Mamata rally draws thousands

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 28: Trinamul Congress chief Miss Mamata Banerjee led a candlestick rally here today to protest against alleged lawlessness in the state. Thousands of people participated in the rally that started from the Malda Indoor Stadium.Miss Banerjee demanded a CBI inquiry into the mysterious death of Rizwan-Ur-Rehman. "I do not believe in inquiry commission. It is nothing but a move to delay investigations," she said. "The government is trying to suppress the case by ordering a CID probe into it. The state had also tried to suppress Tapasi Malik murder case by appointing CID. However, after CBI inquiry it was found that the CPI-M leaders were the main conspirators and now they are behind the bars," Miss Banerjee, added. The Trinamul supreme did not forget to play ABA Ghani Khan cards to woo the people of Malda. "Only Trinamul Congress is capable of filling the vacuum created by Ghani Khan's death. The Trinamul has the capacity to take on the CPI-M," she said. Miss Banerjee criticised both the state and the Centre for not initiating any master plan to prevent floods in north Bengal and improve the condition of tea estates in the region.

No breakthrough in murder probe

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 28: Police have so far not been able to achieve any breakthrough in the investigation of Maya Sarkar and her 22-year-old daughter Anusha Sarkar's murders. Maya, a schoolteacher and wife of late Hem Sarkar, AI of Schools, and Anusha, a Physics (honours) student of Malda College were found murdered at their Air View Complex residence here last morning.Police today interrogated one Subhankar, Anusha's boyfriend, but failed to get any clue. "The investigation is on and several persons are being interrogated in connection with the dual murder," the Malda superintendent of police, Mr DK Mondal, said. No one has so far been arrested, he added. The police, meanwhile, have sealed Maya's house so that experts can take figure prints from the spot. The CID team from Kolkata is yet to reach here. Maya's elder daughter, Ananya Sarkar, a Mathematics student of Jadavpur University in Kolkata returned home today. Since Ananya is shell-shocked with the incident, the police have so far not interrogated her. Ananya's maternal uncle, Mr Nani Gopal Saha, has been requested by the police to look after her. Meanwhile, members of the All India Democratic Students' Organisation have called a 12-hour students' strike in Malda on 1 October to protest against the murder of Anusha and her mother.

CPIM receives jolt in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 28: With the recent secretarial report making it clear that the CPI-M has lost its support base among those living on the banks of the Mahananda in the town, the party leaders are a worried lot here.Mr Indrajit Motra, secretary of the CPI-M's English Bazaar Town Committee, said the party has lost contacts with embankment dwellers. He, however, claimed that the vote bank of the party has increased among the middle and upper middle class people. The secretarial report has also mentioned that the party's youth wing, DYFI, has failed to woo the youths despite the government's initiative for employment generation through industrialisation. As a result, there is a sharp decline in number of members over the past few years and total number of DYFI activists in English Bazaar has reduced from 12,010 in 2005 to 11,074 this year. Similarly, the women's wing of the party has also not shown any healthy sign, with the number of its membership declining from 7,200 in 2006 to 6,000 this year. On the other hand, primary teachers are not showing enthusiasm to come under the CPI-M backed union, All Bengal Primary Teachers' Association. It may be recalled that the CPI-M had got less votes in English Bazaar in the last Lok Sabha and Assembly polls. In a bid to boost party workers and increase party activities, the English Bazaar local committee of the CPI-M has been divided into three parts. Mr Indrajit Mitra has retained the secretary's post.

Rizwan-like case in Gazole??

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 27: A Rizwan-like case has shaken police officials at Gajole in Malda district.Rajkumar Saha, a 26-year-old boy "legally" married an adult girl, Poulomi Raha, daughter of Mr Asim Kumar Raha, circle-inspector of Gajole police station recently. It was alleged that the police officer forcibly picked up his daughter from Saha's house and threatened him with dire consequences. Rajkumar had informed the matter to the Malda SDO, seeking justice. Though the SDO instructed the police to look into the matter, nothing had allegedly been done. Saha, whose life was in danger, fled home and recently wrote a letter to the Human Rights Commission, submitting legal documents confirming their marriage. A copy of the letter was also forwarded to the Malda SP Mr DK Mondal. Rajkumar claimed that he married the girl under the Special Marriage Act on 2 August this year. The circle-inspector of police, Mr Raha, however, denied having threatened Saha by exercising his power. Meanwhile, Trinamul Congress chief Miss Mamata Banerjee who was here today has taken up the issue. She is likely to meet the youth tomorrow. Miss Banerjee has instructed the party leaders to stage a demonstration in front of the police station at Chakulia tomorrow. "West Bengal has become a lawless state. The Rizwan case has established this," Miss Banerjee told reporters.

