sunday night after they fled their homes. On receiving information about the victim’s fate, the brother and father of Ritu arrived at Malda today and met the police. The Malda SP, Mr Dilip Mondal, said that proper action would be taken against the culprits to discourage such inhuman acts in future. The Malda unit of the Association for Protection of Democratic Rights has also taken up the issue and has decided to launch a protest programme against the incident.The APDR convened a meeting yesterday and decided to apprise the National Human Rights Commission and the state human rights commission, Haryana and other authorities concerned about the incident. The APDR has also decided to make its own investigation into the matter and prepare a report on how the brothel functioned with the help of traffickers and forced girls including minors into flesh trade. Mr. Goutam Choudhury, executive committee member of Malda APDR, said : “Many girls have been killed here when they refused to take to prostitution. The victims were cremated without arousing suspicion. No body knows what exactly has been happening here all these years. This is the first time an incident has come to light.”“We would submit our investigation report to the human rights commission demanding proper inquiry into the case and an appeal to check such crime in future,” Mr Choudhury said.

Two held for Maoist links

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 16: Two persons were arrested from Rangapukur village under Bamongola police station here, the Malda SP, Mr Dilip Mondal, said today. The duo have been identified as Hopna Tudu and Lodhia Tudu, who allegedly used to provide shelter to Maoist activists operating in this region on a regular basis. “We arrested them on the charge of providing shelter to Maoist activists here, who collect subscription forcibly from local residents,” said Mr Dilip Mondal, Malda SP. “A few days ago, the activists had collected subscription from the government doctors working at the Modipukur health centre in Bamongola police station area,” Mr Mondal said. Mr Mondal added that police was on the lookout for two other Maoist activists operating here. One of them Jishnu alias Gora, was arrested from Malda town by Midnapore police a year ago. Another activist is Noor Mohammad, the Malda SP stated. A Maoist group is operating in Bamongola and Habibpur areas of late, he said. He said police have recovered certain leaflets from the houses of the duo arrested yesterday and have decided to take them under police custody seeking court order to know about the whereabouts of other Maoist activists. Six years ago, People’s War Group was formed at Harishchandrapur village here which started operating in the tribal belts. The area from where the police arrested the two suspected Maoist linkmen is dominated by the KPP and the KLO activists.

Police guard Ritu case

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 16: A girl who was forcibly kept in the Hansagiri red-light area here, has agreed to appear as an eye-witness in Ritu Taneja’s case. The Haryana girl, Ritu Taneja, was allegedly set ablaze by the brothel owners for refusing to take to prostitution on 13 August. Police have kept the eye-witness under their protection. The girl, who had agreed to appear as an eyewitness, wished to return home after the case is over, said Malda SP Mr Dilip Mondal. It was learnt that the accused persons named in the FIR, including a female leader of the Hansagiri red-light area, were not found at their homes. Police is, however, trying to track them down on the charge of setting Ritu Taneja on fire alive. It was the locals who extended help to Ritu on 13 August, while she was fleeing from the flesh trade racketeers with burns on her body and immediately rushed her to the Malda district hospital where she succumbed to her injuries on 14 August. Ritu was allegedly lured with better job prospects by some girls and brought to this place, a senior police officer said. Police have asked the family members of Ritu Teneja to take charge of her body. Police conducted postmortem after her death. Owing to Ritu’s sudden death, police could not collect exact information about the chain of racketeers involved in inter-state flesh trade. The other girl, who is under police shelter, is providing information to police to bust the flesh trade racket operating in the Hansagiri Lane red light area at English Bazaar town.

Girl set ablaze by traffickers dies

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 14: Ritu Taneja (20), who was allegedly set ablaze by flesh trade racketeers yesterday for refusing to take up prostitution, succumbed to her injuries at the Malda district hospital today. Police said that Ritu was brought to the red-light area at Hansagiri Lane in English Bazaar town three days back from Haryana. The brothel-owners set her ablaze after she refused to take to prostitution. Malda SP Mr DK Mondal said that the accused person named in the FIR had fled the area after the incident. But, Mr Mondal assured that the police would soon nab the kingpins of the flesh-trade racket here. Locals yesterday extended help to Ritu while she was fleeing from the flesh trade racketeers after being set ablaze. They rushed her to the district hospital in a critical condition and later informed police about the matter. Sources said that the flesh trade racketeers wanted to kill Ritu not only because she refused to take to prostitution, she also threatened them that she would disclose everything to the police. An investigating officer said that the accused threw kerosene on Ritu and set her ablaze when she tried to flee. Many minor girls had been rescued from the Hansagiri Lane in English Bazaar town in the past few years who were forced to take up prostitution.

