Five killed in Kaliachak road mishap

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Nov. 29: Five persons, including two women and a child, were killed and 20 others injured when an overcrowded private bus collided head-on with a truck on NH-34 at Dariapur in Malda’s Kaliachak police station area today, police said. While two persons, including the helper of the bus, died on the spot, the others succumbed to their injuries at the Malda district hospital. Four of the five victims have been identified as Orsalim (22), Semi Biwi (22), Soma (4) and Firdousi (16).All the victims hailed from Pashchim Baranagar in Malda’s Jalalpur gram panchayat area.The injured persons are undergoing treatment at the Malda district hospital.The condition of two of the injured is stated to be serious, hospital sources, said.It was learnt that the bus was moving at a high speed, carrying more than 50 passengers. It was on its way to Kaliachak from Malda.Police said the bus had the capacity to take in only 24 passengers. Passengers held rash driving and poor condition of the NH-34 responsible for the mishap.According to eyewitnesses, two persons fell from the bus instantly and were run over by the truck.The driver of the truck also lost control of the vehicle and it skidded off the road, theysaid. Locals rushed to the spot and helped the injured passengers reach the hospital. Traffic movement was paralysed on the busy national high for nearly an hour due to the accident today.Police officials said an inquiry had been ordered into the accident. #

Pic: P Sanyal

Indian border guards kill two Bangladeshi smugglers

MALDA, Nov. 28: Two Bangladeshi smugglers have been shot dead by Indian border guards in the Malda BSF sector since yesterday, officials said today. The first incident took place at Dakuhara border outpost in South Dinajpur's Tapan police station area early yesterday and the second incident occurred at Kedaripur, three-km south of Pannapur border outpost, in Malda's Habibpur police station area this morning. Border guards of 115-battalion at Dakuhara had to open fire after they were allegedly assaulted by a group of three armed Bangladeshis, a BSF official, said. "The BSF personnel opened four rounds of firing in which one Bangladeshi infiltrator was killed," he said. The BSF jawans also seized 19 India-made radios from the spot. Maheful Ali, a cattle smuggler and resident of Porsa in Bangladesh, was shot dead by BSF jawnas of 172 battalion when he was trying to cross the border with five cattle from Indian side. The BSF officials handed over the body of Ali to their Bangladesh counterparts after a flag meeting today, officials said. n SNS

Pannapur BOP a haven for cattle smugglers

Statesman News Service

PANNAPUR (Malda), Nov. 27: Over a 14-km unfenced stretch of Indo-Bangladesh border near Pannapur border outpost in Malda’s Bamongola police station area has become a new corridor for cattle smugglers. A joint effort launched by the border security forces and gram panchayat officials failed to check cattle smuggling, a highly profitable illegal trade here. Interestingly, in this Hindu belt, the border security forces organised an oath-taking programme to curb cattle smuggling where many people, touching the sacred book, Bhagbat Gita, promised that they would never do such “sinful” job.“But there was no positive result against cattle smuggling”, said local panchayat office bearers. Hundreds of employed rural youths and labourers have been involved in cattle smuggling to earn their livelihood. Their lifestyle has changed and many of them use expensive mobile phones and two-wheelers, thanks to cattle smuggling. These smugglers maintain regular contacts with their counterparts at Dhulian in Murshidabad, gram panchayat officials, said. Smugglers from Murshidabad have selected the villages in Malda for their illegal trade. The unfenced Bangla border in Malda helps them a lot. In Murshidabad, barbed wire fencing project has been implemented, much to the chagrin of the smugglers. Over the past few weeks, the BSF officials of Malda have seized hundreds of cattle which were being smuggled to Bangladesh. “Smugglers are procuring cattle from Haryana and other areas and easily bring them to Pakuahaat, a big trade centre in Malda’s Bamongola police station area. From Pakuahaat, cattle are being smuggled to Bangladesh,” said a senior NSF official. Mr Anil Kumar Bala, a CPI-M leader of the area, said: “Unemployed youths are mostly being engaged in cattle smuggling. Even KLO activists and Maoists are extorting money from smugglers. Nearly 2000 labourers are working here for this job. The BSF officials have been urged to set up two more BOPs between Pannapur and Kedaripara BOPs.”“We need to build border road in this unfenced stretch. Otherwise, it would be difficult to check cattle smuggling as well as infiltration”, said Mr Arun Kumar Biswas, a TMC leader.