Twin murder rocks Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 27: Maya Sarkar (52), a teacher and her 22-year-old daughter, Anusha Sarkar, were murdered at their residence at Air View Complex in Malda town last night, police said today.Maya, wife of late Hem Sarkar, AI of Schools, Malda, was a teacher of Krishna Mohan Girls' High School and her daughter was a Physics (honours) student of Malda College, police said. Maya's elder daughter, Ananya, is a Mathematics student of Jadavpur University in Kolkata. She was not present at the house when the incident occurred. Malda SP Mr DK Mondal said someone close to the family has committed the crime. The incident came to light this morning when Maya's domestic help, Saraswati Sarkar, found the blood-soaked bodies on the first floor of the house. She informed the matter to one of Maya's drivers. The police have detained the driver for interrogation. Hundreds of locals, including teachers and students, rushed to the spot soon after the news of the duo's murder spread in the town. The I-C of English Bazaar police station, the SP and the ASP also reached Maya's residence after getting information. "It was a planned murder. The criminal is probably linked to the family," said Mr P Pradhan, the I-C of English Bazaar police station. The ASP, Mr S Sarkar, echoed Mr Pradhan's tone. The police have also not ruled out the possibility of robbers' involvement in the murder as the ornament boxes were found broken. The ornaments, however, were seen scattered in the bedroom. A toy pistol, a sharp knife and three gold rings were found on a table inside the bedroom. Police said the duo were hacked to death. Their hands were tied after murder. Police found several injury marks on the body of Maya's daughter. The girl was probably studying in her room when the incident occurred, police said. The police have interrogated several persons known to the family. Neighbours and the domestic help have also been questioned. Mr Ratan Das, an employee of Malda FCI and one of Maya's tenants who lives on the ground floor of the house was not present in his room. According to locals, Mr Das left for Kolkata this morning for "official" purpose. The police are likely to interrogate Mr Das soon after his return from Kolkata. Another tenant, Mr Raja Kundu, a teacher of Malda Polytechnic College, said he did not know what happened at night on the first floor of the building. "We did not get any sound either," he told the police. According to police officials, a CID probe would be ordered into the twin murder.

Minister for industry promotion

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 27: State micro, small and medium scale industries and textile minister Mr Manab Mukherjee today held a meeting with Malda district officials and local entrepreneurs here to promote industries in the district. Other state officials, including principal secretary of the concerned departmnt Mr GD Goutam, commissioner of textiles Mr S Chaturvedi, managing director of WBSIDC Mr Manoj Panth and director of sericulture department Mr US Nandi were also present at the meeting. The minister suggested the Malda district magistrate to review the progress and monitor setting up of micro, small and medium scale industries in the district. "The interested entrepreneurs would get facilities to set up industries in the district with the help of the concerned departments, including banks. The bank officials have been asked to provide loans to the local traders for setting up small-scale industries," the minister, said. He stressed on the need to improve the condition of power loom, handloom, Khadi Udyog, and sericulture sectors. Officials have been instructed to expedite implementation of two projects under Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Yojona and Rural Employment Guarantee Programme for small industries. The bankers and district officials today raised the problem of recovery of debt under the PMGY scheme in the district. The minister, meanwhile, has suggested the self-help groups to set up micro industries in the district. Mr Mukherjee is likely to hold a similar meeting with the sericulture officials to discuss the progress of proposed silk park in the district.

Tech college stalemate continues

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 26: The stalemate surrounding placement of students studying at the Institute of Management and Professional Studies, a private engineering college here, is yet to be resolved.Classes were suspended at the IMPS following students' agitation on 17 September. The students were allegedly asked to vacate their hostel rooms. Though the Malda district administration had planned to hold talks with the students' representatives and the management of the college on 24 September to resolve the dispute, the meeting was not held. The administrative officer of the college, Mr Manik Chakraborty, said: "The meeting was cancelled because the students failed to vacate their hostel rooms within the stipulated time. We have now requested the district administration to hold the meeting on 28 September."According to college authorities, nearly 200 students are still staying at the hostel. Most of the first year and second year students, meanwhile, have left the hostel. The fourth year students started leaving for their homes today, they said. It may be recalled that on 16 September, the third year students of the college, including girls, started agitation demanding hundred percent placement. They allegedly confined the chairman of the college, Mr Bablu Bhattacharya, for a long time in his chamber. Later, a clash broke out between the police and students.

