Wild boar menace in Malda

Manas R Bannerjee

MALDA, Aug 30: Elephants, leopards, rhinos and now wild boars ~ the man animal conflict in north Bengal has assumed a special tangent following successive wild boar attacks since Tuesday night in the islands created by the Ganga in Malda district.At least 20 people have sustained injury from the wild boar raids in two villages ~ Jitunagar and Vilpara ~ that are on islands created by the Ganga under Kaliachak II block. The critically injured have had to be admitted to hospitals. Four persons have been admitted to the Bangitola rural hospital and five others have been admitted to the Malda district hospital. In retaliation, the villagers have killed two of the raiding boars. According to them, the others have taken refuge in the thicket causing more sleepless nights for the them. Forest department officials went to the islands today and tried to trap the remaining three boars without success. The forest department now plans to engage a hunter to do the jobAccording to a forest official Mr Jagannath Mondal, the department is trying to fetch a hunter from Siliguri. It remains unknown whether the boars would be tranquilised or shot down. According to the residents of Jitunagar and Vilpara, the raiding boars are huge, almost the size of elephant calves."They have large tusk like projections from the corner of their mouths and those are proving deadly weapons," the villagers, said. According to the villagers, the boars have arrived from Jharkhand on the western side of the Ganga. The Malda SP, Mr DK Mondal, has instructed the Mothabari out post to monitor the situation and extend help to the villagers.

Malda hospital ransacked

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 30: Following the death of two patients, angry relatives ransacked the Malda district hospital this evening alleging negligence on the part of the doctors. Policemen posted at the hospital were also assaulted when they tried to prevent the agitators from damaging government property. The raiders damaged the male medical ward, ECG section, out door and other sections of the hospital. According to the agitators, one Giyasuddin Sheikh was admitted to Malda district hospital on Tuesday with chest pain but he was not attended at all. "Giyasuddin died today without treatment," they alleged. In another incident, one Khabiruddin Sheikh was admitted to Malda district hospital today and died after admission. The trouble intensified when relatives of the second victim joined the friends and relatives of Giyasuddin, who were already on the rampage.

Malda court acquits Maoist leader

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 30: The Malda court today acquitted Maoist leader Mr Animesh Chakraborty of all charges brought against him by the Malda police. The learned judge Mr Tapan Sinha released him along with 11 others in a verdict at the fast track court. The Darjeeling district police had arrested Mr Chakrabarty from the Naxalbari area in Siliguri sub-division three years ago. He was in jail custody in Siliguri and then transferred to Malda in connection with several cases. Later he was transferred to West Midnapore jail in connection with Maoist activity and the Belpahari blast cases. The charges against him included 'waging war against the state.'Mr Chakrabarty had been agitating inside the Malda jail campus as well on various issues and demand for political prisoner status. His lawyer Mr Goutam Mukherjee today claimed: "The police have failed to substantiate the charges brought against Mr Chakrabarty. Neither could they prove the anti-state activity or murder charges against him. Today's verdict shows Animesh is innocent." Happy with his release Mr Chakrabarty later said: "The police used unlawful means to frame me. They also tried to confine me within the prison walls for as long as they could but their efforts have failed."

Move to restore traffic on N H 34

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 30: Mr Uttpal Dutta, additional director general (traffic), held a meeting with senior police officials of Malda including the SP and the DIG range to normalise traffic movement on the national highway 34 following the recent collapse of a Bailey bridge at Domohona in North Dinajpur.Ever since the bridge collapse, traffic movement has remained disrupted on the highway resulting in crisis of essential commodities.Thousands of lorries carrying various essential items have remained stranded on NH-34 in Murshidabad and Express highways in Birbhum. As a result, supply of essential commodities to the north Bengal districts has been affected. The ADG (traffic) reviewed the traffic situation today and instructed the police to allow up to six-wheeler vehicles loaded with essential items to reach Malda, North Dinajpur and South Dinajpur districts.Other heavy vehicles, especially those more than six-wheelers, will be allowed up to ply on the highway up to Gazole in Malda. The Malda SP, Mr DK Mondal, said that traders from Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, Darjeeling and the North-eastern states would be allowed to load the essential items in up to six wheeler vehicles and carry those to their respective destinations. "Goods will be unloaded at Gazole from more than six wheeler lorries and loaded in other lorries. These lorries will then be allowed to use the Bengal to Bengal road bypassing the collapsed Domohona bridge," Mr Mondal, said. "Over 250 ten-wheeler vehicles, tankers and lorries carrying different items have remained stranded at English Bazaar for the past few days," police said. The ADG later for Raiganj in North Dinjapur to observe the situation there. Meanwhile, people of Malda, North Dinajpur and South Dinajpur districts have been hit hard following an increase in the prices of essential commodities after the bridge collapse.

Probe begins into funds 'defalcation'

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 29: Mr Sujoy Bandyopadhyay, the deputy director of panchayat and rural development, today started an inquiry into alleged violation of Centre's guidelines by the Malda zilla parishad in utilisation of Rs 86.20 lakhs allotted to it under the Pradhan Mantri Gramodaya Yojona scheme. It may be recalled that the Malda CPI-M secretary, Mr Jiban Moitra, had recently lodged a complaint with the authorities concerned, accusing the MZP authorities of "defalcating" the Central funds. Mr Bandyopadhyay today interacted with Mr Moitra, the complainant, and sought additional papers from him regarding the beneficiary list made by the MZP violating the government's guidelines. The P&RD had instructed the Malda district magistrate to extend cooperation with the deputy director, Mr Bandyopadhayay by supplying files from the MZP for any clarification related to the accounts and its audit report made by the auditor general of West Bengal. The copy of the letter was also forwarded to the additional executive officer and the sabhadhipati of MZP. The AG Bengal had detected that the funds meant for PMGY (GA) were distributed by the MZP to 281 beneficiaries, out of 431 ones, who were non-schedule caste and tribes. The PMGY was launched for the SC, ST and other backward classes. Audit report showed that the funds had been distributed among the beneficiaries via gram panchayat pradhan under 14-panchayet samiti including non SC and ST belt in the name of rehabilitation of erosion victims in February 2004. There was no signature of the then executive officer of the MZP in the order of the allotment for distribution. The principal secretary of P&RD, Mr MN Roy, had sent a letter to the MZP on 20 September 2005 and instructed it to follow the proper guidelines for distribution of such funds.

Teacher held on cheating charges

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 29: Sudeb Adhikary, headmaster of Soneghat High School in Bamongola, was arrested from his English Bazaar residence late last night on charges of cheating a large number of unemployed youths. Police produced him in Malda court today under section 420 / 427 / 467 / 468/ 471 IPC. He was remanded in police custody for more interrogation. Police had received many complaints against him and his associates a few months ago and started investigation. Though one person was arrested in connection with the case earlier, the police could not arrest the headmaster owing to lack of evidences. Recently, police collected some documents in connection with the case and arrested Adhikary from his residence around 10.30 p.m. yesterday. "We are consulting with cryptographers to establish that Mr Adhikary was involved in the racket," the Malda SP, Mr DK Mondal, said. Before formation of the School Service Commission Mr Adhikary and his associates allegedly used to take money from educated unemployed youths ensuring them job in secondary and higher secondary schools.

Fresh erosion in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 28: Massive erosion on the left bank of the Ganga since last night has gobbled up three villages in Manikchak block, rendering hundreds of families homeless. Residents of Lochontola, Bechutola and Chhakkutola villages have lost their houses and properties owing to the Ganga's fury. The river has eaten up its banks in the three villages and gobbled up a large number of houses. Villagers alleged that the block officials have so far not extended any help to them. "The roads have been eroded away in the three villages. As a result, we are finding it difficult to shift to safer places," they said. Eyewitnesses said that more than 100 houses were eroded away and rest damaged in the three villages.In a bid to avoid law and order problem, the Malda superintendent of police, Mr DK Mondal, has instructed the Manikchak block officials to help the villagers in shifting to safer places. It may be recalled that a few weeks ago, more than 30 houses were eroded away at Bechutola near Domhat area in Manikchak block. The irrigation officials had forecast that nearly eight km area in the up stream from Manickchak Ghaat to Khaskol including the mid point stretching Jothpatta and Domhat is vulnerable to erosion due to meandering trend of the Ganges."The water level in the Ganges would continue to rise in the second week of September," said Mr S Misra, the executive engineer of Malda irrigation department. Since the FBP has taken the responsibility to check erosion on the left bank of the Ganges in Malda district, the Malda irrigation officials are snot visiting the erosion-hit areas to assess losses.