CPI allegation

MALDA, Nov. 26: The CPI leaders of Malda have accused the police of harassing their party workers. Addressing a Press conference here today, Mr Tarun Das, general secretary of the CPI’s Malda unit, said the police had unnecessarily arrested the son of Asma Bewa, a leader of the CPI’s women wing.It may be recalled that two kids were injured in a crude bomb explosion on the roof of Asma’s house a few days back. Mr Das alleged that the blast was the handiwork of the CPI’s rivals. He claimed that Asma’s son was “innocent”. Mr Das said they would submit a memorandum to the Malda SP soon, protesting against the arrest of Asma’s son. SNS

Mother kills children, self

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Nov. 25 - Failing to bear the acute poverty they were in, a thirty five-year-old woman killed herself and her three minor daughters by consuming poison on this morning at Naoda village in Kaliachak police station. A fifth of the family Tumpa Mandal (13) is still struggling for her life in Malda district hospital. Her condition is stated to be serious. According to the Malda SP, Mr Dilip Kumar Mondal, the deceased Shova Mondal, wife of a rickshaw van puller Hakim Mondal had a quarrel with her husband last night. Hakim allegedly beat his wife and daughters last night and this morning over a row on food. “The quarrel broke out last night when Hakim demanded an ornament from his wife, which he intended to sell to procure some food for the family,” the police, said. “Unable to bear the pangs of hunger and to escape the torture she received from her husband regularly Shova perhaps decided to end her life and the lives of her children in this fashion,” the Malda SP, said. According to the police, Shova’s three daughters Kachi (2), Kajal (4), Bithika (9) and she herself were declared dead by the Malda district hospital authorities after admission for treatment. “Although she took the lives of her three daughters along with her’s the mother, however, tactfully saved her eleven-year-old son, Vivek,” a senior police officer said. According to locals, the family was facing acute food crisis for quite some time. “For the children, the mid-day meal provided by their schools was the only source of sustenance,” the police and locals, said. Despite the conditions they were in, “Hakim’s name was not enlisted in the BPL category,” said Archana Mandal, a gram panchayat member. Villagers also informed that Hakim had been to Mumbai in search of an income but was forced to return after he fell ill. Their savings were exhausted a few days ago. The incident occurred today after Hakim left the house for work. Sobha gave Rs two to her son Vivek and told him to gave some food out side, before poisoning her daughters and herself. The boy, after returning discovered his mother and sisters on the floor, groaning in pain. He was the one to inform the neighbours, the police said. #

Meeting balm for erosion victims

MALDA, Nov. 24: Thousands of erosion victims will get a chance to express their plight and grievances during a “public hearing” to be held at Mothabari block office in Kaliachak, Malda, tomorrow. The programme has been organised by the National Legal Service Authority (Nalsa) authorities. The Nalsa has instructed the chairman of District Legal Service Authority (Dilsa), Mr Prasanta Kumar Mahanti, to conduct the “public hearing”. Villagers as well as the erosion victims presently living on the bank of the Ganges in Kaliachak and Manikchak have been urged to attend the public meeting tomorrow. “I will hear the grievances of the erosion victims and send the views to the Nalsa,” said Mr Prasanta Kumar Mahanti, district judge of the Malda Court. Officials said that the Malda district magistrate, Mr CR Das, additional superintendent of police and other officials would be present in the “public hearing.” Members of the Active Citizens’ Forum in Panchanandapur had requested higher authorities, including the President of India, to take initiative to stem erosion and provide compensation to the erosion victims, but to no avail. Thousands of poor families have been rendered homeless in the area due to erosion. In the past five years, over 1,400 hectares of crop and homestead land have been eroded by the Ganges in Manikchak, English Bazaar, Kaliachak II and III blocks. The state government had allotted Rs 3 crore in August 2003 for rehabilitation of erosion victims and it was decided that the government would pay Rs 5,000 each to the erosion victims for buying a plot of land.n SNS

Roadblock

MALDA, Nov. 24: Locals staged a roadblock on the state highway at Pakuahaat in Malda's Bamongola police station area today, protesting against the BSF "highhandedness". They alleged that the BSF jawans opened fire in the air after seizing 26 heads of cattle at Uttarjoyee village today. Police said the BSF jawans entered beyond their jurisdiction. Mr Suresh Yadav, in-charge of the BSF's Malda sector, however, said that the border guards had to open fire in self-protection as the villagers had gheraoed them. The Malda ASP, Mr S Sarkar, has termed the incident "unfortunate". He said the matter had been brought to the notice of the BSF authorities. nSNS