Civic body to probe mid-day meal 'scam'

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 26: In an apparent bid to prevent the Opposition from "politicising" the issue of alleged irregularities in utensil purchase for the mid-day meal scheme, the English Bazaar civic body chief, Mr Narendranath Tiwari, is likely to order an inquiry into the "scam" detected in three schools in Ward No 6 by the audit team recently. The Ward No 6 is under the control of an RSP councilor. A team of AG Bengal auditors had detected that authorities of the respective schools withdrew funds from the municipality for mid-day meal cooking. They, however, provided only dry rice to the students. The auditors had visited three schools and detected that the funds were adjusted in papers. The civic body chief, Mr Tiwari, said that action would be taken according to law after completion of inquiry. The Opposition councillors yesterday held a Press conference showing an abnormal bill of utensils for mid-day meal project which was submitted to the civic body chief for payment. They demanded vigilance inquiry into the scam.They alleged that the supplier had shown high prices for ordinary utensils in connivance with the civic body staff and ruling councillors. Opposition leader of the civic body, Mr DN Chaki, alleged that apart from the three primary schools in Ward No 6, many more schools are involved in the scam. It may be recalled that Opposition leaders of the Congress-led English Bazaar Municipality yesterday walked out of the board of councillors' meeting alleging misappropriation of funds in the name of implementing mid-day meal project.

Bid to avoid pollution during pujas

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 24: The Malda district administration has imposed various restrictions on Durga puja committees following instruction from the Pollution Control Board officials. Since Malda is the hometown of environment minister Mr Sailen Sarkar, the district administration is taking no chances as far as pollution is concerned. At a meeting held here on Saturday, the district administration officials told the puja committees not to dump puja requisites such as flowers, garlands, plants, leaves and other waste materials in the Mahananda river during immersion. Though the organisers would be allowed to immerse idols in the Mahananda, they would be asked to ensure that the garbage is cleared after immersion. Though the civic body would take responsibility to clear the river, the organisers will have to pay service charge to them. Meanwhile, the Malda SDO, Ms Arunima De, has expressed concern over alleged extortion by puja organisers in the name of collecting puja subscription. It has been alleged that members of some puja committees are forcibly collecting subscription from drivers and vehicle owners by blocking state and national highways. Officials have alerted the organisers against "extortion". It has also been decided that no new puja will be allowed in the district this year. The puja organisers have been instructed not to encroach additional areas on busy roads in the town. Microphones below 60 decibels will be allowed till 9 p.m. only. The district magistrate, police superintendent, additional district magistrate and sub-divisional officials were present in Saturday's meeting organised by members of the Malda Merchants' Chambers of Commerce. The English Bazaar civic body has promised that it would engage workers to clear waste from river after immersion of idols. The district administration, in collaboration with MMCC, would award three best puja committees.

Flood alert

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 24: Though the water level in the Ganges at Manikchak was today recorded at 23.56 metres, far below the danger mark, the Malda district administration has taken precautionary measures to avoid floods following depression in Bay of Bengal. Officials of the flood cell section have been asked to remain alert to deal with any eventuality. With heavy rains lashing south Bengal districts, the irrigation officials have not ruled out the possibility of fresh floods in the district. "The flood control cell will remain alert till the end of September," they said. It may be recalled that in 1995, 1996 and 1999 many parts of Malda district, including English Bazaar town, were inundated during September following continuous rainfall. The district receives heavy rains in the last week of September every year, officials, said. "This year there is no chance of heavy rainfall because the district has already received 1463 mm o rainfall which is more than average rainfalls, 1450 mm, every year," said a senior engineer of the Malda irrigation division. According to irrigation officials, a flood alert has been sounded in the state owing to depression in Bay of Bengal that caused heavy rainfall in Jharkhand. "The rainwaters from Jharkhand would come down through Murshidabad, Birbhum and Burdwan districts," officials, added.

One held for bullet theft

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 23: Police last night arrested one Abdul Barek in connection with recent bullet theft from a police camp set up at Laxmighaat village in the English Bazaar police station area. Over 50 bullets were found missing on 7 July this year. The Malda SP, Mr DK Mondal, had started an inquiry into the theft on 9 July. Three constables were suspended in this connection and the camp was winded up following the incident. Though the police had earlier arrested two persons in this connection, they failed to trace the bullets. The arrested persons got bail from the court latter. Acting on a tip-off, police intercepted Abdul Barek yesterday evening. "Barek has so far not disclosed anything about the theft. We suspect he is the main culprit," the SP, Mr Mondal, said. He added that the missing bullets are yet to be traced. Police today urged the court to remand Barek in police custody for seven days. The accused was admitted to Malda district hospital after he complained of illness this afternoon. Barek, it was learnt, had links with police officials posted at the camp at Laxmighaat village. The camp was set up there after a mango trader was hacked to death recently.

Doctor-criminal nexus in Malda ???