Bomb in school bag

MALDA, Aug. 14: Classes were suspended at Durlavpur High School in Kaliachak II block after a hand-made bomb was recovered from a Class X student today. The Malda SP, Mr DK Mondal, said that police were confused after interrogating the students, who had brought the bomb in a handbag to the school today. Sudeb Mandal and Samit Mandal, the students of the school, informed the police that a man forced them to carry the handbag containing the bomb to school at Amrity in English Bazaar. “The students were reluctant to accept the handbag but were forced to do so. After reaching the school, they left the handbag along with their bicycles outside,” police said. It was learnt that another student, who detected the handbag, informed the class teacher about it. “We need to do more investigation in order to know the exact motive behind the plot. Mr Mondal said. n SNS

Women protest , commuters suffer

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 14: Vehicular movement was temporary paralysed in the English Bazaar town today owing to a traffic congestion caused by thousands of women, who had gathered for a protest rally organised by the CPI-M. The rally was convened at Brindabani play ground by the CPI-M backed women’s wing, with support from other Left Front backed women’s organisations of the district. It was learnt that the rally was organised due to a number of reasons. A crucial reason behind organising this rally was to protest against a Congress MLA, who allegedly slapped a woman panchayat member during a meeting in English Bazaar block a few days ago. Another reason behind organising this rally was to campaign for the Malda Lok Sabha by-poll as well as to highlight a 10-point charter of demands. The state minister for parliamentary affairs, Mr Sailen Sarkar, former state minister and CPI-M leader, Mrs Minati Ghosh, as well as other MLAs were present in the rally. Mr Sailen Sarkar lashed out at the Congress leaders, including the district Congress president, Mrs Rubi Noor and Congress MLA, Mr KN Choudhury, during the rally. Mr Sarkar alleged that Mr KN Choudhury was an accused in twin murder case of Bihar and that the police are not taking any action against him.

Girl fleeing traffickers set ablaze

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 13: Flesh trade racketeers allegedly set a girl on fire when she refused to take to prostitution at Hansagiri Lane, a red light area in English Bazaar town today, police said. Police also said the girl Ritu Taneja ( 20), was brought here from Haryana two days back. Local people extended help to her when she was fleeing with burns around afternoon today, eye witnesses said. She was admitted to the district hospital by locals and her condition was stated to be critical. She was lured by some other girls who offered her a better job here, a senior police officer said, after initiating a case on it. “The pimps and owner of the brothel were forcing her to take to prostitution,” said Ms Atryee Sen , the investigating officer. “They threw kerosene and set her ablaze when she was trying to flee,” Ms Sen added. However, the inmates of the red light area are denying the charges. The upper portion of her body was seriously burnt, doctors said. It was learnt that she reportedly identified one of the girls who set fire on her. Police have started investigation to nab the culprits soon. Many minor girls were rescued from Hansagiri Lane in English Bazaar town in the past few years, who were forced into prostitution.

Trinamul says it bye to BJP

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 13: The Trinamul Congress today named its candidate for the Malda Lok Sabha by-poll. Mr Prakash Singhee, who joined the party recently leaving the Congress, will be fighting on a Trinamul ticket from Malda this year.At a convention organised here today, the Malda district Trinamul chief, Mr Dulal Sarkar, said this year they will “experimentally” not go with an alliance with the BJP in the Lok Sabha by-poll. “The objective of this decision is to examine our organisational strength,” Mr Sarkar said. On the other hand, the BJP leaders are planning to field a local Hindu candidate from Malda to bag votes, particularly in the Habibpur assembly segment. The BJP had earlier used its Muslim candidates thrice to take on the former MP, ABA Ghani Choudhury, but failed. The district BJP leadership has sent the names of 13 prospective candidates from the district to the state leaders for their final nod. It may be recalled that the BJP had been able to increase its vote bank remarkably and the Congress saw a sharp drop in its vote bank at Habibpur in the recently concluded assembly polls. In today’s convention, state leaders of the Trinamul Congress, including Mr Mukul Roy, Mr Madan Mitra and Mr Sultan Ahmed, were present.