AIDS-affected couple ostracised

Manas R Bannerjee

MALDA, Nov. 22: A couple affected by HIV/AIDS has been ostracised by villagers owing to lack of proper awareness campaign about the deadly disease in rural belts of Malda district, the Malda district magistrate, Mr CR Das, said today. The DM today requested the officials concerned to visit the village where the victims live with a view to providing social protection to the couple. Workers of social welfare and integrated child development scheme would also be requested to launch a door-to-door campaign in the villages to aware the people on the deadly disease.The initiative, officials hope, would prevent injustice being caused to the HIV/AIDS-affected people in the rural areas.The DM said it was "unfortunate" that the couple had been ostracised by the villagers.The couple, Mr Swapan Mandal and his wife Mrs Tokia Mandal, today met the district magistrate and informed him about the way the villagers ostracised them. They told the DM that the villagers have made life difficult for them. "We were forced to shift our three-year-old child to the relatives' house," the couple informed the DM. They also urged Mr Das to provide free passes to them for travelling to Kolkata for treatment. "I will request the state transport authorities to provide free passes to the couple so that they could go to Kolkata by bus for the treatment. They are not in a position to bear the regular travelling expenses," the DM, said. Mr Swapan Mandal, who had been working in New Delhi as a three-wheeler driver, told reporters that he contacted the disease in the capital.It was learnt that in March last year, the Malda doctors found AIDS virus in Mr Mandal and his wife. Fortunately, the couple's son has so far not contacted the disease. Mr Das admitted that in rural belts, the AIDS victims are facing social problems.#

Another Train Robbery

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Nov.21: A group of eight armed robbers looted the passengers of the 5930-Dn Dibrugarh-Chennai mail train near Barsoi railway station in the wee hours today , railway officials said.

According to police, the dacoits stopped the train by pulling chain between Khurial and Kumedpur railway stations in the Bengal-Bihar area around 3.40 am.

They also stabbed one of the passengers, Mr. Ananta Mahato, when he tried to resist . Mr. Mahato is undergoing treatment at Malda railway station.

"Mr. Mahato lodged a complaint with the Malda GRP regarding the incident. The complaint has been forwarded to the Barsoi GRP", said Mr. Swapan Dasgupta, I-C, Malda GRP.

Mr. Dasgupta said the armed dacoits looted more than Rs. 1 lakh in cash and other valuables from the passengers of the train's coach number 2.

Mr. Mahato , a resident of Naharkatia, informed the police tht several other passengers also sustained minor injuries in the attack.

Investigations revealed that the dacoits started 'operation' soon after it left the Barsoi station and managed to escape.

The passengers reported the incident to the GRP officials after the train reached Malda town station today.

No body has been arrested so far official sources said.

It may be recalled that several passengers trains were looted in this area in the recent past.

Seminar Held

MALDA, Nov. 21 : The United States Education Foundation and Malda Women's College jointly conducted Fulbright Scholarships Orientation Seminar at Malda Women's college conference hall today.

Dr. Surnit Mullick, Regional officer of the USEFI, was the main speaker at the seminar and he described the system of studies in USA.

Hundreds of students of the college and other scholars and teachers of other colleges were present at the seminar. They interacted with Dr. Mullick and wanted to know about opportunities to go the USA availing the Fulbright Scholarships.

Dr. Mullick inspired them describing the system of screening for the applicants and how a simple graduate to 50 years old teacher can easily avail the opportunities for studies in the USA in various field.

Owing to lack of information of such opportunities the interested persons of the region could not avail the opportunities of studying in the USA. SNS

Malda Silk Unit To Reopen Today

MALDA, Nov. 21: The labour dispute at East End Silks , a silk waste industrial unit at Narayanpur , was resolved today , thanks to chief minister Mr. Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's initiative.

The additional district magistrate of Malda, Mr. Abdul Khaleque , who convened a tripartite meeting today to resolve the dispute , said the decision to call strike by the union leasders was a " wrong step".

" The stalemate has been resolved following the CM's intervention. The labourers would begin work tomorrow", he said.

It may be recalled that the labourers of the silk unit had launched the strike without any notification on 14 November , following a wage dispute with the management.

Mr. Khaleque urged the two sides - union leaders and the management officials-- to settle the dispute amicably. He requested the management officials to maintain cordial relation with the labourers. The union leaders , on the other hand, were urged to maintain labour laws. SNS

Meet to resolve silk unit dispute on Tuesday

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Nov. 20: The assistant labour commissioner of Malda will convene a tripartite meeting tomorrow to resolve the labour dispute at East End Silk, a private silk waste industrial unit at Narayanpur, following an instruction from the Malda district magistrate. More than 400 Citu-backed labourers, including 70 women, began a cease work at the industrial unit on 15 November. The East End Silk, it may be recalled, was inaugurated by chief minister Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee a few years back. Meanwhile, the CPI-M leaders are upset with the strike called by the labourers and there is a difference of opinion among the Citu leaders on the issue as well. The proprietor of the factory is close to the CM, sources said. “I do not know what happened there. It seems that the labourers are striking unnecessarily”, said Mr Jiban Moitra, the district secretary of Malda CPI-M. On the other hand, terming the proprietor of the industrial unit a “fraud”, the Malda district president of the Citu, Mr Rupam Sen, said: “The chief minister does not know about the proprietor of the unit, Mr Mostaq Hussain, who also owns a bidi company in Murshidabad.”