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 21: A racket comprising a few doctors, medical representatives, police and anti-socials is allegedly "looting" poor patients at the Malda district hospital in the name of selling medicines to them. The hospital authorities have failed to curb the menace despite health minister Dr Suryakata Mishra's instruction. The minister who visited the hospital recently had instructed the authorities concerned to ensure that the patients get medicines free of cost. Though the Democratic Youth Federation of India activists tried to submit a memorandum to the hospital authorities yesterday against the illegal practice, they failed to do so owing to violence on the hospital campus over the alleged molestation of a woman at the hands of a National Volunteer Force constable. "The Malda district hospital premises is not safe for the common people at night. Anti-socials snatch prescriptions from the relatives of patients at midnight and force them to buy costly medicines prescribed by the doctors known to them. Yesterday's incident has exposed the real picture of the hospital," said a senior DYFI leader. It may be recalled that the DYFI leaders had recently protested against the appointment of local youths as security guards in various wards of the hospital on contract basis. The newly appointed security guards, who are allegedly backed by the local CPI-M leaders, function without wearing proper uniforms, making it extremely difficult for the common people who visit the hospital at night to identify them.The health minister, Dr Suryakanta Mishra, has visited the hospital several times over the past few months. He had recently instructed the hospital authorities to appoint retired Army personnel as security guards. Though the hospital authorities tried to implement the minister's proposal, the Malda district administration is showing a dilly-dallying attitude in making the proposal a reality owing to pressure from local CPI-M leaders. The CPI-M zonal committee member and local councilor, Mr DN Chaki, said: "A group of doctors belonging to gynaecology department are involved in the racket. They are forcing the patients' relatives to buy costly medicines in a bid to run their own business." The Malda CMOH, Dr Radha Raman Banik, said they would take measures to discourage forcible sell of medicines to the patients at the Malda district hospital. "As far as the appointment of security guards is concerned, we have already taken steps to recruit retired Army personnel."

Dacoit lynched

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 21: A robber was beaten to death by locals on BS Road, in the heart of English Bazaar town, this evening.According to police, a group of three armed robbers entered into the jewellery shop of one Mr Subhendu Neogi during a power cut this evening. They roughed up Mr Neogi and tried to loot jewelleries from his shop. Mr Neogi, however, raised an alarm and the locals managed to catch one of the dacoits. They later lynched the dacoit before the police could reach the spot. An injured Mr Neogi is undergoing treatment at the Malda district hospital.While one of the three dacoits was declared brought dead at the Malda district hospital, the other two managed to escape from the jewellery shop after the locals chased them.

"NVF man innocent'

MALDA, Sept. 21: Senior police officials today came out in support of Pyarelal Mahato, the 52-year-old National Volunteer Force constable who was arrested yesterday on charges of molesting a 50-year-old woman on the Malda district hospital campus."If the primary investigations are anything to go by, the woman was molested by someone else and the NVF constable was victimised. The man left the spot after molesting the woman and Mahato bore the brunt of the locals' protest," the Malda additional superintendent of police, Mr S Sarkar, said. Mahato, who was severely assaulted by the locals after the incident yesterday, is still undergoing treatment at the Malda district hospital. His condition is stated to be stable. The police, on the other hand, have planned to arrest those involved in ransacking the police outpost set up on the hospital campus. Yesterday, a group of people, backed by the Youth Congress activists, uprooted police tents near the hospital to protest against the incident. "The mob was provoked to attack an innocent Mahato. We arrested yesterday in a bid to calm the tension," said a senior police official. n SNS

Malda traders up the ante

MALDA, Sept. 20: Members of the Malda Merchants' Chamber of Commerce today threatened to boycott electricity bill payment if the West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited failed to solve the problem of frequent power cuts here.The MMCC members today informed their electricity bill boycott plan to the superintending engineer of WBSEDCL, Malda, and faxed the same message to Mr AK Bala, a senior WBSEDCL official posted in Kolkata. Copies of the letter have also been forwarded to the Malda district magistrate and the superintendent of police. The letter submitted by the MMCC members to the SE of Malda WBSEDCL, read: "Frequent power cuts have hampered production at small and medium scale industrial units here. The business community, especially the shopkeepers, is unhappy with the electric supply disorder in the town over past few weeks. Under the circumstances, we do not have any other option but to boycott the electricity bill payment from this month." The traders alleged that last night the residents of the town failed to watch India's match against England in the Twenty20 World Cup owing to power cut. Mr AK Bala, secretary of the WBSEDCL, who visited Malda last Friday had blamed inadequate supply of electricity for frequent power cuts here. Traders, however, alleged that the officials concerned are not taking measures to meet power requirement. #SNS

Cop arrested on molestation charges

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 20: Pyarelal Mahato (52), a National Volunteer Force personnel was arrested today on charges of molesting a 50-year-old woman on the Malda district hospital premises.Angry locals manhandled the accused NVF personnel who is now undergoing treatment at the Malda district hospital in a serious condition, Malda additional superintendent of police Mr S Sarkar, said.It was alleged that Mahato forcibly took the woman to a nearby police outpost this morning and molested her there. According to police, the woman, a resident of Kaliachak, stayed at the hospital last night where her husband is undergoing treatment. The relatives of the woman rescued her after she raised an alarm.The incident irked the locals and they manhandled the NVF personnel. The angry mob also tried to ransack the police outpost set up on the hospital premises. The Malda Youth Congress leaders later staged a demonstration at the hospital, criticising the police for alleged lack of security on the hospital premises. The Congress leaders, meanwhile, have demanded suspension of all police personnel who were on duty at the outpost when the incident occurred this morning.The Congress supporters also blocked national highway-34 at English Bazaar to protest against the incident. The I-C of English Bazaar police station rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control. The Malda SP, Mr DK, Mondal, said: "We can not suspend all policemen of the outpost. The accused NVF personnel, however, will definitely be suspended."