Faulty catheters have patients in a spot

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 26: In a incident, which would remind one of those that surfaced during the faulty blood testing kit scam in the state, government doctors in Malda district hospital have detected a large number of faulty catheters in their supply. They are now at their wits’ end on how to to calm suffering patients and how to decide on the pack of catheters provided to them by hospital authorities. The government doctors’ association submitted a document to the Malda chief medical officer of health on Friday alleging that the present stock of catheters was defective and had caused great trouble to the patients. Patients who faced critical problems after using the faulty catheters in Malda district hospital had to go to Kolkata for removal of the catheters after the local doctors failed to do so. Some other patients were admitted to the local nursing home and had to undergo an operation to get the catheter removed from the penis. The embarrassed doctors demanded immediate replacement of the ‘poor quality’ catheters and an inquiry into the corruption related to procurement of catheters and other medicines for the patients. “I have got into big trouble after having failed to remove the catheter from a patient’s penis,” a doctor said, under condition of anonymity. The Malda CMOH, Mr R R Banik, could not disclose the source of procurement of catheters in Malda district hospital. The doctors wanted to know who had bought the catheters, whether it has been supplied by state health department or locally procured by the district health committee. The deputy CMOH has been asked to look into the matter and a committee has been formed to submit a report on this issue.

Lorries wait to cross Domohona

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 26: The Malda Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce yesterday urged the Malda district magistrate to take steps necessary to release lorries that were loaded with and stranded at Farakka and other places in Murshidabad district. Hundreds of lorries heading towards Malda North and South Dinajpur districts were stranded in Murshidabad and Birbhum district due to the collapse of the Domohona bridge, over the Sudani river in North Dinajpur that disrupted traffic movement on N H 34. The MMCC members fear that the Malda market would face a sugar crisis if sugar loaded lorries remain stranded day after day. Yesterday, the sugar merchants said that they had taken up the matter with the MMCC.“We will have to face a sugar crisis if police does not let go of the sugar loaded lorries coming from Burdwan, via express highway, to Malda”, secretary MMCC, Mr Jayanta Kundu, said. “Market prices of some items coming from north Bengal and northeast have been hiked due to excessive transportation cost after the collapse of thebridge”, he said. Mr Kundu claimed that lorries carrying goods from Raiganj in North Dinapur are coming via an alternative route that has increased its fare by Rs.1200.“Police are not allowing them to ply on N H 34 from Raiganj to Malda directly so as to reduce traffic congestion. Now, hundreds of lorries are stranded in Malda and North Dinajpur”, he said. Usually fish, vegetables, spices and other essential items come from south Bengal and other states in this region. Export to Bangladesh through Mahadipur and other land ports in north Bengal has been hit due to traffic congestion on the N H 34 in Murshidabad, Malda and North Dinjapur after the bridge collapse.

Pregnant woman beaten up over Rs.4

MALDA, Aug 25: Even pregnant women cannot escape the wrath of mobs in some places of the state, it appears. Allegedly beaten by some traders, a pregnant woman had to be hospitalized in Malda today. The victim had allegedly stolen Rs 4 from a shop at Nasirtola village under Kaliachak police station. The traders also beat the victim’s husband Bakhter Sheikh. Both were admitted to Malda hospital with head injuries. An altercation broke out among the traders and the woman when it was detected that her six-year-old son had stolen Rs 4 from a small shop in the village. “The situation worsened when the male members of the family interfered following which, the traders beat both the husband and the wife,” Malda SP Mr DK Mondal, said. SNS

Traffic woes after bridge collapse

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 24: In a bid to reduce the load on National Highway 34, the Murshidabad police are diverting a large number of heavy vehicles carrying goods to north Bengal and the North-eastern states from Morgram, an important point of the express highway, the Malda SP, Mr DK Mondal, said today. He said that the police have restricted the movement of heavy trucks on NH-34 from 10 am today, considering the situation of thousands of trucks which were stranded on the highway in North Dinajpur in the past two days after the Domohona Bailey bridge collapse. “The Murshidabad police are diverting the lorries via Pakur in Jharkhand which is connected with Bihar,” Mr Mondal, added. The administration has not yet found an alternative route connecting NH-81 from Gazole’s Kadumari More to NH-34 because the condition of roads has deteriorated. “The seven-km road, connecting the borders of Bengal and Bihar is not in a condition to carry traffic. There is a single connecting road at Kushida in Harischandrapur on the Bengal side where heavy trucks will not be allowed,” Mr Mondal, said. Though the authorities had decided to develop NH-81 from Gazole to the Bengal-Bihar border as an alternative and took the initiative three years ago, the project was discontinued owing to several “technical difficulties” in Malda. Mr Srikumar Bhattachaya, a senior official of the National Highway Authority of India, said they would think of developing an alternative to NH-34 after the collapse of the Domohona bridge. On the other hand, NH-34 is in a deplorable state from Malda to Gazole due to monsoon rains. There are a number of potholes and craters on the road which would create problems at least for 14 km for the drivers. The NHAI would start repair work before the Pujas when the monsoon is over. “The regular maintenance and proper supervision of NH-34 from Barasat in the North-24 Parganas to Dalkhola in North Dinajpur has been neglected in the last few years for the proposed widening project, which is still a distant dream,” said a senior Malda district administration official.

NHAI holds consultancy firm responsible

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 23: Mr Srikumar Bhattacharya, a senior official of the National Highway Authority of India today said that Rites Limited, a consultancy firm assigned by the highway authorities to oversee maintenance of NH-34 in North Dinajpur, did not inform them about the dilapidated condition of the Bailey bridge over the Sudani river at Domohona that collapsed yesterday. “It was a lapse on our part. Now, we have to look for alternate ways to maintain the highway. An internal inquiry into yesterday’s tragic mishap would be ordered by the highway authorities,” Mr Bhattacharya, superintending engineer, NHAI, said. “Though we were told that four bridges are vulnerable to accident on NH-34 in North Dinajpur, we had no idea about the dilapidated condition of the Bailey bridge over the Sudani,” Mr Bhattacharya, added. The bridge in question collapsed several times in the recent past. Meanwhile, the , Mahananda bridge in Malda is very weak and incapable of bearing heavy load, Mr Bhattacharya, said. He added that it would take at least one month to restore the Bailey bridge that collapsed yesterday. The North Bengal I-G, Mr RJS Nalwa, who is monitoring traffic on NH-34 after yesterday’s incident, said efforts are on to find alternative routes to maintain road communication between south Bengal and North-eastern states including Siliguri. Mr Nalway today discussed the matter with Malda SP Mr DK Mondal. #

Teachers confined

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 23: Demanding revival of mid-day meal at the Nityanandapur Primary School in English Bazaar block, agitating villagers confined four teachers, including the headmaster of the school, for over five hours inside the school today. The English Bazaar block development officer, Mr Ananda Sarkar, was also heckled in presence of police personnel. It was learnt that the mid-day meal project was suspended due to administrative failure following an altercation between two self-help groups assigned to cook the meal in the school. The agitators agreed to release the teachers after 4 p.m after the police and block development officials ensured them revival of the project after resolving the problem that led to its suspension. The headmaster of the school, Mr Hari Pada Mondal, admitted that the attendance of the students has dropped by half from what it used to be when the meal project was on. It was learnt that the Congress-run Kazigram gram panchayat pradhan Mr Goutam Choudhury, as chairman of the village education committee, had appointed a local women’s self-help group for cooking mid-day meal in the school a year ago. Trouble broke out when the acting gram panchayat pradhan backed by the CPI-M, appointed another self-help group in the school for the same job. The Congress-backed pradhan, Mr Choudhury, recently recaptured his chair in the Kazigram panchayat and took initiative to re-introduce the mid-day meal project by way of the agitation staged today, political sources said.