H C backs demolition drive in Malda

Statesman News Service
MALDA, Nov 19: The Calcutta High Court on Friday disposed off the case against demolition drive on "enemy property" launched by the Malda administration, officials said today.

Authorities said the court also said that the district magistrate of Malda would finalise the matter and arrange a "hearing" on the issue.

The owner of a liquor shop, which was allegedly built on the disputed land, had filed a case against the demolition drive launched by the administration on 10 November.

The Malda sub divisional officer Ms. Arunima De and additional S P Mr. S Sarkar led to a police team to demolish the illegal encroachments on 10 November following the order the district magistrate, Mr. C R Das.

Though the district administration was able to demolish all constructions made by the CPIM backed promoters on the play ground, identified as "enemy property”, it could not demolish of the country liquor shop following an injunction order from the H C.

It may be recalled that the Malda administration had demolished a part of the building of the country liquor shop, located at plot no 47 measuring 3.1 acres of land identified as " enemy property" at Regent Park in ward no. 24 in English Bazaar municipality.

The administration had also issued a notice to the liquor shop owner for shifting stock of liquor bottles within 24 hours during the demolition drive on 10 November.

The Court had asked the owner of the shop not to sale liquor until further order, official said.

"According to the Court order, the district magistrate, Mr. C R Das, is the supreme authority to settle the problem of encroachment over enemy property ", said Ms. Arunima De, Malda sub divisional officer. #

Smuggler shot dead

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Nov 18.- A Bangladeshi smuggler was shot dead in BSF firing at Agra Harischandrapur border out post under Habibpur police station last night, the police said. According to the police, BSF jawans chased a group of Bangladeshi smugglers and fired on them as they were trying to rustle cattle. The BSF recovered some cattle from the spot. Cattle smuggling is common in this zone. In order to stop the crime the BSF is using thermal imager to identify the smugglers’ location at night along the unfenced border. Recently, the deputy inspector general in Malda sector, Mr D Saraswat, accused the Bangladesh Rifles of cattle smuggling along the unfenced Bangladesh border.

Two injured in bomb blast

MALDA, Nov.18. — Two children including a girl were seriously wounded in a bomb blast at Kaliachak today, police said. The children were apparently playing with the crude bomb when it took off. The children were admitted to the district hospital with crucial injuries. One of them has lost a hand and the other may have to undergo a leg amputation, the police said. It was learnt that the spot of occurrence was close to the house of a local CPI leader. Police are investigating who left the bomb at the spot. Tension has been brewing in the locality for some time over a parcel of land. Two groups have been vying to gain control of the piece of land, which may have led to the import of the bomb at that spot, police fear. SNS

Heat on Malda hospital doctors

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Nov. 17: The Malda district magistrate, Mr CR Das, today instructed the officials concerned to take stern action against the doctors of Malda District Hospital for absenteeism. The DM, who paid a surprise visit to the hospital along with other members of the district health committee, including the sabhadhipati of Malda Zilla Parishad, Mr Goutam Chakraborty, summoned the deputy chief medical officer III and instructed him to issue show cause notices to the doctors. The decision to visit the district hospital was taken yesterday at a meeting of district health committee where the peoples’ representatives lodged several complaints against the Malda district hospital authorities. Even the two civic body chiefs were critical about health services and negligence of duties of the government doctors at the Malda District Hospital. The district magistrate today visited the kitchen of the hospital from where food was being served to patients. “The district magistrate has expressed resentment watching the quantity and quality of foods for patients at the hospital,” said Dr Bidhan Mirshra, deputy CMOH-II, Malda. The DM, who collected some samples of food items for quality testing today, also issued a note to the deputy CMOH III, instructing him to give an explanation.The CMOH and other officials, next to him, were either on leave or out of station when the DM visited the hospital today.

Parents arrested for abandoning baby

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Nov. 17: English Bazaar Police have arrested the parents of a male baby, who was rescued from Ramchandrapur village on Wednesday, and produced them in the court today. The parents of the baby were arrested on charges of abandoning the baby under Section 317 of the IPC, Malda SP Mr DK Mondal said. Mother of the baby, Sarama Choudhury, confessed before police that they wanted to save the life of their five-month old “abnormal” son. “Since it needed a huge amount of money to save his life, we had no other option but to leave the baby in front of the Missionaries of Charity at Ramchandrapur. We thought that only Mother Teresa could save his life,” Sarama Choudhury, told police. “A specialist doctor in Kolkata told them that nearly Rs 2.5 lakh would be required for a brain operation of the baby,” the SP, said. The poor couple told the police that it was not possible for them to bear the cost of their child’s treatment. The baby has been admitted to the Malda District Hospital for treatment.