Urban students 'deprived' of mid-day meal

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 19: The Malda district inspector of schools, primary education, Mr KN Sinha, today said he was not aware why the mid-day meal project had been suspended in the urban areas of the district. Though the primary students from urban areas are allegedly deprived of the mid-day meal facility, the district administration is trying hard to bring back at least 80 percent dropouts out of 1800 ones in English Bazaar municipal area by luring them with the mid-day meal offer. Speaking to The Statesman over telephone, the DI, Mr Sinha, said: "I do not know anything about mid-day meal project in urban areas. The sub-inspectors responsible for Urban I and II circle offices will be able to explain the cause behind the suspension of the mid-day meal project in the urban areas. The block office and municipality allot rice to the schools. They do not send the list of allotments to my office."The additional district magistrate of Malda, Mr PC Shit, said: "The mid-day meal project has not been implemented properly in urban areas owing to technical problem. We will discuss the issue with the officials concerned."The English Bazaar civic body chief, Mr Narendranath Tiwari, said: "The mid-day meal project has been started partly in some wards. Councillors took the initiative despite lack of proper infrastructure." Mr Tiwari claimed that the quantity of rice was not adequate and the quality was poor. "In many places, there are no infrastructure to provide cooked food to the students under the mid-day meal project. The allotment of funds is not satisfactory to run the project," Mr Tiawri, added. It may be recalled that at a time when the government instructed the school authorities to provide cooked food, it was detected that some primary schools in Malda are still distributing rice to the students to avoid burden of cooked food distribution. In Malda which is declared as backward district the government has planned to implement the mid-day meal project up to upper primary level, including high schools The proposal, however, is yet to be implemented.

Protests over poor road turns violent in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 19: At least 10 people, including seven women, were injured in a clash between a group of labourers backed by a local promoter and villagers at Jhanjhra in Malda police station area today. Trouble broke today when villagers, mostly women, protested against movement of heavy vehicles on a narrow and poor village road made of soil. A lorry laden with iron rods was trying to enter the godown via the road. Five women, who received head injuries, were admitted to local hospital.Police have arrested three persons in connection with the clash. It was alleged that labourers backed by a local promoter attacked the houses of the villagers and assaulted women.Senior police officials and the block development officer rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control.The BDO has reportedly instructed the police to take necessary steps against the attackers.A police picket has also been set up in the area to defuse tension. Villagers had earlier requested the local panchayat members to stop plying of heavy vehicles on the narrow road, but to no avail. They became furious today seeing heavy vehicles plying on the road. A clash broke out between the two sides over the issue. Police said they have started an investigation into the incident.

State officials want food processing boost

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept 18: State officials and scientists met today to discuss the prospect of developing world-class food processing units in Malda in order to compete with other countries. Experts said it would be difficult to be competitive if the quality of the produce is not up to the mark. Mr Sanjay Singh, director of Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council under the government's science and technology department, and other state officials including three scientists from IIT Kharagpur and Jadavpur University met with the district administrative officials. Not only the officials of the state food processing industries and horticulture officials were present but also the former minister of this department Mr. Sailen Sarkar was also present at the meeting today. The English Bazaar MLA Mr Krishnendu Choudhury said he had approached the director of the TIFAC, Mr Sanjay Singh, six months ago to provide assistance to boost up food processing industries in this district. The team today visited two private food-processing units and one cooperative society who are working on mango products and maize. The TIFAC director and scientists also interacted with the leaders of the Malda Merchants Chamber of Commerce and entrepreneurs of this district who have set up food processing units and are interested to set up units in the Malda Food Park. The team was happy with the prospect of the ongoing project of Malda Food Park after visiting the site. Mr Sailen Sarkar, environment minister, disclosed that he tried hard to boost food processing industries here which is under process at present. Mr Sarkar approached Mr Singh and other senior officials of Khadi Village Commission to extend assistance to the industrialists for food process units here. On behalf of the state government, Mr Sarkar asked them to extend all possible help to form a cluster here for the sake of food processing unit.