Erosion cloud over Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 22: Engineers of the Malda irrigation and waterways department today declared an eight-kilometre stretch from Domhaat to Gopalpur in Manikchak block as vulnerable to erosion. “The meandering Ganga has already created a curvature on its left bank in Manikchak block where erosion continues unabated,” the FBP engineers, said. “Erosion would continued till September,” said Mr S Misra, the executive engineer of Malda irrigation department. The engineers, however, said that another eight-kilometre stretch from Khaskol in English Bazaar block to Panchanandapur in Kaliachak II block is comparatively safe and there is no chance of erosion there. “The water flow pattern and trend of the Ganges are similar to the morphology reading recorded in 1997,” Mr Misra, said. It may be recalled that the Farakka Barrage Project authorities have already prepared a scheme for “permanent” anti-erosion work, identifying a 2.5-km stretch at Domhat as most vulnerable to erosion. The irrigation officials today told the district administration that there was no flood threat this year. They made the statement after reading water levels in the upstream of the Ganges. Though the water level of the Ganges was recorded at 25.06 metres at Manikchak Ghaat today (yesterday, it was 25.01 metres), the irrigation officials said the water level would recede soon.

Cong recaptures Kazigram GP

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 22: The Congress has recaptured the Kazigram gram panchayat in English Bazaar. The block development officer yesterday declared the results of the vote of confidence held in the last week of June, following the order of the Calcutta High Court. It may be recalled that the court had ordered the election but forbidden publication of results until further orders. The Congress pradhan, Mr Goutam Choudhury, was removed by the CPI-M members with the help of BJP and Trinamul members in February 2006. Mr Choudhury, the Congress member, had formed the board following a theory of “grand alliance” with the help of six members from Congress, four from BJP members and three from Trinamul. Together, they were a group of 14. There were also six members from the CPI-M, one from CPI and one independent. With the help of two BJP and two Trinamul members, the CPI-M had declared a no confidence motion against the pradhan and twice issued notices in December 2005 and January 2006.Finally Mr Choudhury had managed 11 votes against his opponent candidate Mr Bijoy Rajak out of 20 members who cast their votes.The Congress has thus recaptured the gram panchayat.

Eight students injured in school building collapse

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 21: At least eight students were injured when the portion of a newly constructed school building collapsed at Jalalpur in Malda’s Kaliachak police station area today. Five of the victims were admitted to Malda district hospital with serious head and leg injuries. The rest were discharged after first aid. An angry mob including some students staged a protest after the incident. The agitators ransacked the classrooms and damaged school property. The locals alleged that the construction quality of the affected building that had been constructed with MPLAD funds, was poor. Police had to be summoned to bring the situation under control and the school authorities were forced to shutdown immediately to avoid further unrest. The incident occurred around 11 a.m. when some students were climbing the stairs to the first floor when the staircase collapsed bringing down the students along with it. The guardians of the students have decided to lodge a complaint against the school authorities with the district inspector of schools and the district magistrate. The principal of the school, Mr Harul Sheikh, however, defended the construction work and said: “There was no defect with the construction work of the building. The landing could not bear the load of the naughty students who were jumping on it.” According to the I-C, Kaliachak police station, Mr Sagar Saha, the locals’ allegation about the poor quality of construction was “genuine.”

Flood situation grim in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 21: The Malda irrigation department today hoisted red signal in the unprotected left bank of the Ganges at Manikchak Ghaat in Malda district. The water level in the Ganges was recorded at 25 metres at Manikchak today. The executive engineer of Malda irrigation division, Mr Soumen Misra, said water level in the Ganga would continue to rise in the next few days following heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas, such as Hatida and Kahelgaon, where the river is in spate. “If rains stop in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Nepal, the water level in the Ganges would automatically fall in Malda,” Mr Misra, said. He added that currently the seventh and eighth retired embankments and a newly constructed dwarf embankment from Manikchak to Kaliachak II blocks plus a circuit embankment at Bhutni Diara, an island, in Manikchak block are preventing flood waters of the Ganges from entering the villages. Yesterday, more than five villages in Manikchak block were inundated and over 5,000 people affected. The incident occurred after a few miscreants cut off a part of the dwarf embankment at Gopalpur at midnight. The block officials of Manikchak and Kalichak II have alerted the people who live in many islands, such as Gadai, Duani and others. The people of these islands find it difficult to feed their cattle if the Ganga waters inundates the islands. The irrigation officials are keeping close eyes on the vulnerable spots in Kaliachak II areas where they fear that a newly constructed dwarf embankment may be breached. The Farakka Barrage Project officials are keeping a close watch on the nature of the Ganges and its water flow.

Five villages flooded in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 20: Floodwaters from the Ganga inundated more than five villages affecting over 5,000 people in Manikchak block after a group of people flattened a dwarf embankment at Gopalpur late last night. Two schools including a madrassa were closed down after floodwater entered the villages today. According to the Manikchak block development officer, Mr S Nag, miscreants cut off the embankment around 1 am. “I do not know their interest. The police have been informed about the incident,” the BDO, said. According to the BDO, block officials are engaged in estimating the extent of the damage. Local sources said that a group of people committed the crime hoping to get the repairing job and government relief. Villages like Gopalpur, north and south Hukumattola, Ishwaritola and Balutola have been marooned. The district administration has shifted residents of the low lying areas to higher grounds along with their cattle. The Malda district magistrate, Mr CR Das, and sabhadhipati of Malda Zilla Parishad Mr Goutam Chakraborty, however, claimed that the situation was under control. When contacted, the executive engineer, Malda irrigation division, Mr S Misra, said: “We would not repair the unauthorised embankment. Either the panchayat or some local body had built the dwarf embankment to save a pocket of unprotected areas.” “The old seventh retired embankment, as the second line of defence, is preventing floodwaters from entering other villages in English Bazaar and Manikchak blocks,” the official, added. According to Mr Misra, his department is apprehensive that another newly constructed dwarf embankment at Sakurullahapur or Panchanandapur in the downstream under the Kaliachak II block is also vulnerable. Today, the department recorded the water level in the Ganga at 24.96 metres, just 35 cm below the extreme danger level at Manikchak Ghaat. The yellow signal for the protected areas is on. It is feared that the water level would continue to rise in the next few days because floodwaters from Bihar is flowing downstream.

Insurence hope for exporters

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 20: Apart from big cities like Kolkata and Mumbai, the Export Guarantee Corporation of India Ltd, a government of India enterprise, has planned to set up its branches in small towns, such as Malda, Siliguri, Ranchi and Jamshedpur in eastern India, assistant general manager of ECGC, Kolkata, Mr JK Mahapatra, said. Addressing a seminar on ECGC schemes here yesterday, Mr Mahapatra said that the ECGC would introduce its branch in Malda soon and offer insurance coverage to exporters on gross investment of their business with other countries. “The ECGC would cover risk of losses in case of any discrepancies in transaction between exporters and importers through banks,” Mr Mahapatra, added. Mr PS Murali, assistant general manager, ECGC (bank business), Kolkata, said: “We are consulting with banks for export credit insurance as well. The scheme was meant for only Kolkata exporters in West Bengal. However, after the setting up of the ECGC branch here, insurance facilities would also be offered to the Malda exporters.” Mr Murali added that the objective of the ECGC behind launching its branches in small towns is to develop economy through exporters’ development so that they could focus on export only.“We would cover the risk of any business losses if they failed to realise money from foreign importers,” Mr Muruli, added. The ECGC officials interacted with the exporters here and sought their suggestions to make new insurance policy besides ECGC’s existing 14 policies for exporters’ insurance coverage. The Central Bank of India officials were also present at the seminar. Mr Ujjal Saha, an exporter, pointed out that the Malda exporters failed to collect a sum of Rs 200 crore from the Bangladeshi importers through Bangladeshi banks. “The Federation of Indian Exporters’ Organisation has taken up the matter seriously,” Mr Saha, said. Mr Mahapatra has sought a written statement from the Malda exporters about the problem of realisation of money from the importers in Bangladesh so that they could bring the matter to the notice of senior authorities.