Labour unrest at Malda silk unit

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Nov. 16: The management officials of East End Silk, a private silk waste industrial unit in Malda, inaugurated by chief minister Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee in 2001, were allegedly confined in a room last night by hundreds of protesting workers backed by the Citu.The workers, meanwhile, have announced a cease work from tomorrow. Sources said trouble broke out after a dialogue between the management and the union members over fresh agreement failed last night.The management officials of the unit, meanwhile, have urged the Malda district administration to provide them adequate security in the wake of violent protest by the Citu-backed workers. The settlement was postponed yesterday following an altercation between the management and the union members. The workers, it was learnt, became violent apparently due to the reluctance of the management to accept their demands. The workers, meanwhile, launched a fresh agitation in front of the EES factory at Narayanpur here in support of their multiple demands. Sources said that the managing director of the EES, Mr Mostaque Hossian, is close to chief minister Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee. It was Mr Bhattacharjee who inaugurated the silk unit in 2001. The EES mainly produces yarn and sliver from silk wastes and exports them to Italy and other countries. “We have sent a letter to the district magistrate seeking protection. A copy of the letter has also been forwarded to the Citu leadership,” said Mr MK Jain, manager, EES. “We are apprehending a fresh attack by the agitating union leaders”, Mr Jain, said. The Malda district secretary of Citu, Mr Pranab Das, on his part, said: “The decision to start a cease work was taken by the workers, and not by us. They are frustrated for getting poor wages. A fresh wage agreement was supposed to be signed on 1 April 2006. But the agreement is yet to be finalized”, Mr Das alleged. He, however, said that the Citu would soon sort out the dispute with the management.

Abandoned baby rescued in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Nov. 15: The English Bazaar police today rescued a five-month-old abandoned male baby from Ramchandrapur village. The baby has been admitted to the Malda district hospital. The Malda SDO, Ms Arunima De, said the matter has been brought to the notice of the district social welfare department. She said efforts are on to shift the baby to a home for better care. “Officials of the DSWO have been requested to begin legal process for the adoption of the baby. Already, locals as well as some policemen are interested to adopt the baby”, Ms De, said. Hiralal Rishi, a resident of Ramchandrapur village, heard the baby’s cry this morning. He immediately took the baby to his house. Sakuntala Rishi, Hiralal’s sister, reportedly expressed her desire to adopt the baby and consulted the sisters of Missionaries of Charity. The sisters suggested her to inform the police first. The Malda SP, Mr DK Mondal, said all police stations of the district have been asked to identify the baby’s parents. “It is not yet clear whether the baby was abandoned or stolen. The inquiry is on,” Mr Mondal, said. Since the baby was wearing nice dresses and ornaments, the police have not ruled out the possibility of kidnapping.

Pic. Pralependu Sanyal

BSF accuses BDR of helping smugglers

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Nov. 15: Mr Dharamveer Saraswat, deputy inspector general, Malda BSF sector, yesterday wrote a letter to senior Bangladesh Rifles officials accusing them of helping cattle smugglers along the Indo-Bangladesh border. “I had to write the letter to the BDR officials when I came to know that the BDR opened four rounds of firing within 10 minutes after the death of a 20-year-old Bangladeshi cattle smuggler in the BSF firing”, Mr Saraswat, said. The BSF officials said that a 20-year-old Bangladeshi cattle smuggler was killed in BSF firing at Binpur under the jurisdiction of 57 Battalion of BSF on Monday night, around 10.15 pm. According to them, a gang of five armed cattle smugglers were taking away a herd of cattle after cutting down the barbed wire fencing at Binpur village in South Dinjapur. The Indian border guards fired at smugglers when they attacked them. One of the smugglers died on spot and the others managed to escape. The body was lying on the borderline within 150 yards till this morning. The BSF officials said with the help of thermal imager, installed in spots along the border, they detected the group of smugglers and decided intercepted them. “Thermal imager, a newly installed device, is helping us to check border crime”, the BSF officials said.They added that the device helps watching the activities from a distance of at least 600 metres at night”, the BSF officials said. The BSF officials claimed that over the past few months, over 6,000 smuggled cattle were seized along the border and the Bangladeshi people are now facing crisis of cow meat. As a result, the Bangladeshi cattle smugglers were adamant to take away herd of cattle from Indian side in connivance with the BDR, the BSF officials claimed. The DIG, Mr Saraswat, said that border security forces seized smuggled items, mainly cattle, worth of Rs 2 crore in October 2006.