4 Killed , 30 injured in twin accidents

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 13: Four persons were killed and 30 others were injured in two separate road accidents in Malda, police said today. An overcrowded taxi lost control and overturned at Amrity in English Bazaar police station area yesterday, killing four persons and injuring at least 25 passengers, including many students, police said. On the other hand, a prison van collided with a lorry on NH-34 in Malda police station late last night, injuring five people, including two under-trials. A police team from Jalpaiguri had been returning from Kolkata along with the undertrials when the accident occurred. The under-trials were taken to Kolkata for treatment, police said. The Malda district magistrate, Mr Chittaranjan Das, yesterday visited the Malda district hospital where the injured passengers of the taxi were admitted.

Hot water sample sent for test to Kolkata

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 13: The sample of the hot water that is being emitted from a rat hole in a paddy field at Kailashpur village here since Tuesday has been sent by the local PHE department to its Kolkata office for Sulphur testing owing to inadequate infrastructure here, the Malda district magistrate, Mr Chittaranjan Das, said. Mr Das informed that he has also communicated the matter to the director of the Geological Survey of India via fax.A team of Geological Survey of India (GSI) experts is expected to visit the region by next week, he said. The Malda DM said he wanted to know if the water contained Sulphur as this might also turn out be a source of spring water.It was learnt that the Malda DM has deployed police forces to control the visiting people, who gather everyday to see the hot water being emitted from the rat hole at Kailashpur village.Some of them reportedly tried to collect the water for drinking purpose hoping it to contain curing properties of hot spring water.They have been advised by the administration to defer from doing so.

Villagers throng site of mystery

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 11: The mystery of the emission hot water from a rat hole in a paddy field at Kailashpur village in Old Malda block is attracting people from far and near in hordes. Ignoring the instructions of the administration, many onlookers have also started collecting the water for drinking purpose, hoping that it may cure acute abdominal and skin ailments. Mr Asit Sarkar, the chief of Muchia Gram Panchayat said that the onlookers have now started collecting the hot water to cure ailments, thinking it to contain curing properties of hot water springs of Rajgir and Bakreshwar. “We have already instructed people not to drink the water”, Mr Sarkar added. It may be recalled that the emission of hot water from the rat hole initiated on Tuesday and the administration is still trying to solve the mystery behind this unusual incident. Concerned authorities here have now reportedly sought help from the geological experts. Malda additional district magistrate, Mr A Khaleque, said that the administration has alerted everybody not to drink the water.” An MSc in Chmeistry, Mr Khaleque said: “I did not get any smell of Sulphur from water sample sent by the SDO yesterday”. He admitted that it was however interesting as the water was still hot even when it was brought to him after few hours of its collection from the said rat hole. The Malda ADM informed that the district magistrate has asked the geological department to look into the matter. The GSI experts will consult with engineers of the local PHE department here about the chemical composition of the water. “Police forces have been deployed there to control the hundreds of visitors to the Kailashpur village located one km from the Indo-Bangladesh border. The venue has turned into a place for funfare with locals setting up temporary food stalls there for business purpose”, panchayat officials said. Some Malda residents are upbeat about developing the region as a tourism hub on the basis of spring water source. However, no report of Sulphur content in the sample water has been reported by the PHE department here. An engineer of a government department said: “We can not ignore Sulphur content because there was a residual mountain in the Barind belt many years ago”. The block officials have urged the local people not to spread any provocative message or rumours that may cause panic among residents creating another trouble in this border area.

Perform or perish , schools told

Manas R Bannerjee

MALDA, Aug. 11: The Malda district inspector of schools, secondary education, has identified 31 schools as poor performers in the field of education, on the basis of the school’s Madhyamik results. Concerned authorities have been asked by the DI to prepare an action taken report (ATR) on the bad performance of students in these 31 schools. The authorities informed that the salary of the teachers would remain suspended until the submission of the ATR. Mr Tapan Basu, the Malda DI, said: “Following the government’s order, we decided to take up these measures. We are planning to extend all assistance to these 31 schools identified as poor academic performers to help them improve their institutions”.Mr Basu said that the state government has instructed that these 31 schools will have to show minimum 41 per cent pass out percentage in the Madhyamik examination. He further said that notices would be circulated to authorities of all government-aided schools asking them to mention important information about their schools. The school authorities have been especially asked to inform in the report about teachers providing private tuition, position of the service books for each teachers, position of papers for pension schemes and other details. “We are planning to update all papers related to the teachers’ pension by 2007,” the DI said.He also mentioned that the school authorities are directed to make pension papers ready at least 18 months before the teachers’ retirement, but often they failed to carry out the government’s instructions. “Some school authorities intentionally do not submit pension papers on time, but when we object to such anomalies, they go to the Court directly. It is a peculiar feature among teachers of this district. So, we have taken these steps,” the DI added. SNS

Hot water keeps coming

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 10: In a bid to solve the mystery surrounding the emission of hot water from a rat hole in a paddy field at Kailashpur village in Old Malda block, the Malda district magistrate, Mr Chittaranjan Das, today contacted the Geological Survey of India officials to help locals solve this mystery.