Malda rivers in spate

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 19: Erosion continues unabated in Malda district with almost all rivers eating into their banks. At a time when the border security forces are worried about loss of Indian land owing to erosion of the Mahananda and the Punarbhaba rivers, hundreds of villagers are shifting to safer places from the banks of the Ganges and the Kosi on the western and northern sides of the district. In northern part of Malda, hundreds of people were affected yesterday after more than 30 acres of cropland were eroded away at Ratanpur, Maharajpur and Janjalitola in Ratua block. The Ganges has gobbled up at least 30 houses at Bechutola near Domhat in Manikchak block since Friday afternoon. According to villagers, a large number of cattle have died owing to the fury of the Ganges.Panic has gripped the residents of the area following a rise in the water level of the Ganges.Some cattle and goats were swept away when the Ganges gobbled up a few houses at Bechutola, Manikchak MLA Ms Asima Chowdhuri, said. She added that the authorities concerned have been briefed about the deteriorating erosion situation in the district.“The villagers did not get sufficient time to release cattle from cowshed when erosion started,” she said. Villagers from six vulnerable spots, including Jotpatta, Bechutola and Domhat are looking for safer areas for makeshift arrangement. A total of 30 families, who have been rendered homeless by erosion, have already shifted to the nearby areas temporarily. They are waiting for government relief. The state government has sanctioned Rs 5,000 for each erosion-hit family in Malda. Meanwhile, apart from erosion, the district authorities fear floods here if the Ganges breaks its banks. The flood threat looms here following heavy rainfall in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh over the past few days, officials said. The Malda irrigation division recorded water level in the Ganges at 24.94 metres this after noon, just 35 cm below the extreme danger level.The authorities concerned have already flashed yellow signal on the protected areas. The district flood control cell has predicted that water level in the Ganges would continue to rise in the next two days following floods in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Though water level in the Fulohar is receding, the Mahananda is still flowing close to the danger level.#

Bid to supply fresh drinking water

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 17: The Malda public health engineering arsenic division has planned to set up 27 new small water treatment plants for distribution of arsenic-free drinking water in villages. The superintending engineer of Malda PHE, Mr S Hoque, said the department is planning to set up small arsenic removal units for distribution of drinking water in those areas where the underground water is highly contaminated. The engineers have identified 27 spots in Manikchak, English Bazaar, Ratua I and Ratua II blocks where the department could not supply arsenic free water from the existing arsenic free water treatment projects. The new units would be set up based on ground level water and would cover at least two to three villages, Mr Hoque, said. The engineers have submitted the list of the left out areas with soil test reports to the government for final approval. The Centre and the state government would jointly bear the expenses for the new project, officials, said. On the other hand, supply of arsenic free water through street taps in both urban and rural areas in English Bazaar has been suspended owing to a “technical problem.” The executive engineer of Malda PHE department, Mr AK Das, said the supply of water was suspended following “electrical fault” at the pump house. “Normal distribution of arsenic free water would begin soon,” he added. Thousands of people depend on this drinking water service at English Bazaar. The suspension of the service has forced them to drink contaminated ground level water. The PHE arsenic division has also planned to provide house-to-house connection in the rural belt to earn revenue and run the existing projects at Kaliachak and Manikchak. On 1 August, the Malda district magistrate had convened a meeting with the officials concerned, including the block development officers on this issue and it was decided that they would launch a special drive to convince the people for household connection.

Ganga fury in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 17: The Ganga gobbled up 15 huts at Domhat village in Manikchak block today. The fuming river has also eroded about a kilometre length of cropland on the left bank. Irrigation department officials said that the Ganga has experienced an abrupt rise in the water level since yesterday, which has washed away large tracts of land. Following the erosion, villagers living close to the bank line have started to move off to safer places. Receiving information about fresh erosion, Farakka Barrage Project officials visited the area to inspect the extent of the damage and had to face public wrath. Earlier, villagers of Jotpatta near Domhat had prevented the FBP from taking up palliative measure to stem erosion in that area demanding permanent anti- erosion work instead. There is a possibility that the flood situation could worsen.The irrigation and waterways department has hoisted the yellow signal in the protected area of the Ganga and red signal in the unprotected areas of the Fulohar river following the rise in the water level of the two rivers.The two rivers are in spate and floodwater from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh is gushing in continuously. The flood control cell today recorded 24.78 metres water level in the Ganga at Manikchak Ghaat at 12 noon.It was 24.64 metres yesterday suggesting that the water level is rising steadily. Similarly, the water level of the Fulohar was recorded 28.01 metres at Teljana point in the northern part of the district. The executive engineer of the Malda irrigation division, Mr S Misra, said that the water level would continue to rise in the next 24 hours. Officials said precautionary measures have been taken to avoid human casualty.“Villagers have been asked not to go for fishing,” they added.

Malda faces flood threat

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 16: The Malda district administration fears fresh floods here following heavy rainfall in Bihar over the past three days. The water level in the Ganges is rising steadily from yesterday. The Malda irrigation officials recorded the water level in the Ganges at 24.62 metres at Manikchak Ghaat this afternoon.The water level was constant at 24.52 metres at the same point in Malda during the last two days, officials, said. Earlier, the water level in the Ganges went up to 24.94 metres in Malda when floods struck Bihar in the first week of this month. The executive engineer of Malda irrigation department, Mr Soumen Misra, said the water level in the Ganges would continue to rise in the next five days and might cross 25 metres here, just below the extreme danger level. Based on the records of the Central Water Commission, Mr Misra said that the upper catchment areas received excessive rainfall on an average 100 mm each day in the last three days. “The rain still continues in these areas,” he said. According to Mr Misra, Bihar’s Munger district received 240 mm rainfall on Tuesday and 245 mm on Wednesday. Apart from Munger, all stations in the upper catchments received heavy rains in Bihar. The water level in the Ganges has risen by at least two feet at all points in Bihar, posing flood threat to Malda. Meanwhile, owing to fluctuation in Ganges’ water level, erosion continues on the bank of the river at Domhat in Manikchak block. The erosion has affected cropland in the area.The Farakka Barrage officials, however, said it is not the right time to take up anti-erosion work at Domhat. “Domhat is a vulnerable site and since it is the flood time, we have decided to postpone anti-erosion work there. If we start the project now, it would mean nothing but wastage of money,” FBP general manager Mr Naresh Kumar, said. The FBP, it may be recalled, has taken up permanent anti erosion project at an estimated expenditure of Rs 20 crore to protect the 2.5-km long bank line at Domhat.

Theft at BSF camp in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 16: Forty rounds of cartridge and official documents went missing from a Border Security Force outpost at Kumarpur under the English Bazaar police station on 14 August night. The missing articles were recovered from a mango orchard on 15 August but not before the BSF had raided several villages and forced a cleric to use a public address system to appeal for the return of the stolen articles. BSF officials are tightlipped on the matter. The Malda superintendent of police, Mr DK Mondal, said that he had not received any complaint either from the BSF or the public about the incident. The SP, however, visited the spot after receiving information from several quarters. The BSF crackdown in search of the missing articles came on the dawn of Independence Day. BSF jawans raided the Kumarpur, Gobindopur and Moslempur villages under the English Bazaar police station and picked up at least 20 villagers for questioning.The detained were, however, released following the recovery of the stolen articles. Residents of the three villages alleged that aggressive BSF jawans entered the houses breaking down doors and windows in search of the missing bullets and documents assaulting men ad women alike.“Many male members of several families had to flee their houses during the raid,” they alleged. The villagers have criticised the BSF “highhandedness” and urged the authorities concerned to look into the matter.According to a panchayat member Mr Jabbar Sheikh, the situation cooled down after the BSF officials forced the cleric of a local mosque to make an announcement over the public address system for the return of the stolen articles following which, the stolen articles were found in a mango orchard.“The incident has been reported to the local MLA and Congress leader Mr Krishnendu Choudhury,” he added. The police have not been able to take any steps in the matter for want of a complaint from either side. “Neither the villagers nor the BSF have lodged any complaint,” said the Malda SP, Mr DK Mondal.