N Bengal exporters hit hard

Manas R Bannerjee

MALDA, Nov. 14: A fresh violence in Bangladesh has marred exports of various items from land customs stations of north Bengal to that country, officials said today.Barring Mahadipur land customs station in Malda district, exports activities have come to a near-halt in all the other land customs stations of the region. According to Customs officials, export and import remained suspended at Changrabandha in Cooch Behar and Hilli in South Dinajpur for the third day today. “Exporters are not interested to continue business under the present circumstances. The ongoing transport strike in Bangladesh has hampered their business to a large extent,” said Mr Sanjit Majumdar, joint secretary, Hilli Exporters’ and Customs Clearing Agents’ Association.He added that onion export to Bangladesh had been hit hard. Mr Ujjal Saha, spokesperson of Malda Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce, said: “Some lorries loaded with fruits have been diverted to the undisturbed Mahadipur LC station in Malda.”“We are facing huge financial losses due to the ongoing strike in Bangladesh”, said Mr Uttam Karmakar, president, Changarabandha Exporters’ Association. “The Bangladeshi importers said they are not receiving lorries from India fearing that the protesters might damage those,” said a Hilli exporter. Lorries loaded with export items, such as oranges, apples and dolomite-loaded lorries from Bhutan have remained stranded at the Changrabandha port since last three days, exporters said. Import from Bangladesh has also remained suspended.India imports soap, cosmetics, fast food items and waist cotton, among other products, from Bangladesh.

CPM caught on the wrong foot

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Nov 12: The demolition of illegally- constructed buildings on a three acre plot at Regent Park has acquired political colour.

Interestingly, Congress MLA Mr K N Choudhury and former CPI- M MLA Mr Samar Roy, both elected in English Bazaar, want to convert the plot into a playground.

They have also reportedly decided to ask the district magistrate to ensure that the plot doesn’t go into the hands of land sharks.

The demolition drive has dealt a severe blow to promoters allegedly backed by CPI-M leaders of Ward No. 24 who were eyeing the plot.

The local ward committee members of the CPI-M, DYFI and other organisations were taken aback when they came to know of the local developers’ connections.

District secretary of the CPI-M, Mr Jiban Moitra, said that party would not shield the promoters bent on acquiring the plot.

He said that stern action would be taken against persons trying to flex muscles.

“It is a great political setback and it would be very difficult for us to regain our position in Ward No. 24,~ a red bastion,” said a CPM worker.

On the other hand, Congress MLA Mr KN Choudhury today told The Statesman that he would lodge another complaint with the district magistrate tomorrow demanding punishment of some government officials and four promoters who had managed to get a land registry deed and other important papers for grabbing the plot.

Mr Choudhury said that he would ask the district administration to use the plot for holding sports and cultural programmes.

Illegal constructions demolished

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Nov. 10: The Malda district administration today demolished illegal constructions on a playground, identified as “enemy property”, at Regent Park in English Bazaar town following an order by the district magistrate, Mr Chittaranjan Das.The demolition comes in the wake of a report submitted by the district land and land reforms officer. It may be recalled that a group promoters, allegedly backed by the CPI-M, had grabbed the playground and started demarcating the land for sale, much to the chagrin of the locals who were using the playground for sports activities and cultural programmes. The sub-divisional officer, Malda sadar, Ms Arunima De, additional district police superintendent, Malda, Mr S Sarkar led the police team in demolishing the illegal constructions.Hundreds of labourers were engaged to carry out the demolition drive amidst tight security. Bulldozers and rollers were also used to demolish the constructions, including a country liquor shop.The owner of the liquor shop, who had allegedly encroached upon the playground a decade back, was earlier asked to vacate within 24 hours. The demolition drive would be continued tomorrow, police said. “The ADM (LR) had identified the land as an enemy property. We are now demolishing all the illegal constructions on it,” the DM, Mr Das, said.Senior district police officials, including the DM and the SP, visited the site today to take stock of the situation.Thousands of people gathered to watch the police operation and expressed their satisfaction over the demolition drive.They thanked the officials concerned for taking prompt action against the promoters.