It was learnt that the Malda DM has asked the GSI authorities to find out if there is a scientific reason behind the emission of hot water from the rat hole.

The block development officer, Ms Kasturi Sengupta, collected the water sample from the rat hole yesterday and submitted her report to the Malda DM, suggesting him to order a chemical test to be carried out.

Mr Chittaranjan Das has sent the water sample to the Public Health Engineering department for chemical testing and is now seeking help from the geology experts to find out the reason behind this unusual incidence.

Reportedly, the water sample tested at the local PHE lab has been found normal.

Yet, concerned officials have planned to send the water sample to a bigger lab for sulphur composition testing.

The Malda district magistrate today instructed sub-divisional officer, headquarters, Mrs Arunima De, to visit the spot and find out any new development.

Villagers here are still petrified by this unusual occurrence and are visiting in hordes to see the hot water being emitted from the rat hole in Kailashpur village here in spite of heavy rainfall received last night.

The BDO also visited the area yesterday and called for stationing of police forces there to control the hundreds of villagers, who have gathered there to watch the hot water emission.

The pradhan of Muchia Gram Panchayat, Mr Asit Sarkar, said that the rat hole is still emitting hot water, a process that began last Tuesday and that even the adjoining water bodies have now heated up.

He said: “ Farmers are apprehensive about its possible effect on the aman cultivation in the adjoining areas”.

The block development officer, Ms Kasturi Sengupta, said: “Villagers told me that green grass surrounding the rat hole has dried up after the emission of hot water initiated. They even boiled potatoes and eggs in the rat hole and they were tested to be okay. I have reported the matter to the DM”. #

Hot water mystery unnerves villagers

Manas R. Bannerjee
Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 9: Panic gripped the residents of Kailashpur village and its surrounding areas in Old Malda block when they reportedly saw boiling water, with steam, coming out from a rat hole in a paddy field yesterday, panchayat officials said.Farmers of Sindhia and Kailashpur villages, 10 km east of English Bazaar town, feared that the unusual occurrence would affect aman paddy crops in the. Panchayat officials, however, failed to explain the scientific cause behind the episode.“It is a peculiar thing and the one we have witnessed for the first time”, Mr Asit Sarkar, pradhan of Muchia gram panchayat in Old Malda block, said. “We have kept electricity disconnected in the area since yesterday. Hot waters, however, continued to emerge from the rat hole till this morning. Since an electric pole lies close to the rat hole, we are taking no risk,” Mr Sarkar said. He added that they have brought the matter to the notice of the concerned block development officer.Today, hundreds of curious villagers, especially children, thronged the spot to watch the incidence. Police officials also visited the spot to take stock of the situation. “We don’t know the root cause of the development but the villagers’ apprehension is understandable,” said a police officer of Muchia. The joint BDO of the Old Malda block, Ms Sangita Talapatra, said: “We have got the information from the gram panchayat officials. The BDO has also visited the spot and will submit his report to the district head quarters soon. Had the geological experts appointed here, the mystery would have been resolved much more earlier.”The mystery would been resolved much more earlier.”

Pic collected from site .

I-Day alert

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 9: The inspector general of police (law and order) has instructed senior police officials to step up vigilance along the Indo-Bangladesh border on the eve of the Independence Day.A senior police official informed that the IG held a meeting with SPs and other concerned officials in Siliguri yesterday to chalk out measures for security arrangements on Independence Day in the border region. Malda SP, Mr DK Mondal, said they received information from the intelligence branch that ‘extremists’ may try to cross the Indo-Bangladesh border just before the Independence Day with a motive to create unrest in the region. The SP said that they will hold a special meeting with the border security forces on 11 August to discuss about security arrangemests.