Scholarship eludes hearing impaired

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 16: Two young boys ~ Sanatan Mondal and Palash Mondal ~ who suffer from hearing ailment had performed spectacularly well at a sports meet in Kolkata in 2005. They, however, have not yet received their promised scholarship. The duo, students of Class IV and VII respectively, took part in a state level meet at Salt Lake organised by an NGO in 2005 and secured good records. They were informed of their achievement at the meet where it was also announced that they would be awarded a scholarship of Rs 10,000 each. This announcement, for the boys, was a dream come true. Both Sanatan and Palash had always wanted to be good athletes as well pursue further studies if they received financial help. But now it all seems like a distant dream. “We had sent a prescribed format after filling all requirements through proper channel according to the direction of the organiser but the scholarship is yet to reach the boys”, said principal of Sahela Memorial School, Mr Rajendranath Das. The boys are students at his school. The Sahela Memorial School, aided by the Centre, was set up in 1992 and it was named after mother of former Malda MP and union and state minister A B A Ghani Khan Choudhury. At present there are 370 students including 155 girls in this school. There are 74 girls who are suffering from hearing impairment and 71 girls are mentally challenged. The school is waiting for state government sponsorship. Most of the disabled students are from Sujapur and Kaliachak villages. The school provides them travelling cost from the central government’s funds. “Recently the Centre reduced its funds and salary for the trained teachers of this school. We have been instructed to pay salary to 25 teaching and 12 non-teaching staff, out of sanctioned central assistance,” Mr Das, added. “Owing to inadequate space in our school the state government officials are not interested to sponsor us. But the school needs the state government’s sponsorship to meet the funds crunch,” he said.

Terror alert in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 14: Security has been beefed up at the Malda Town Station and its surrounding areas following Intelligence reports that the Ulfa and KLO could carry out attacks on the station or its adjacent areas. The Malda SP, Mr Dilip Mondal inspected the sites personally today and checked the security arrangements first hand. According to Intelligence inputs, the KLO in particular could train its gun on Malda as its hardliner leader Malkhan Singh is lodged in Malda jail. That Maoist activist Mr Animesh Chakraborty is also in Malda jail is an additional headache for the Malda police. The police are leaving nothing to chance under the circumstances. The Malda SP himself came down to personally frisk the luggage of 25 passengers of the down Kanchenjangha Express at Malda Town Station and interrogated some people sleeping on the platform, today. The police are going through the compartments of every train passing the route. The English Bazaar police station and Malda GRP have jointly taken charge of security arrangements at Malda Town Station. An eight-member team of rapid action force has been posted at Malda station. “The additional force would continue duty till mid night tomorrow,” the SP informed. The SP today approached the assistant security commissioner of Malda RPF for security arrangements on railway tracks and car sheds of the Malda Town Station. Besides vital installations, police pickets have been set up at Modipukur hospital, where Maoists circulated propaganda material recently, in Bamongola police station area.

Fresh erosion in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 14: Fresh erosion has gobbled up large tracts of crop land between Manikchak Ghat and Domhat areas in Manikchak block. The erosion started yesterday and continues unabated on the left bank of the Ganga due to the receding trend in the water level, Malda irrigation officials said today. Authorities fear more erosion on the left bank of the Ganges due to fluctuation of its water level in the next few days.“Though the water level is receding and it has recorded 24.52 metres at 6 am today the water level would continue to rise from Thursday following heavy rain in the upper catchments,” Malda irrigation engineer Mr Sourmen Misra said. “More than six stations in Bihar in the upper catchments of the Ganga have received more than 100 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours,” he added. According to him, the water level of the Ganga is either constant or rising in almost all stations in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Fearing flood and erosion, the Malda district administration is coordinating with the Farakka Barrage Project and State Irrigation and Waterways officials.The FBP can check erosion by controlling the water flow through the lock gates. Malda irrigation officials are worried about the vulnerable point at Sakurullahapur, between the existing bed bars no. 24 and 25 owing to heavy whirling of waters.The two bed bars are crucial for the security of the newly constructed dwarf embankment at Sakurullahapur Shib Mandir point.

Intuc roadblock hits traffic in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 13: The Intuc activists of Malda blocked Station Road and national highway-34 for more than three hours at Rathbari in English Bazaar town today demanding administrative action against the owners of the unauthorised motorised vans. Traffic movement was paralysed on the highway following the agitation. Vehicles remained stranded between Mahananda bridge ando Sustani More in the town. The roadblock was finally withdrawn after Malda superintendent of police Mr DK Mondal held discussions with senior Congress leaders of the district, including Mr Narendranath Tiwari, chairman of the English Bazaar Municipality.Trouble broke out after the motorised van owners allegedly roughed up an auto rickshaw driver who is an Intuc member after a brief altercation. The police later arrested a few accused motorised van owners.The auto rickshaw drivers, however, prevented the motorised van owners from meeting the Malda SP to submit a memorandum demanding release of some of their members who were arrested by the police. “We have not yet received any specific order to seize the motorised vans. However, we are looking into the matter following requests by members of the Commericial vehicles’ Forum,” the SP, Mr Mondal, said.

Civic services go for a toss in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 12: The recent phase wise retrenchment of 158 casual workers of the English Bazaar Municipality has affected civic services in the town, much to the chagrin of the civic officials and the locals. The Congress, Trinamul Congress and the BJP-led civic board fears that the situation may worsen if more casual workers are retrenched. It may be recalled that acting on a complaint lodged by the local CPI-M councillor and the CPI-M-backed union members of the municipality, the directorate of local bodies had recently instructed the EBM chairman to disengage 450 casual workers. The civic body, though unwillingly, has started retrenching the casual workers phase wise. Although a section of Congress leaders, including the Malda district secretary of the party, Ms Rubi Noor and her brother, Malda MP Mr AH Khan Choudhury had tried hard to avoid retrenchment of the casual workers, the civic body had no other option but to follow the government’s instruction. “It is unfortunate that I was forced to carry out the retrenchment order,” the EBM chairman, Mr Narendranath Tiwari, said. Mr Dulal Sarkar, one of the members of chairman-in-council, EBM, said: “The situation is such that there is no casual worker to drive ambulances and vans. Maintenance of street lights and supply of drinking have also been affected owing to the retrenchment of the casual workers.” In 1991, the state government had sanctioned 527 posts for the EBM. However, the present worker strength of the municipality is just 464. This despite the fact that eight more wards have been added to the municipality to take the number from 17 wards in 1991 to 25 wards now, the EBM sources, said. The non-Left councillors of the EBM are now planning to meet the state municipal affairs and urban development minister Mr Asok Bhattacharya and urge him to reconsider the government’s retrenchment order.

Malda security reviewed

Statesman News Service

MALDA Aug 10: To check possible subversive activities during the 60th Independence Day, the Malda SP, Mr DK Mondal today held a meeting with senior police officials regarding deployment of forces for better security in the district. The Malda police would approach the RPF for vigilance on railway tracks including vital bridges, due to shortage of GRP men. The GRP would be responsible for keeping watch on the railway stations and vital installations in the adjoining areas of the different stations. The special arrangement would be in place from tomorrow following the threat letters from the KLO, Ulfa and Maoists. “We have received many threat letters in the last few weeks regarding Malda Town Station. There is nothing to be worried about but the police are leaving nothing to chance,” the SP, said. Stating that he was 25 policemen short, the SP said that the matter has been communicated to the top and 25 well-trained personnel have been sought for better security arrangement in the district. “The BSF would be monitoring the Bangladesh border and its adjoining villages and we are coordinating with them,” he added.

Train robbery

The Malda SP, Mr DK Mondal today said that the government railway police at Kishanganj would probe the last night’s dacoity in the running Darjeeling Mail train. “The crime was committed after the train left Kishanganj railway station about 9.30 p.m,” Mr Mondal, said. It may be recalled that armed robbers looted the general compartment of the Sealdah-bound Darjeeling Mail between Kishanganj and Dalkhola last night. The angry victims took out their frustration on the guard and a constable after the criminals got down from the train pulling the chain.

