Airport official leaves Malda fearing attack

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 20: Mr SK Chanda, the in-charge of Malda airport, has left the town fearing attack on him by locals who are protesting against construction of a boundary wall to finalise land for the proposed airstrip here. A few days ago, some locals allegedly threatened him to stop the construction of the boundary wall. Yesterday, a group of locals allegedly stopped the construction work near a graveyard, besides threatening the labourers with dire consequences. However, the airport authorities have so far not lodged any complaint with the police.Talking to The Statesman over telephone from Kolkata, Mr Chanda, said he tried to sort out the problem, but failed in his mission. “I will urge the Malda district magistrate to provide us adequate security to complete the construction work,” Mr Chanda, said. It may be recalled that the locals have encroached the Malda airport land, constructing big buildings and flats for business purposes.For the construction of the boundary wall and the materialisation of the Malda airstrip project, these encroachers have to be evicted.Mr Chanda was adamant to recover the land by conducting survey with the help of the district administration, much to the chagrin of the encroachers. Meanwhile, the land dispute and controversy over the measurements carried out by two government agencies have left a question mark to the much-needed project. Mr Chanda had expressed his unhappiness over the results of the fresh survey carried out by the block land and land reforms officials. Mr Chanda said refugee rehabilitation department and railways would also conduct a joint survey to finalise map to ascertain the exact land of the Malda airport.