Malda gets Rs. 5.63 cr for infrastructure

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Nov. 8: The North Bengal Development Council has allotted Rs 5.63 crore for infrastructure development in Malda district out of Rs 42 crore it received for the six districts of north Bengal, the Malda zilla parishad sabhadhipati, Mr Goutam Chakraborty, said today. A majority of the fund would be utilised in the minority belts of the district, sources said. Mr Chakraborty said the chief minister, Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, has approved 14 schemes submitted to the council for the Malda district. Yesterday, the chief minister held a meeting with senior officials, including the sabhadhipatis of the six districts of north Bengal, in Kolkata. The CM stressed on the need to develop infrastructure in the north Bengal districts for industrialisation in the region, Mr Chakraborty said . He added that the CM had assured that the government would develop two tea gardens for tea tourism in the region. “The CM also reviewed the funds allotted earlier for the development of six districts.” The Malda district administration, it was learnt, failed to furnish utilisation certificates of a few projects. The district had got Rs 2.87 crore for the infrastructure development earlier. Sources said the administration could not spend Rs 1.35 crore for the construction of central bus terminus, Rs 1.30 crore for the Laxmipur drainage scheme, and Rs 56 lakh for Chanchal drainage scheme. Some projects under the assistance of the NBDC, however, are under process, officials said.Mr Chakraborty said that tender for the central bus terminus had been floated. The Laxmipur drainage project would be reviewed soon, he said.

Panel to probe Malda girl's death

MALDA Nov. 8: Members of State Women Commission, led by former MP Mrs Malini Bhattacharya, will visit Malda on 11 November to inquire into the death of Ritu Taneja (26), who was allegedly burnt alive in a red light area at English Bazaar town in August this year. The SWC members have informed about their visit to the activists of Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR), Malda branch. The district secretary of APDR Malda, Mr Prabir Jha, said: “The SWC members would investigate the anomalies in the red light area pointed out by us. Apart from meeting the district administration officials, they will also meet the social activists to take stock of the situation here.” n SNS

Police asked to stop illegal excavation

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Nov. 7: The Malda district administration has expressed its concern over the way historical sites, such as Gour, are of late being excavated by the racketeers. The recent theft of antique items from Gour, it seems, has awakened the officials concerned.Officials of the Archeological Survey of India (ASI), it may be recalled, had lodged complaints with the district administration on the third week of October and on 5 November as well. They urged the administration to stop the menace. It was alleged that racketeers had dug out many valuable items and made some big tunnels there, making it difficult for the ASI authorities to undertake routine survey. The ASI officials reportedly told the administration that criminals are selling ancient bricks and other valuable items after stealing those from the protected areas, such as Gour, situated near the India-Bangladesh border. It may be recalled that Gour was set up in the 7th century as a sovereign kingdom of Bengal, during the period of King Shashanka. Then the Palas were eclipsed by the Hindu Sena dynasty (1095 to 1260) and Bengal came under the Islamic rule in the 13th century. Over 15 monuments were built in the 14th and 15th centuries at Gour, officials said. The Malda district magistrate, Mr Chittaranjan Das, yesterday instructed the police to stop excavation at Gour by the criminals. After the DM's instruction, the police last night raided several areas to nab the racketeers involved in illegal excavation. No one, however, has so far been arrested, sources said. The Malda SP, Mr DK Mondal, said that a special raid would be conducted soon. "A special police picket would be set up at the site where a group of locals are stealing ancient bricks and other antic items. A new officer would also be posted at the existing police camp at Gour," Mr Mondal, said.

Arms haul in Maoist den

Manas R Bannerjee

MALDA, Nov. 5: After seizing a huge cache of arms and ammunition from a Maoist den in Habibpur area last night, Malda Police are now looking for six Maoist activists including two women, officials said today. Acting on a tip off, police raided the house of one Amin Tudu and his neighbour at Hyadpur village in Habibpur police station last night. “We have recovered two carbines over 100 bullets and one rifle,” said Mr D K Mondal, Malda SP. He said police today raided the house of Kartik Mandal in Habibpur police station area and recovered one rifle, one improvised pipe gun and other materials. Police also arrested Kartik Mandal today. Police are interrogating Kartik to know the whereabouts of Maoist activists who are camping in Habibpur and Bamongola areas. The SP said that Maoist activists were holding a meeting at the house of Amin Tudu and fled before police reached there. The SP added that the ultras perhaps collected these arms from Jharkhand where Maoists are very much active.

Kaliachak criminals in police net

MALDA, Nov. 5: Police finally arrested seven persons including three wanted criminals after a massive raid in Kaliachak police station area, officials said today. Police have arrested over 35 persons to curb rampant criminals activities in this zone. The Kaliachak police station area had turned violent yesterday evening in protest against the raid conducted by police. A 40-year-old woman died after police picked up her husband during the raid. Hundreds of villagers blocked NH-34 at Danga village yesterday evening in protest against the police raid. Police had to resort to lathicharge to disperse the mob and also arrested some of them. After serial murders, rioting, kidnapping and extortion on women by a large group of criminals in the last few weeks, Malda Police decided to launch a massive raid in more than five places identified as criminal dens. n SNS