Govt land chosen for silk park in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 9: Having failed to acquire land required for the setting up of the proposed silk park here, the Malda district administration has finally decided to utilise 14 acres of the government land at Madhughat in Kaliachak I block. With this, the land hurdle for the proposed silk park seems to be over.The decision was taken at a meeting held recently as a follow up to the proposal adopted on 9 April by minister Mr Manab Mukherjee. The sericulture department at Madhughat has been unable to revive the silk yarn producing unit ever since it was closed down in 1995-96 owing to labour disputes and financial losses. The unit was set up in the sixties under the auspices of the then chief minister, Bidhan Chandra Roy. At the meeting, it was decided that the park would initially be set up on 14 acres of land and additional land, if required, would be acquired subject to availability. The fact that there are huge mango orchards, near the state filature, on the bank of the Bhagirati river has been noted in this regard. The district officials expect departmental officials to come up with ways to implement the project at a deputy directors’ level meeting in Kolkata to be held on 23 and 24 August. Officials of a consultancy firm recently met the Malda district magistrate, Mr CR Das and sabhadhipati of the Malda Zilla Parishad, Mr Goutam Chakraborty, seeking help to conduct a survey in the district to judge the prospects and the potential of a silk park. The district officials reportedly heard the consultancy officials seriously and sought suggestions from them for the setting up of the much-talked-about silk park here.

Ganges near extreme level

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 9: The Malda irrigation officials today said that the Ganges was flowing just below the extreme danger level, 24.94 metres, at Manikchak Ghaat here.The water level in the river has remained constant since yesterday, said Mr Soumen Misra, executive engineer of the Malda irrigation and waterways department. According to Mr Misra, the present trend of the Ganges is “peculiar”.“It could lead to floods in the district,” he said. Mr Misra added that the river does not have the capacity to receive more waters in case of fresh floods in the upper catchment areas.“If the floods continue in the upper catchment areas, the water level in the Ganges cross the extreme danger level here break its banks, inundating several parts of the district, the irrigation officials, said.They added that precautionary measures have been taken to avoid floods

Militants target Malda

Statesman News Serice

MALDA, Aug 9: After receiving a threat letter from lower Assam, the Malda district administration has beefed up security in and around the Malda railway station. According to the Intelligence reports, militants have targeted to blow up the Malda town railway station.The Malda Railway Protection Force, it may be recalled, received two similar threat letters recently. Since Independence Day is round the corner, the district administration is leaving no stone unturned to ensure security at the Malda station. The Malda superintendent of police, Mr DK Mondal, said he came to know about the threat letter from the Malda railway divisional security commissioner on Tuesday.“In the fresh threat letter, it has been written that the KLO and the Ulfa militants planning to carry out subversive activities in the region on the I-Day,” the SP, said. He added that the matter has been brought to the notice of the district Intelligence officials. According to the Intelligence officials, the KLO and Ulfa militants held a secret meeting in lower Assam recently and planned to disturb I-Day celebrations in north Bengal.

Cong calls review meeting in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 8: To mend the fissures that have appeared among the party rank and file over the controversial issue of retrenchment of casual workers at the English Bazaar Municipality, the Malda district Congress president, Ms Rubi Noor has convened an emergency meeting on Sunday. The district leaders including the chief of Malda Zilla Parishad, chief of English Bazaar Municipality, all congress MLAs and block level leaders have been summoned in the meeting. It is learnt that the district president Ms Noor and the Malda MP Mr AH Khan Choudhury would seek explanation from the warring factions their action on the EBM retrenchment issue. Though Ms Rubi Noor today blamed the CPI-M for the current situation, a section of the Congress leadership complained her that the English Bazaar Congress MLA, Mr Krishnendu Choudhury, was the real conspirator. It was learnt that the date and time of the proposed meeting has been rescheduled so that Mr Krishnendu Choudhury cannot avoid the meeting citing his preoccupation as an MLA. The EBM chairman, Mr Narendranath Tiwari and the vice-chairman, Mr Biswanath Guho, complained to Ms Noor that the English Bazaar MLA is being guided by CPI-M leader and minister for environment and state parliamentary affairs minister Mr Sailen Sarkar. The chairman of the EBM has reportedly collected information about a discussion that was held between Mr Choudhury and minister Mr Sarkar aboard the Gour Express a few days ago. “Our MLA saheb was the chief conspirator behind the retrenchment issue but I do not know about the minister,” Mr Biswanath Guho, vice chairman of the EBM, said. Rejecting the insinuation, the English Bazaar MLA, Mr Krishnendu Choudhury, said over telephone: “A chairman of a civic body cannot ignore or violate a government order. Holding some one responsible for it is unwise.” It may be recalled that a group of councillors belonging to the Left and the CPI-M backed EBM Employees’ Union had lodged a complaint with the directorate of local bodies regarding the casual workers, which triggered the retrenchment order.

Twin strikes cripple Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 6: While two separate strikes called by two different organisations crippled life in Malda today, chaos ruled after Intuc supporters ransacked the office of an Allahabad Bank branch and the Malda zilla parishad office, forcing the employees to participate in the strike called by the organisation. The 72-hour transport strike from today called by the Malda Commercial Vehicles’ Forum subjected the daily commuters to severe inconvenience across the district as all passenger carriers were off the roads. A 12-hour strike convened by the Malda Intuc in protest against the government decision to sack 450 casual workers from the English Bazaar Municipality, kept the shutters down in most business establishments today. The transporters called the strike in protest against apparent inaction of the administration in banning thousands of motorised three wheelers that ply across the district without certification from the authorities and registration from the regional transport department. The police have arrested two Intuc supporters on charges of ransacking government offices and other establishments. “We are in search of five more Intuc supporters in connection with the offense. They had fled before police reached the spot,” said the inspector in-charge of English Bazaar police station. The police are planning night raids in search of the culprits. The Congress here is divided on the Intuc action. It may be noted that the vice chairman of the English Bazaar Municipality Mr Biswanath Guho, who is also the district president of the Intuc Malda unit, had convened the strike, which was opposed by the non Left councillors belonging to the camp of Mr Krishnendu Narayan Choudhury, Congress MLA from English Bazaar. The EBM chief, Mr Narendranath Tiwari today sacked 58 casual workers engaged in his tenure in keeping with a government order on the subject and also to ensure continued aid to the civic board. Mr Tiwari said he would disengage all causal workers phase wise.It is learnt that another 172 casual workers would be retrenched tomorrow.

Officials spar, people suffer

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 6: The Malda irrigation division has objected against an “interference” by the Farakka Barrage Project, a Central unit, in flood control management on the bank of the Ganga. The executive engineer Mr S Misra today wrote a letter to his superior (superintending engineer) stating a particular incident and sought clarification if the government, through any order empowered the FBP to moderate the dwarf embankment constructed by the state irrigation division on the left bank of the Ganga. The copy of the letter was sent to the Malda district magistrate Mr CR Das and sabhadhipati of Malda zilla parishad Mr Goutam Chakraborty. Yesterday, the executive engineer Mr Misra had pointed out the problem to the sabhadhipati during his visit to Panchanandapur in Kaliachak II where some contractors were working on the embankment under the supervision of a group of FBP officials. “The FBP officials left the spot when our vessel arrived at Panchanandapur. The work at the site was going on without permission from our department,” Mr Misra said. “It is our job to maintain the embankment following the flood situation of the Ganga,” he added. The water level of the Ganga, meanwhile continues to rise. Today the flood control cell recorded the water level at 24.94 metres, just below the ‘extreme danger level’ at Manikchak ghaat. Floodwater from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh is flowing down the Ganga here and the FBP officials are discharging excess water to Bangladesh through the lock gates so that the water level does not cross the EDL.

Vehicles to stay off Malda roads

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 5: Protesting against the apparent inaction of the Malda district administration in banning motorised three-wheeler vans, the Malda Commercial Vehicles’ Forum has called for a 72-hour transport strike in the district from tomorrow. The strike is feared to cripple transport services in the district. All buses and other commercial vehicles would stay off the roads. It may be recalled that leaders of all vehicle associations in the district had recently submitted a memorandum to the sub-divisional officer of Malda, requesting him to put a ban on motorised vans. But, no step was allegedly taken to discourage the use of such vans. “This prompted us to call for a 72-hour transport strike in the district,” said Mr Kajal Roy, a senior member of the forum. Hundreds of people earn their livelihood by carrying passengers on motorised vans manufactured locally. The number of motorised vans has increased in the district over the past three years. Apart from the passengers, the motorised vans also carry goods. The first complaint against the use of motorised vans was lodged by members of the Bus and Mini Bus Owners’ Association way back in 2003. The district administration, however, is yet to take any action in this regard. Since motorised vans are picking passengers, owners of contract carriers are facing problems. The Malda district administration had recently launched a drive against the use of motorised vans. They, however, backtracked following alleged pressure from political parties, especially the CPI-M. The motorised van owners have formed unions in the district and they are supported by various political parties, including the CPI-M. They recently organised an agitation here to protest against the district administration’s move to ban the motorised vans.