North Bengal drought worries CM

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 9: Chief minister, Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, has expressed his concern over the prevailing drought-like situation in the four districts of north Bengal — North Dianjpur, South Dinajpur, Malda and Cooch Behar — as it has adversely affected the transplantation of aman crops, agriculture officials said today.The minister for agriculture convened a two-day meeting on 7 August and 8 August with senior officials at the Writers’ Building in Kolkata to discuss all possible measures that can be applied to tackle the drought-like situation in the four districts. Agriculture officials have been instructed to tell farmers to increase the density of aman paddy while sowing, in case of rainfall in coming three-four days. The agricultural officials have also been asked to instruct farmers to complete transplantation of aman crops by 15 August, as there will not be any scope to cultivate them later.It may be recalled that farmers were unable to transplant aman crops owing to insufficient rainfall in the four districts. “Malda farmers were unable to transplant aman in a major portion of the1.40 lakh hectare presently under aman cultivation owing to scarcity of rain”, said Mr G Ahmed, the Malda principal agriculture officer.The Malda PAO said that there was a shortfall of 200 mm of rainfall recorded till 31 July. A reliable source informed that the district agriculture chalked out a contingent plan to compensate the farmers for crops because of the ongoing drought-like situation here. The plan has been submitted before the DM, who has already gone thorough the proposal and forwarded it to the concerned department. The Malda agriculture department has demanded 50,000 pieces of mini jute bags for Kalai pulse, 10,000 mini jute bags for maize and 25,000 mini jute bags for early muster seeds for their distribution among farmers, who could not transplant the aman this season. Cooch Behar, North Dinajpur and South Dinajpur officials too have put forward the same demand before the administration. “The top agriculture officials are planning to make up the losses of farmers in Rabi crop seasons”, said Mr Ahmed.

Political game over Nalagola clash

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 8: The issue of communal unrest at Nalagola following the attempt to rape and murder of a 12 year-old girl on 28 July allegedly by three youths of a minority community here, is fast turning into a political blame-game. It was learnt that Malda Congress is in trouble on the issue of Nalagola communal violence after political statements by the CPI-M and the BJP recently. In a counter-statement, Malda Congress leaders today criticised CPI-M members for allegedly circulating leaflets accusing them as the conspirators of the communal violence at Nalagola in Bamongola following the attempt to rape and murder of a local 12 year-old girl. Addressing a press conference here today, the Congress district president, Mrs Rubi Noor, said that Mr Sailen Sarkar, the minister for state parliamentary affairs, intentionally blamed Congress leaders and former MLAs, Mr AH Khan Choudhury and Mr Mostaque Alam for the communal clash at Nalagola. Mrs Noor further challenged Mr Sailen Sarkar to prove his allegations leveled against the two Congress leaders, failing which she demanded Mr Sarkar to quit his ministerial post. Blaming the CPI-M members for creating communal unrest at Nalagola, Mrs Rubi Noor alleged that Mr Sailen Sarkar wants to terrorise the local people before the by-poll in Malda district”. Mr AH Khan Choudhury, brother of the late Congress stalwart, who is also the contesting Congress candidate for Lok Sabha by-poll here, said: “ A group of non-Congress people tried to prevent me from delivering a speech on the issue of the murder of the 12 year old local girl”. Mr Sailen Sarkar, on the other hand, told reporters on Saturday that local residents here were adamant not to hear the speech delivered by Mr AH Khan Choudhury and Mr Mostaque Alam. Yet, when they continued with their speeches, they were attacked by BJP people “.Mr Sarkar further added that the situation was beyond control after the fundamentalist group started voicing slogan of ‘kill Muslim’. They also roughed up two Muslim CPI-M workers, when they were returning from the Nalagola high school after attending a party programme.

Minister not happy with FBP's anti-erosion work

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 8: Mr Sailen Sarkar, the state parliamentary affairs minister, has said that a team comprising 25 members of state Assembly would leave for New Delhi this week to discuss the severe flood and erosion problems here and put forward a proposal for more fund allotment for the state to tackle this menace. Mr Sarkar also expressed his unhappiness over the anti-erosion work being carried out by the Farakka Barrage Project along the left bank of the Ganges in Kaliachak II. It was learnt that Mr Sailen Sarkar had planned to submit a copy of the suggestions made by the district officials and experts, including the general manager of the FBP, Mr MU Gani, on the present situation of the Ganges and the issue of anti- erosion measures executed, but general manager of the FBP allegedly did not put his signature in the minutes. Mr MU Gani reportedly complained about the problem of staff shortage and fund crunch standing in the way of executing further anti-erosion works along the left bank of the river Ganges in Malda. Mr Gani’s statement has also been noted down in the minutes. Local villagers, on the other hand, fear onslaught of fresh erosion along the left banks of the Ganges because of alleged improper maintenance of the anti-erosion works executed in the region last year. The GM of FBP, Mr Gani, has however, assured villagers that the left bank of the Ganges would remain intact and no further erosion would ake place here.It may be recalled that the FBP general manager, Mr Gani, was heckled by the villagers at Ramlaltola, when he had visited the erosion-affected zone few day ago. The villagers were reportedly irked as a large portion of anti-erosion work carried out by FBP here had been gobbled up recently. Sources said that anti-erosion work was carried out along the 1.5 km stretch on the left bank of the Ganges in Kaliachak II by the state irrigation department last year, but allegedly proper maintenance was not taken up here by concerned authorities. Similarly, nearly anti-erosion work on 1.8 km stretch completed by FBP authorities here last year is lying in a neglected state.This year, the FBP authorities had taken up over 2 km-long fresh bank line protection work downstream starting from the end point of the earlier work.Local villagers here are spending sleepless nights fearing fresh erosion to hit the shores anytime.