Constable suspended for dereliction of duty

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept 18: Mr Anil Sarkar, a constable of Malda GRP has been suspended, on charges of negligence of duty on train. The superintendent of railway police in Siliguri today issued an order of his suspension after completion of inquiry into the case of robbery on board the Guwahati-Bangalore express train. Mr Sarkar was summoned by SRP Siliguri to appear before the hearing conducted in his office today. A six-member GRP team was on duty in the Guwahati-Bangalore train and one of them Mr Sarkar, one of the six has been accused of neglect of duty. A few weeks ago a group of 12-armed dacoits looted passengers of the general compartment and got down near Suryakamal railway station after pulling the chain. This is the third case of train robbery in this particular zone that has occurred in the past few months. In each case the robbers fled by getting down the train close to the Suryakamal railway station after, which is under the North Dinajpur area. “After conducting raids the police had been able to detect the gang and arrested five of them who are are residents of Kanki in North Dinajpur district. Police also recovered looted materials such as wristwatch, ornaments and mobile phones”, said IC Malda GRP Mr S Dasgupta. Last month a gang of robbers looted Sealdah bound Darjeeling mail and fled from Suryakamal area. The angry mob had beaten the guard of the train and a constable at the spot.

Institute seeks govt help to quell students' protest

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 17: Having failed to control the students’ agitation which began since Saturday night over the issue of confirmation of placement for all students, the authorities of the Malda Institute of Management and Professional Studies today sought administrative help to sort out the stalemate. The district administrative officials today visited the campus and approached the students to vacate the campus temporarily and invited their representatives to attend a meeting convened by the administration on 24 September on this issue. The college authorities yesterday issued notice to vacate the campus for repairing damaged assets of the institution, including the table chair glass windows. On Saturday night hundreds of angry students led by a group of third year students ransacked the furniture in the campus where valuable documents were set on fire. They decided not to leave the campus at present without the assurance of 100 per cent job placement. Ignoring police interference, the students have planned to organise Biwakarma Puja in the campus here. The helpless management allowed them to hold the puja within the hostel fearing fresh violence.The students led by their seniors attacked the police after lathicharge on Saturday night to rescue the chairman of the college, who was confined by them. Today evening immediate steps were sought to avoid ragging through out the night. The administrative officer of the college, Mr. Manik Chakraborty, lodged a written complaint with the Sub Divisional Officer Ms Arunima De saying that the senior students have brought all the first year boys and girls to the hostel campus from their separate lodgings located outside the campus. Mr. Chakraborty said: “The senior students are forcing the first year ones to join the agitation and stay in the campus hostel. The first year students have been forced to work for the Biswakarma puja tonight”. “One of them fled from the hostel and informed the management,” Mr Chakraborty said. It may be noted that following the court order, the college authorities had arranged for separate hostel facilities for boys and girls outside of the campus. At present more than 275 students are in the campus hostel to continue their agitation. The college authorities said that no one can provide 100 per cent placement for all the students”. Out of 250 4th year students, 50 have got placement. “We are trying hard to arrange placements for 3rd year students next time. results and merit.”, Mr. Chakraborty said.

Studnets , cops clash in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 16: The campus of Institute of Management for Private Professional Studies, a private engineering college in Malda, turned into a battlefield last night following students' agitation over placement demand. More than six students were injured in a clash with police. The agitating students accused the police of resorting to lathicharge. Trouble broke out when a police team from English Bazaar tried to rescue the chairman of the institute and other teachers who were allegedly confined by the students in a room. The I-C of English Bazaar police station, however, said the students' allegation that the police resorted to lathicharge was false. He instead accused the students of attacking the police. Though the students decided to boycott classes following last night's incident, they became furious today after the college authorities allegedly instructed them to vacate residential hostels. The students have continued their agitation criticising the college authorities for their apparent failure in providing placement to them. It may be recalled that a few years ago, students had protested against the college management on the same issue. "We are not in a position to manage placement at as the results of the college is not up to mark. The reputed organisations are not interested in recruiting our students owing to bad results," said a teacher of the college on condition of anonymity.

Adhir arrested

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 7: Berhampur MP Mr Adhir Chowdhury was arrested from outside the Berharmpur Court in Murshidabad today in connection with two “pending cases.” Mr Choudhury surrendered before the Murshidabad chief judicial magistrate court in connection with a twin murder case this morning following an arrest order issued by the Calcutta High Court recently. Though the CJM granted his bail plea, police arrested him in connection with two other cases when he was coming out of the Court. Mr Chowdhury was charged with the murder case of a panchayat chief Gobardhan Ghosh in Burdwan district in 2003 and a looting case in Murshidabad district in 2006. He was acquitted in twin murder case by the lower court earlier. Mr Adhir Choudhury told reporters that the arrest was preplanned and a conspiracy of the CPI-M and its police. The MP said that he could not attend the programme scheduled to be held on 9 September in Murshidabad where external affairs minister Mr Pranab Mukherjee will address the meeting.” Mr Adhir Choudhury was lodged in Berhampur correctional home after the arrest. Murshidabad police produced him again in the CJM Court. The MP would be produced in Katwa Court tomorrow. Owing to the stir by lawyers in the Berhampore Court since yesterday, Mr Choudhury argued himself, for the bail. The court remanded him in jail in connection with the murder of Gobardhan Ghosh, a panchayat pradhan in Burdwan district. Interestingly, as the Berhampore MP came to surrender before the court, the inspector in-charge produced two-arrest warrants against him before the CJM, Mr A Chatterjee and urged him to hand over the MP to the police. The CJM, Mr Chatterjee, criticised the attitude of the police officer and said: “I cannot allow anybody to arrest anyone here. The cases were not before me and I have no information about them. Police may execute their duties outside the court,” he said. A group of lawyers criticised the police for the arrest. The youth Congress supporters staged a demonstration against the arrest.Home secretary Mr Prasad Ray said at Writers’ Buildings that police would take action against those who violated law while protesting against the arrest.