Priya Ranjan against retrenchment

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 5: The Union I&B and parliamentary affairs minister, Mr Priya Ranjan Das Munshi today criticised the state government’s decision of retrenching casual workers of the English Bazaar Municipality. The Congress-affiliated Intuc, meanwhile, has called a 12-hour Malda town bandh over the issue tomorrow. Though a few district Congress leaders are against the bandh, Mr Biswanath Guho, vice chairman of the EBM and a senior Congress leader has supported it. Mr Das Munshi said here today that he would would look into the matter on priority basis. “I will meet the EBM chairman Mr Narendranath Tiwari to discuss the issue,” Mr Das Munshi, said. Justifying the movement launched by the non-Left employees’ unions of the EBM, including the Intuc, Mr Das Munshi, said: “If necessary, the union leaders should legally challenge the state government’s move,” Mr Das Munshi, added. It may be recalled that the directorate of local bodies had recently instructed the the EBM chief to disengage a total of 450 casual workers from 6 August. State urban development minister Mr Asok Bhattacharya has reportedly told the Malda Congress leaders that the order would not be executed “with immediate effect.” A Congress delegation, including Malda MP Mr AH Khan Choudhury, district Congress president Ms Rubi Noor and EBM chairman Mr Narendranath Tiwari recently met Mr Bhattacharya in Kolkata, requesting him to issue a stay order on the government’s ruling. Despite the request, the civic body received the third retrenchment letter on 3 August. “If we retrench all casual workers from tomorrow, municipal services would collapse here. We are in a dilemma as we can either retrench all casual workers nor ignore the government order,” the EBM chief, Mr Tiwari, said. Official sources said that the DLB would appoint an administrator to oversee the utilisation of government funds by the EBM.The EBM authorities, it may recalled, were accused of diverting government funds meant for development projects to pay the casual workers. The Congress, Trinamul Congress and the BJP-led board had allegedly adopted a resolution to pay the casual workers from the funds allotted by the state government for execution of solid waste management and other schemes.The Malda Congress leaders, however, are divided on the retrenchment issue. While the EBM chief Mr Narendranath Tiwari is moving from pillar to post in support of the casual workers, former civic body chief and English Bazaar MLA Mr Krishnendu Narayan Choudhury sees no problem in executing the government’s retrenchment order.

Priya Ranjan against retrenchement

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 5: The Union I&B and parliamentary affairs minister, Mr Priya Ranjan Das Munshi today criticised the state government’s decision of retrenching casual workers of the English Bazaar Municipality. The Congress-affiliated Intuc, meanwhile, has called a 12-hour Malda town bandh over the issue tomorrow. Though a few district Congress leaders are against the bandh, Mr Biswanath Guho, vice chairman of the EBM and a senior Congress leader has supported it. Mr Das Munshi said here today that he would would look into the matter on priority basis. “I will meet the EBM chairman Mr Narendranath Tiwari to discuss the issue,” Mr Das Munshi, said. Justifying the movement launched by the non-Left employees’ unions of the EBM, including the Intuc, Mr Das Munshi, said: “If necessary, the union leaders should legally challenge the state government’s move,” Mr Das Munshi, added. It may be recalled that the directorate of local bodies had recently instructed the the EBM chief to disengage a total of 450 casual workers from 6 August. State urban development minister Mr Asok Bhattacharya has reportedly told the Malda Congress leaders that the order would not be executed “with immediate effect.” A Congress delegation, including Malda MP Mr AH Khan Choudhury, district Congress president Ms Rubi Noor and EBM chairman Mr Narendranath Tiwari recently met Mr Bhattacharya in Kolkata, requesting him to issue a stay order on the government’s ruling. Despite the request, the civic body received the third retrenchment letter on 3 August. “If we retrench all casual workers from tomorrow, municipal services would collapse here. We are in a dilemma as we can either retrench all casual workers nor ignore the government order,” the EBM chief, Mr Tiwari, said. Official sources said that the DLB would appoint an administrator to oversee the utilisation of government funds by the EBM.The EBM authorities, it may recalled, were accused of diverting government funds meant for development projects to pay the casual workers. The Congress, Trinamul Congress and the BJP-led board had allegedly adopted a resolution to pay the casual workers from the funds allotted by the state government for execution of solid waste management and other schemes.The Malda Congress leaders, however, are divided on the retrenchment issue. While the EBM chief Mr Narendranath Tiwari is moving from pillar to post in support of the casual workers, former civic body chief and English Bazaar MLA Mr Krishnendu Narayan Choudhury sees no problem in executing the government’s retrenchment order.

No respite from erosion

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 3: Erosion continues unabated along the banks of the Ganga at Sultantola and Laskoritola villages. Over 10 hectares of cropland was washed away in Kaliachak II block today. According to Mr D Roy, block development officer of Kaliachak II, erosion continues at Sultantola areas and the river has entered about a 100-metres inland. Huge volume of floodwater flowing down the central channel is continuously eroding away the banks at Sultantola and Laskoritola. “If the trend continues, it may wipe out major chunks of landmass in the area,” irrigation department officials, said. Observing the rising trend of water in the Ganga, the irrigation officials today informed the district administration that flood was feared under the present circumstances.” According to them, preventing flood waters discharged by the Ganga would prove difficult if the two-km long newly constructed dwarf embankment at Kaliachak II is eroded away. “The dwarf embankment from Sakurullahapur to Balukhara in Kaliachak II is on the brink of extinction. There is no safe distance between the bank line of the Ganga and the dyke,” said an administrative officer. “The water level in the Ganga would be rising for the next five days or so following floods in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. The water level may touch the extreme danger level, 25.30 metres, at Manikchak Ghaat. “The water level of the Ganga was 24.74 metres at Manikchak ghaat around noon today,” said Mr S Misra, executive engineer, Malda irrigation division. The red signal is still on in the Fulahar river and the yellow signal is on for the protected areas on the bank of the Ganga for five blocks . Yesterday, the Jalpaiguri divisional commissioner Mr BL Meena, Malda district magistrate Mr CR Das and Malda police superintendent Mr DK Mondal held a meeting with irrigation department engineers to review flood situation in the district.

Ganga fury in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 2: About 25 acres of cropland was eroded away by the Ganga at Sultantola in Kaliachak II block today.Though the district irrigation officials and Central waterways experts officials had predicted such erosion at this spot three years ago and suggested to take up bank protection work no anti-erosion measures were taken. Observing the meandering trend of the Ganga discharging floodwater irrigation officials fear more erosion on the left bank line in Kalichak II including the bank line near Sakurulahapur where a mini dyke was constructed this year for flood protection. The Jalpaiguri divisional commissioner Mr B L Meena, the Malda district magistrate Mr C R Das and Malda irrigation executive engineer Mr S Misra inspected the entire vulnerable stretches from Manikchak Ghaat to Panchanandapur today.It may be noted that erosion started at the Domhat area in Manikchak block a few days ago and the local experts had predicted more erosion when the water level would cross 24.50 metre at Manikchak Ghaat point. The Malda irrigation officials today recorded 24.65 metres water level of the Ganga and have flashed the yellow signal on the protected banks. "The water level would remain static if not increase the next 48 hours because flood waters would be coming down through this water ways from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh," said Mr Misra. No anti-erosion work was taken up by the Farakka Barrage Project on the left bank of the Ganga this year. In 2005 and 2006 both state irrigation and FBP carried out more than 5 km long bank protection work. In 2006 FBP had repaired a half of 3 km long anti-erosion work in Kaliachak II block areas, which was eroded away in 2005. But no anti-erosion work or maintenance job was taken up this year.Following the Malda DM's request the FBP undertook palliative anti-erosion work only in two places in Manikchak out of six vulnerable spots. It is alleged that the villagers had driven out the FBP officials demanding permanent anti-erosion for the protection of crop and homestead land in Manikchak block.