Battle lines drawn for Malda by-poll

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 7: Malda CPI-M district leadership has probed into a number of burning issues in the Malda by-poll campaign for contesting Mr AH Khan Choudhury, the brother of the late Congress stalwart, ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury. The by-poll issues cover a wide spectrum, from the welfare of the minority , erosion problem along the Ganges, rehabilitation of victims of erosion, to the recovery of eroded lands in Jharkhand and the dilemma of the farmers along the Indo-Bangladesh border area. It was reported that Mr Jiban Moitra, the CPI-M district secretary, published a 28 page-booklet on Left Front government’s continual effort for the development and welfare of the minority community. The booklet too, primarily deals with the topic of development and the welfare of the minority community. Taking advantage of the ministerial post held by Mr Sailen Sarkar, state parliamentary affairs minister, who is also likely to contest against Mr AH Khan Choudhury, Mr Moitra, reportedly has made a compilation of documents, procured from the Assembly along with published speeches of chief minister, Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and Mr Abdus Sattar, minister for minority development and welfare, dealing with the issue of minority development, delivered in the Assembly session of June 2006. The booklet especially highlights the proposed budget for 2006-07 the related debates, discussions and speeches delivered by Mr Abdus Sattar. The booklet contains documents of speeches on issues of minority development and welfare, development of madrasa education and allotment of its budget for the financial year 2006-07. The booklet further mentions that Mr Abdus Sattar had proposed a grant of Rs 13.11 crore for the welfare of the minority community. Mr Sattar’s speech in the booklet also claimed that the Left Front government was working towards its target “Vision 2020” for the same purpose. Mr Sattar said: “While the Centre has spent Rs 83.89 crore for the country, the state government is solely spending Rs 130 crore.” The booklet said that the West Bengal Minority Development and Financial Corporation has sanctioned Rs 2,944.43 lakh as loan to 12,524 beneficiaries in 2005-06 for setting up self employment units.#

Fresh teachers face scrutiny

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 7: The district inspector of schools (secondary education) has expedited the verification of some fake educational certificates allegedly submitted by certain newly appointed teachers of schools and madrassas. Suspecting 25 such educational certificates to be fake ones, the district inspector of schools recently forwarded these to various boards, councils and universities for verification.Authorities said most of the certificates have been sent to universities located outside the state of West Bengal. The district inspector of schools, Mr Tapan Basu, said: “If we find that these educational certificates submitted by the teachers are fake, we will not be disburse their salary.”. Mr Basu pointed that the said certificates are suspected to be technically misleading and has thus been sent to concerned authorities for verification. Sources said that a group of teachers have been appointed as assistant teachers recently who have managed higher education certificates from Gasiramdas University in Vilaspur, Chattishgarh, Sidhu Kanhu (Murmu) University at Dumka in Jharkhand, Tilka Majhi University in Bhagalpur in Bihar, Chhatrapati Sahuji Maharaj University in Kanpur and others. The district inspector of schools pointed out major focus is being to the verification of certificates that are carrying the name of universities not mentioned in the list of institutions affiliated to the University Grant Commission up to 1985. “ We need to update and verify all certificates through the internet as all universities upload their yearly results on it, just like the board of secondary and higher education”, Mr Basu disclosed. “We have spoken to the SSC authorities about the matter and requested them to keep close watch on submitted educational certificates, as the practice of procuring fake certificates of higher education is widespread here”, Mr Basu said.#