Nithari witness drowns

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept 6: Murshidabad police today started a fresh inquiry into the unnatural death of Jatin Sakar, who is one of the witnesses of Nithari killing case. On Sunday Murshidabad police registered the case that Jatin was drunken and drowned in Bhagirathi River in Berhampur town. But after receiving a phone call from the Uttar Pradesh police last evening the superintendent of police Mr Rahul Srivastava has asked the deputy superintendent of police (headquarters) to investigate the matter thoroughly including the report of his post mortem. Pinki Sarkar, Jatin Sarkar’s daughter was one of the victims in Maninder Singh Pandher Nithari case. “Jatin was the ‘de facto complainant’ of Nithari case. “We have started investigating into the case after receiving a phone call from Uttar Pradesh police”, the Murshidabad SP Mr Rahul Srivastava told the reporters today. Jatin and his family returned to Berhampur’s Gandhi colony in Murshidabad, 225 km from Kolkata, a few weeks ago from Gaziabad police station area. He had initiated a case against Maninder Shingh Pandher and alleged that he killed his daughter. Jatin’s wife Vandana Sarkar told reporters that she understood that her husband drowned in the river because he was drunk.Vandana told reporters that they had received threat calls on his son’s cell phone in the last few days, before her husband’s death. The threat call was related to the Nithari case. “I suspect there is a mystery behind the death of my husband”, she told reporters. She did not lodge any complaint officially with police. Vandana said: “Maya Sarkar, who was one of the co-accused in Nithari killing case and is under custody, had introduced Pinki with Maninder.” Maya, a resident of Malda’s Bamongola police station, was the maid at Maninder’s residence.

Flood situation grim

Statesman News Service

COOCH BEHAR/MALDA, Sept 6: The Teesta, Kaljani and Mansai rivers are still flowing above the danger mark in Cooch Behar district. Yellow signal was flashed over these rivers today. One person, meanwhile, is feared drowned in the floodwaters in Mathabhanga sub-division.Additional district magistrate (development) Mr Pannalal Mahapatra said the water levels in the Gadadhar and the Kaljani rivers in Tufanganj are showing a rising trend. The situation might turn worse if the downpour continues, he opined.In Mekhliganj sub-division, the Teesta breached about 90-metre of its embankment at Kuchlibari area. Yesterday, the damage was about 30-metre only. To stop the river from approaching towards adjoining villages the irrigation division officials are working overnight. Sandbags, boulders and iron wire-nets are being used to stop erosion. About 5,000 people of the area are suffering from fear. ADM (D) Mr Mahapatra said the BDO of the area was instructed to open relief camps for the affected people.In Tufanganj, the river erosion has continued unabated. Rise of water levels in the Kaljani and the Gadadhar has worsened the situation. Erosion is continuing in Ambari area also in Cooch Behar-II block. Meanwhile, one Subhas Barman (36) disappeared in the floodwaters of the Sutunga river in Mathabhanga sub-division today. Barman, a resident of Nayarhat village, was reportedly going to work under the 100-day job scheme. While he was swimming to cross the Sutunga river, he suddenly went missing around 11.30 a.m. Locals tried hard to rescue him but failed. Search operation was on till evening. Cooch Behar ADM (D) Mr Mahapatra said there is no scarcity of relief materials in the district. He said if downpour continues at the upper catchment areas, the situation may turn grave. Mr Mahapatra added that no anti-erosion work is possible at this moment.Meanwhile, the water level in the Ganga rose in Malda district today following heavy rainfall in Uttar Pradesh and north Bihar. The river has started eroding its bank line, besides damaging a marginal embankment in Kaliachak III block. The Malda irrigation officials said that the water level in the Ganga would continue to rise in the next four days. According to information received from the Ganga Flood Control Commission, the water level in the Ganga is rising at various places. A Malda irrigation official, however, said that currently there is no flood threat in the district. According to officials, the water level in the Ganga was constant at 24.60 metres during the last four days. However, today its has increased by 4 cm.