Erosion worries Malda, damage Cooch Behar

Statesman News Service

COOCH BEHAR/MALDA, Aug 1: Though the flood situation has improved in Cooch Behar, there were fresh erosions today on the left bank of the Ganga at Adarshagram in Malda’s Kaliachak II block. Irrigation department officials of Malda fear the erosion problem would aggravate this week following high velocity discharge of water through the Ganga. “Though the area is under the supervision of Farakka Barrage Project, I have reported the matter to the Malda SDO, Ms Arunima De, as per the district magistrate’s instruction,” Mr S Misra, Malda irrigation division executive, said. “With 24.52-metre water level at Manikchak Ghat in Malda, the Ganga is discharging 12.50 lakh cusec water today. The most severe erosion occurs when the discharge rate is between 12.50 lakh cusec and 16 lakh cusec,” Mr Misra said. The water level in all the major rivers in Cooch Behar has receded and the people are leaving the relief camps for their homes in the improved situation, the Cooch Behar district magistrate, Mr Rajesh Kumar Sinha, said today. According to district officials, 4,947 houses were severely damaged and 8,972 houses were partially damaged by the floods in the district. The floods affected 29 gram panchayats in six blocks distressing more than one lakh people. Many roads in the rural areas have been damaged. The agriculture sector has also suffered huge loss. About 10,000 hectares under cultivation were affected and the loss is estimated at Rs 10 crore. The district has suffered a total loss of about Rs 21 crore in terms of crop and infrastructure. According to a zilla parishad report, a fund of Rs 15-crore is immediately required to keep things going. Political organisations have started fishing in muddy waters literally. According to the Cooch Behar district Trinamul Congress president, Mr Rabindra Nath Ghosh, the flood-affected people are now suffering from lack of food, drinking water and baby food. He also alleged that the river embankments were being washed away and the overflowing rivers running through villages. The flood waters have damaged a large number of houses throughout the district, rendering people helpless. “They need work and food, not speeches,” he said. Demanding arrest and punishment of contractors and officials concerned with the construction of “inferior” embankments, Mr Ghosh said his organisation would submit a memorandum to the state relief minister, Mr Murtaja Hussain, who is to visit the district on Friday.

Minister solves civic body retrenchment issue

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 1: A meeting between the state urban development minister Mr Asok Bhattacharya and the Malda Congress leadership today has given the English Bazaar Municipality breathing space on the touchy issue of retrenchment of the civic body’s casual staff. The directorate of local bodies has instructed the EBM authorities to retrench its 450 casual staff engaged by the successive boards of the civic body over the years. The issue has effected cracks in the local Congress leadership triggering a blame game between the factions. The Malda MP Mr AH Khan Choudhury, his sister Ms Rubi Noor, who is also the Malda district Congress president and Sujapur MLA, and civic body chief Mr Narendranath Tiwari met the minister in Kolkata today and urged him to formulate an alternative method to overcome the present crisis of the issue of retrenchment of casual workers. The minister reportedly ensured there was no need to execute the DLB order right away. He has instructed the delegation to furnish details about the pattern of casual workers engaged by the civic body since 1992. According to the civic body chief, Mr Tiwari, the minister said that his department is formulating a system and pattern of casual workers’ recruitment according to the requirement of job in civic body for public service. “The government would send guidelines for the recruitment of casual workers to the civic bodies and the civic bodies would have to follow the guideline for the recruitment of casual workers,” Mr Tiwari, said. According to the EBM chief, the minister told the Congress leaders that the EBM would have to disengage all casual workers and then engage them under a contractor who would deal with the matter of all casual workers in different categories. The minister told the Malda Congress leaders that the government would not spend funds for the casual workers claiming permanent job after a few years in the civic body. It may be noted that English Bazaar Congress MLA Mr Krishnendu Narayan Choudhury, who was the former EBM chief, has been stating that the civic body would have to follow the recent government order for retrenchment. His logic: “The government would stop funding the municipality if the DLB’s instruction is not complied with.”

Cattlelifter killed in BSF-BDR fire

Statesman News Service

BALURGHAT/MALDA: July 31: Tension prevails in areas close to the Goeshpur outpost on the Bangladesh border in South Dinajpur district following an exchange of fire between the Border Security Force and the Bangladesh Rifles, last night. A Bangladeshi intruder, allegedly a cattle lifter, was shot dead in the firing. According to the acting DIG Malda Sector Mr RC Gaur, the BDR reacted all on a sudden when BSF forces tried to restrict the Bangladeshi intruders and fired 20 rounds at the BSF. The BSF retaliated firing four rounds. While one of the intruders died on the spot, three of his associates managed to flee across the border. The South Dinajpur police recovered the intruder’s body this morning and sent it for autopsy to the Balurghat district hospital. According to BSF officials, BDR jawans often try to cover up for the intruders from across the border by opening fire at the defending BSF. ” It is common practice with the BDR to actually help Bangladeshi cattle lifters pinch and smuggle cows from India. Last night’s incident smacks of a similar design, but they were unsuccessful this time,” the BSF official, informed. Supporting the BSF official’s allegation, Mr Imran Wahab, ASP Balurghat said: “ At least 24 rounds were exchanged between the BSF and the BDR last night. The BDR jawans opened fire on the BSF without warning when they were chasing out the infiltrators. It looks they were covering up for the smugglers.” Admitting that the shooting incident has caused panic in the area, Mr Wahab added that the situation was under control and that the police were watchful. In the meantime, the BSF have arrested three including two Bangladeshi nationals at the Bhimpur border outpost under Hili police. The arrested were trying to sneak into Bangladesh. It was learnt that of the three arrested, Motilal Singha is a resident of Naxalbari. The BSF and police are interrogating him, checking out his bonafides since KLO and ULFA militants have used the border to cross over to Bangladesh in the past.

Spilt in Congress over retrenchment issue

Statesman News Service

MALDA, July 30: The Congress is divided on the issue of retrenchment of casual workers from English Bazaar Municipality. The retrenchment order has come from the directorate of local bodies. While Youth Congress leader and EBM chief Mr Narendranath Tiwari and his associates are fighting against the government order, the Congress MLA from English Bazaar Mr Krishnendu Narayan Choudhury is advocating the government order. It may be noted that a group of eight councillors, who are followers of Mr K N Choudhury submitted their consent in writing to the EBM chief and have informed him that they would not oppose the government order. Upset with the eight councilors, Mr Tiwari brought Mrs Rubi Noor, congress district president and Sujapur MLA and her brother Mr A H Khan Choudhury, the Malda MP to encourage the casual workers who have been agitating with support from the non-left employees’ union against the DLB order to retrench 450 casual workers engaged over the past few years. The English Bazaar MLA Mr.Krishnendu Narayan Choudhury today told mdia persons that had not pulled strings retrench casual workers of the municipality with the help of the DLB. ”Such allegation, as is being raised from certain corners, is false,” he stated. It may be noted that another Congress leader and INTUC district president Mr Biswanath Guho and vice chairman of the EBM today alleged they suspected that Mr Choudhury had played a role in having the retrenchment order issued. Rejecting the allegation Mr Choudhury said: “I am against the retrenchment of hundreds of casual workers. I have a soft corner for them because some of them were recruited during my tenure. But the civic body cannot violate a government order.” DLB officials were scheduled to visit the EBM on 30 July to enforce the order but the programme was deferred. They would now visit on the first week of August.

Severe erosion feared along the Ganges bank

Statesman News Service

MALDA, July 30: Severe erosion is feared along the left bank of the Ganga in the next few days. Irrigation department officials have deduced so after studying the current conditions. Irrigation department officials said that areas between Manikchak and Kaliachak II blocks along the Ganga might get wiped out by erosion when the discharge increases. According to the irrigation flood control, the Ganga is discharging 11 lakh cusec waters at present with a rising trend taking the water level to 24. 32 metres at Manikchak point in Malda. The left bank could be affected when the discharge reaches the 12.5 lakh cusec mark. The water level would continue to rise over the next three days.