Peasants fire salvo

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 6: Senior CPI-M leaders would become upset if they go through the resolution on government’s policy on agricultural land industrialisation, adopted by the RSP-backed peasant wing at a recently concluded state conference in Kolkata.Sanjukta Kishan Sabha (SKS), an RSP-backed peasant wing, criticised the government’s “proximity” with the industrialists. In its printed report, the organisation has also criticised the government’s “directionless” decision of allotting the land at Singur to the Tata group for manufacture of vehicles.“It is unfortunate that lands are being allotted to the industrialists. Even the East India Company did not give up the lands for establishment of jute factories along the Ganga belts on a free hold basis,” Mr Ashok Choudhury, president of SKS, said in the report.They alleged that the government had not taken the consent of the State Planning Board while okaying the projects. The planning committee has for long been defunct, they further alleged. The report also claimed that the state at present has 16,67,085 hectares of non-agricultural land which could be used for industry. “Without making the proper land map, the government is harping on the agricultural lands just to satisfy the demand of the industrialists,” the report said.

Minister blames Congress for clash

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 6: The state parliamentary affairs minister, Mr Sailen Sarkar, has held the Malda Congress leaders responsible for the “communal violence” that rocked the Nalagola areas in Malda’s Bamangola police station area recently over the alleged attempt to rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl by three youths of a minority community.Addressing a press conference here last night, Mr Sarkar, said: “The BJP can create communal unrest, but how a secular party like the Congress, can do so?” Mr Sarkar asked. He said that the Congress leaders wanted to a play a narrow game of communal politics with the help of the BJP, but ultimately failed to control the fundamentalist groups which attacked them reacting to their speeches. “In a bid to safeguard their so-called secular image, the Congress leaders are blaming the CPI-M for the clash”, the minister, said. It may be recalled that the local Congress leaders had organised several meetings in Malda town and Kaliachak, and blamed the CPI-M for the clashes. The police, too, had organised a peace meeting with leaders of all political parties at Nalagola yesterday in order to restore peace and communal harmony in the area. The BJP leaders, however, criticised the district administration’s move to clamp Section 144 CrPC at Nalagola.there. The police officials, meanwhile, said that Section 144 Cr PC would continue in the area until peace is restored there. The police are in search of the kingpins of the incident. So far, 13 persons have been arrested on chares of initiating the clash.

Section 144 Cr PC imposed on Nalagola

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 4: The Malda district administration has promulgated Section 144 CrPC at Nalagola and its adjoining areas to defuse communal tension and possibility of a further clash on the issue of alleged attempt to rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl by three youths of a minority community in Bamongola on 28 July, police said today.

Malda ASP, Mr Debashis Boral, said that RAF headed by senior police officials have been deployed in sensitive zones here to prevent troublemakers from spreading rumours and aggravating tension.

Mr Boral said that his department has planned to hold a meeting with all political parties tomorrow to check further clash on this issue.

He also urged residents to ignore rumours and handle this sensitive situation calmly and intelligently.

Trouble broke out at a meeting organised by district Congress leaders yesterday, when CPI-M worker, Mohd Mojammel, was beaten up by some Hindu fundamentalists, on the issue of the attempt to rape and murder of the 12-year old girl on 28 July, police said.

Police said the group that attended the Congress meeting yesterday had allegedly preplanned to boycott it from the very beginning.

When police rescued the said CPI-M worker and arrested four persons for creating chaos, the situation just went out of control.

“The anti-socials attacked the district Congress leaders present on the stage yesterday, attacked the police outpost and also damaged the car of the Congress sabhadhipati,” a senior officer said.

Congress leaders like Mr Goutam Chakraborty ( sabhadhipati), Mrs Sabitri Mitra ( MLA of Araidanga) and former MLA and candidate for Malda Lok Sabha by-poll, Mr AH Khan Choudhury, were present during the district Congress meeting yesterday, in which the clash broke out.

It was learnt that they immediately reported the matter to the district magistrate and lodged a complaint with the Malda SP following the incident.

Police officials also cancelled a BJP called political meeting, which was scheduled to be held at Nalagola today on this issue.

A tense calm prevailed at Bakchar village that is close to the Indo-Bangladesh border following the attempted rape and murder of the 12-year-old girl on 28 July.

