Ration dealers urged not to go on strike

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Nov. 12: The district administration including the controller of food and supplies, Mr NK Saha today requested the district secretary of the Malda ration dealers’ association not to go on an indefinite strike. “I have spoken to the district magistrate and the director of our department regarding the matter and conveyed our views to the dealers requesting them not to go on strike. We told them that we would try to provide security to save them from public outrage,” said Mr Saha. “We would not change our decision. The administration has failed to provide protection to our dealers. As a result we would go on strike from today," said Mr Pramod Ghosh, the district secretary of the Malda ration dealers, over the phone from his meeting with other dealers today. Last week the dealers’ association informed the administration that they would go on strike from today if people continue to attack dealers. “We do not believe in the administration's assurance. "Today our dealer Mr Bishnu Pada Saha was attacked by several villagers in Kaliachak-III area," Mr Ghosh told The Statesman. The mob had blocked the road and prevented the police from entering the village by throwing stones at them, said sources. Mr Saha admitted that one dealer was attacked by an angry mob today at Bhagabanpur in Kaliachak III. The department has sent officials for investigation there. Two more dealers have been suspended on charges of irregularities in Kaliachak II and Old Malda Block. In all 25 modified ration dealers have been suspended till date due to public outrage.