Hoax call triggers panic in Malda

MALDA, July 8: Misled by queries from a section of the media that the recently jailed superintendent of a child welfare home in Malda had suffered a heart attack inside the jail, the Malda district administration including the newly appointed Malda zilla sabhadipati suffered some harrowing moments today.The superintendent of the Sahapur Child Welfare Home, who is in jail following the controversial death of an inmate who was electrocuted recently, was finally found in good health. The Malda SDO Mrs Arunima De stressed on the need to trace those who spread the rumours.Confusion erupted after a section of the media called the Malda SDO stating that the Sahapur Child Welfare Home superintendent had suffered a heart attack inside the Malda correctional home. Responding to the call, the administrative officials including the district magistrate Mr C R Das and ADM Mr P C Sit contacted the jail authorities seeking information about the inmate.Having heard of the news too, the newly elected sbhadhipati of Malda zilla parishad Mrs Sabina Yesmin, who was attending her first day in office also turned up at the jail. All concern proved futile as the jailed superintendent Mr Sukumar De Das was found in good health proving the information wrong. Meanwhile, the director of mass education has sought detailed report from the district mass education officer regarding the death of the inmate at the Sahapur Child Welfare Home. The DMEO Mr Sanjoy Banerjee will submit a report to the director and discuss about provisions of compensation for the victim's family. The administration paid only Rs 1300 to the victim's family member for cremation. n SNS