BSF , police joint move to curb weapon smuggling

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept 5: The border security force and police officials of Malda have initiated a joint move to curb smuggling of sophisticated weapons along the Indo-Bangla border. The step has been taken following the recent recovery of an AK-47 rifle from a hotel here and arrest of two persons.Ranjit Sarkar, one of the arrested persons, reportedly made some revelations regarding smuggling of sophisticated weapons during police interrogation.The BSF and the police officials are trying to find out how the Bangladeshi people managed to cross the Indo-Bangladesh border to supply AK-47 rifles to smugglers at Pakuahat in Malda's Bamongola police station area. Ranjit reportedly confessed before the police that one Shyamal came here from Bangladesh and gave him the weapon. Senior BSF officials and Malda SP Mr DK Mondal today interrogated Ranjit again and went to his house to interrogate his relatives and neighbours. Speaking to The Statesman over telephone, Mr Mondal, said: "Ranjit is claiming that he had received the AK-47 rifle from one Shyamal, a resident of Bangladesh."The SP added that Ranjit had no criminal background.The BSF officials, on the other hand, have decided to step up vigilance along the border to curb smuggling of firearms and explosives from Bangladesh side.

A bitter experience on Teachers' Day

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept 5: Over 900 teachers of 61 state-owned schools in Malda district are upset with the education officials' decision to put the disbursement of salary on hold till the submission of audit reports by the authorities of these schools. It was a bitter Teachers' Day experience for these teachers today.It may be recalled that the Malda District Inspector of Schools (secondary education) had recently decided to put on hold the salary disbursement process in 61 schools till these schools submit their audit reports.If the officials are to be believed, these schools have not been submitting their audit reports since long. The treasury department, meanwhile, has found that of the 333 schools in the district, only 121 schools have submitted their audit reports till this year. Worse, at least 101 schools have failed to submit any of their previous audit reports. A total of 61 schools, including 33 madrassas were found "most guilty" by the education officials. "Some of the schools have not conducted audit for more than 20 years," said a treasury official. Mr Chinmoy Sarkar, Malda DI of schools, has instructed the erring schools to submit their audit reports by 31 October this year.

CPI-ML (L) leader continues fast

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept 5: Apart from deciding to continue their hunger-strike demanding flood relief for 97 families from Manikchak block, the CPI-ML (Liberation) leaders of Malda has called a "mass hunger-strike" over the issue tomorrow.Mr Naba Kumar Biswas, one of the CPI-ML (Liberation) leaders of Malda, has continued his fast in front of the Manikchak block development office over the issue.Mr Mrityunjay Das, a district committee leader of the party, today claimed that Mr Osman Ali, a CPI leader, has extended his support to the hunger-strike. It may be recalled that erosion and flood-hit villagers had recently blocked the state highway at Manikchak, extending their moral support to the movement launched by Mr Biswas. Mr Das said they would organise relay huger-strike from Friday if the administration fails to take measure. Yesterday, the district administration had sent a deputy magistrate, Mr S Mukherjee, to request Mr Biswas to call off his hunger-strike.The official had reportedly assured Mr Biswas that the 97 families would get flood relief from the state government. The CPI (ML) leader, however, refused to call off the strike, alleging that the block authorities did not agree to distribute tarpaulin sheets to all victims according to the list submitted by the locals. It was decided that a panchayat level all-political party meeting would be held on the issue of tarpaulin sheet distribution. The meeting, however, was postponed yesterday.

D M calls meeting on airport revival

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept 4: The Malda district magistrate, Mr CR Das, has convened an all-party meeting on 15 and 16 September to chalk out strategy for the revival of the Malda airport.According to sources, the DM would seek suggestions from the political leaders on how to deal with the high-rise buildings and mobile towers on the eastern side of the existing airport.These high-rise buildings and the mobile towers in the flying zone of the aircraft have made things difficult for the revival of the airport.The issue of land acquisition on the western side of the airport would also come up for discussion during the all-party meeting.Meanwhile, the Malda AAI authorities have objected to construction of tower line for electricity distribution and lodged a complaint with the administration against the electricity department. The Malda district administration officials are also looking into the matter and have decided to start dialogue with the officials of the electricity department.The Malda AAI authorities today completed survey work identifying obstructions in the flying zone for landing of aircrafts. The AAI officials have identified five buildings, including two hotels and two residential complexes, on the Station Road and National Highway 34 on the eastern side of the airstrip. Before the all-party meeting, the AAI authorities would submit the list of the obstructions to the administration.If the sources are to be believed, the state government would press the AAI authorities to work for the revival of the Malda airport after the inauguration of the Cooch Behar airport. Currently, the AAI is constructing boundary wall on its existing land. No funds has so far been sanctioned for land acquisition and construction of runway. The AAI had proposed the state government to allot sufficient land to it free of cost. The district administration had conducted a survey and informed the state government that 40 acres of land are available on the western side of the airport, which is required for landing of small aircrafts like ATR-42.