Water tax hike to be reviewed

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Nov. 3: The English Bazaar civic body chief has agreed to review the hike in water tax imposed in commercial establishments according to the proposal of the Malda Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce. MMCC secretary Mr Jayanta Kundu yesterday met the chairman of the civic body, Mr Narendranath Tiwari and discussed the matter again.It may be noted that the Congress-led civic body recently hiked the water tax based on earlier rate fixed by the Trinamul-BJP-led board for commercial establishments and planned to hike water tax for domestic purposes also. During the discussion, Mr Tiwari told Mr Kundu that the MMCC’s proposals for imposition of water tax for commercial establishments was raised before the board of councillors’ meeting and the body would adopt a resolution in the next meeting. Mr Kundu urged the civic body chief to consider the small traders for exemption of water tax based on old rate fixed by the CPI-M-led board. “ There should be a classification among traders and consumers on the basis of volume of water used per day before fixing water tax when there is no system water meter for the payment of water tax,” Mr Kundu said. “ The civic board can’t claim same rate from big and small hotel owners, he said. The MMCC has proposed that small sweet shops and hotels would pay Rs. 75 per month for water tax but the big hotels must pay Rs 150 and above per month. On the other hand, the MMCC has also approached the civic body to reconsider the tax on hoardings. The MMCC secretary claimed that the present civic body has increased its tax rate 300 times. It was also learnt that the civic body would also final the tax rate after the discussion with the representatives of the MMCC. The civic body chief, Mr Narendranath Tiwari, earlier told the reporters that the old rate on hoarding, was still on and that the rate must be revised properly with a view to earn revenue of the municipality.

Construction on disputed land stopped

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Nov. 2: Malda administration today issued an order to “stop construction” on the disputed “enemy property” at Regent Park in English Bazaar town. After receiving a complaint, district magistrate Mr Chittaranjan Das sought a report yesterday from land and land reforms department. It was alleged that CPI(M)-backed promoters had grabbed the playground in ward number 24 under English Bazaar Municipality. The sub-divisional officer of Malda, Ms Arunima De, said: “Deputy land and land reforms officer and other officials today visited the spot and asked the promoters to stop construction. This was conveyed to police.”“The promoters could not show any valid papers such as deed of the land, permission from municipality for construction, and even the application for conversion of the orchard land to homestead land for construction,” Ms De said. Land Administrative Tribunal had issued an order on this land and it had been ‘‘vested’’ by government and lastly identified as “enemy property”, she said. The original landowner went to Pakistan before the Partition, officials said. Today, the district land and land reforms department officials informed the administration that “promoters had started construction on 3.1 acres (plot no.47) of land demarcating several plots of lands.” “A part of low-laying areas (Wet land - plot no 48) is undisturbed but it is to be filled in,” land officers told the administration. The district land and land reforms department has asked an officer to investigate the matter to know about the promoters who had claimed to be the landowners. “According to departmental papers, the land is an enemy property. We need to find out how did they (promoters) buy the land,” Mr NR Sen, district land and land reforms officer told reporters today.

Promoters accused of grabbing playground

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Nov. 1: The Malda district magistrate, Mr Chittaranjan Das, today sought a report from his ADM on a controversy that has broken out over a playground at Regent Park in ward number 24 at English Bazaar town.Promoters have allegedly grabbed the playground. The district magistrate’s action comes following a complaint on the matter from a councillor of the English Bazaar Municipality. “I have asked the ADM, land reforms, to probe into the matter and furnish a report of the land in question and its present status as soon as possible,” Mr Das said. Yesterday, Mr Shantanu Saha, Trinamul councillor of the EBM, raised the issue of land grabbing at the board of councillors’ meeting and drew the chairman’s attention to it urging him to save the playground from the clutches of the promoters. “I have sent letters to the district magistrate and the English Bazaar MLA requesting them to save the playground,” Mr Saha said today. It may be recalled that a few weeks ago a group of promoters, backed by the CPI-M, had attempted to sell the same ground in plots at high price.A CPI-M backed local club with the help of the District Sports Association and Rotary Club of Malda had organised a coaching camp for boys under thirteen years of age, in the vacant land.Locals, club members and also the CPI-M and DYFI cadres stood divided on the issue after the CPI-M backed promoters began construction work on the ground. The former CPI-M English Bazaar MLA, Mr Samar Roy, who had inaugurated the coaching camp, said: “I am disappointed after hearing the development. We do not have sufficient playgrounds in the extended English Bazaar town. We need to save the plot of land.” Similarly, the former vice chairman and councillor of ward number 24, Mrs Sutapa Das Ghosh said: “ We are shocked at the turn of events and are planning to recover the land.” One of the present owners of the land, Mr S Ghosh, said: “The land was earlier identified as “enemy property,” but the dispute was resolved in the court recently. We bought the land through legal process.”