Police have arrested three youths belonging to the minority community in connection with killing of the girl.#

Pic: Pralependu Sanyal

Ganga erosion

Statesman News Service

MALDA Aug 4: The anti-erosion work carried out by Farakka Barrage Project, a Central government unit, at Ramlaltola and Dalbokshtola in Kaliachak II went in vain owing to severe erosion officials said today.Authorities said Bed Bar No 7 was completely damaged by the Ganges. A major part of Bed Bar No 6 stretching 150 metres along the left bank is also under threat. The FBP engineers are fighting hard to stem erosion in this damaged and vulnerable zone by “dip trees”. Sources said erosion continued till 2.30 pm today. State irrigation officials are keeping a close watch on the situation. Fluctuation of the water-level of the Ganges caused severe erosion today. “Water level between 23 to 24 metres is enough for causing severe erosion in this region,” irrigation officials said. The water level of the Ganges was 23.42 metres (below danger mark) at Manikchak Ghaat today, flood control officials said. Engineers fear that the up and downstream of the Ganges from the damaged part including Sultantola and upstream of Paglaghaat bus stand is under threat. Spending over Rs. 15 crore, the FBP carried out more than two km long bank line protection work this year. Last year, the state irrigation department had undertaken 3 km-long anti- erosion work on the left bank of the Ganges in the same areas but due to severe erosion half of its construction work gradually eroded away during the last monsoon . This year, the FBP took up the job in the same region. State parliamentary affairs minister and top officials including the general manager of FBP visited the vulnerable areas along the bankline of the Ganges in July and held a meeting to check erosion in this region. #

Pic : Pralependu Sanyal

Anti flood measures planned

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 3: District irrigation officials here are studying the rising and falling trend of the Ganges’ water level in a bid to chalk out a proper strategy to deal with floods this year. It was learnt that officials had recorded a decline in the water level of the Ganges a few days back, and then noted a rise in the water level a later. North Bengal has not received adequate rainfall till now this year, which is causing problems in the retting of jute and plantation of aman paddy. However, irrigation officials claimed that there is a possibility of flood by September-end this year. Reports received from irrigation officials stated that water level of the Ganges at Manikchak ghaat was 23.42 metres on 3 August 2005. But officials have recorded the water level of the Ganges at 23.36 metres at 6 a.m. today. On 12 July 2005, the water level of the Ganges was 24.30 metres at Manikchak ghaat and it had caused heavy erosion on its left bank. This year, however, owing to scarcity of rain in Bihar and UP, the water level in the Ganges was only 23.00 metres on 12 July. The district has received only 501.90 mm rainfall this year, instead of the usual 1450 mm rainfall received by the region annually till September end. Officials expect this shortfall of 900 mm to be covered up in the next two months here. The irrigation department officials informed that district administration would take up ‘temporary’ flood protection measures after the water level in the Ganges touched the 25- metres mark at the Manikchak ghaat. An important flood prevention measure will be taken up by the district irrigation department by building a new ‘dwarf embankment’ on the left bank of the mighty Ganges in Kaliachak II area, officials said today. Senior engineers said a new ‘mini bandh’ (barrier for rising flood waters) would be built by dumping thousands of sand bags along the vulnerable bank-line zones.They added that the mini bandh would stretch for 800 metres downstream from Balufara area. Officials said that the embankment there was eroded due to heavy erosion last year. The irrigation authorities will also raise the height of the 2.7 km long PWD road in this region and seal all three culverts to prevent floods. This measure will act as an alternative in case the first defence line fails.

Police to rescue boys from Punjab

Statesman News Service

MALDA. Aug. 3: A special team of South Dinajpur police will leave for Ambala in Punjab tomorrow to rescue 11 minor boys who had allegedly been “sold off” there a month ago by a group of traffickers, a senior police officer said today. Authorities said the traffickers whisked these minor boys away from their villages by assuring their parents that they (the boys) would be offered decent jobs in Punjab. The South Dinajpur SP, Mr Kalyan Mallick, said: “We don’t know whether they had been offered jobs or sold off there. Our team will leave for Ambala tomorrow to rescue the boys. We will be in a position to comment more on this issue only after completing our investigation.” After receiving several complaints from parents in various villages, police yesterday arrested an agent for his alleged involvement in the human trafficking racket. The police are interrogating the arrested agent to find out the exact place in Ambala where the 11 minor boys were kept. The accused will also accompany the police to Ambala. “The accused told the police that he had sold off the boys in Ambala, but he did not have any information about where they have been kwpt and what they are doing”, Mr Mallick said. “Not only these 11 boys, many such boys and girls from South Dinajpur are being trafficked to different states of the country. Agents and touts collect these boys and girls with the permission of their parents. The parents of these 11 boys did the same thing and now they have been repenting,” Mr Mallick added. Officials said that acute poverty compel the parents to hand over their children to the human traffickers.The South Dinajpur district administration, meanwhile, has planned to launch an awareness campaign to combat human trafficking. “ We have prepared some leaflets for circulation and decided to organise slide shows in the villages to curb the menace”, the SP said.