Extortion in the name of subscription !

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 3: A few Durga Puja committees have allegedly started demanding subscription from the residents on the basis of the area of their flats in English Bazaar town. The matter came to light after a clash between two puja committees ~ Santi Bharati Parishad and United Members’ Forum ~ on the issue of finalising the rate of subscription based on the carpet area of a flat in their locality. Reacting to the allegation, the Malda SP, Mr DK Mondal, said : “We have got the information but no complaint has so far been lodged with the police. We are keeping a close eye on the situation. We must take action against them if we receive any complaint of extortion in the name of subscription by the Durga Puja committees.” Though the members of the SBP have refuted the allegation, it was reported that six persons were injured and one of them ~ Tarun Podder ~ had to be admitted to hospital in the last week of August after a clash over puja subscription. A flat owner, Mr Rintu Mukherjee, was also assaulted for protesting against the rate of subscription on the basis of per square foot area of a flat. Mr Mukherjee is the secretary of the Flat Owners’ Association. Local CPI-M councillor had expressed her concern over the alleged inaction of the police to take action against the accused persons. Members of the SBP claimed that they were prevented by the members of United Forum from collecting subscription. “There was no question of extortion”, they said. The Malda SP said it was nothing but a “minor clash”. #

Malda seeks Central forces
Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 3: The Malda district administration is leaving no stone unturned to ensure a free and fair Lok Sabha by-poll here.As a part of its mission to conduct peaceful polls, the district administration has planned to deploy both Central para military forces and state police in the polling stations to conduct the by-poll, Malda SP, Mr DK Mondal, said. “We have not received any information from our higher authorities regarding availability of CPMF personnel. A proposal has been sent to the authorities about the requirement of at least three armed forces in each polling station,” the SP said. Deployment of large number of CPMF in sensitive booths will depend on availability, he added.#

Minor girl raped in Bamongola
Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 3: An eight-year-old-girl was allegedly raped in Malda’s Bamongola police station area today.A case has been registered against a 20-year-old-boy for allegedly raping the minor girl, police said. “We are waiting for the medical report. The incident took place when the girl was alone in her house,” police said.