On Left Bank

On Left Bank
Right Direction

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Welcome 2010


Nirajana wishes its readers a

Happy and Prosperous New Year 2010

ABTA blames authorities for arrear dues

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 31 DEC: The CPI-M-backed All Bengal Teachers’ Association (ABTA), Malda unit, today blamed the district inspector (DI) of schools and the district school treasurer for delaying payment of arrears following revised salary structure of the secondary teachers announced by the state government.


Addressing a Press conference, one of the ABTA leaders said that they would submit another deputation to the Malda district magistrate Mr Sridhar Ghosh, if the treasurer Mr Gobinda Basak did not clear the arrears soon.


The district secretary of the ABTA, Mr Sankar Sengupta, president, Mr Bhuban Kumar, member of Madhyamik board, Mr Tapan Chakraborty and member of Madrassa board, Mr Tafajjal Hossain, and many others alleged that since September 2009 the treasurer had intentionally objected to clear arrear payments on petty issue twice.


The ABTA leaders yesterday met the treasurer and requested him to clear the arrears soon after the DI of schools submitted fresh bills including supporting documents to claim the arrears on 30 December.


The state government has already allotted Rs 11.39 crore for paying the first installment of arrears (2008-09) of more than 6,500 secondary teachers including madrassa in this district. Interestingly, a section of teachers of secondary schools in Malda have already received their arrears from Central Cooperative Bank without the treasury's approval.


The bank had made the payments on the basis of calculation of arrears made by the DI of schools after receiving a copy from the DI office, which was submitted to the treasury earlier, some leaders of the ABTA said. The ABTA had to face a lot of trouble when other nationalised banks refused to pay arrears to the teachers without the approval of the treasury.


When contacted the treasurer, Mr Gobinda Basak said: “We shall clear the arrear bills after a thorough check. We will clear the bills when we will be satisfied with the required documents of the claims one by one following the objections. Without retention of a teacher's service the salary from government exchequer cannot be sanctioned.”


The DI of schools, Mr Chinmay Sarkar said: “The treasurer, Mr Basak does is delaying the arrears clearing process unnecessarily. He is in a habit of delaying payments of teachers following any minor complaint."


The DI, Mr Sarkar, however alleged that Mr Basak detained the salary bill of all teachers in the district for the month of November, 2009 intentionally following a complaint against a teacher of Milki High School.





Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Traffic: EBM chairman seeks DM’s help

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 30 DEC: The chairman of the English Bazaar Municipality (EBM) has sought help from both the district magistrate and the sabhadhipati of Malda Zilla Parishad to overcome the problem of traffic congestion by setting up a parking place.


Mr Narendranath Tiwari, chairman of the Congress, Trinamul and BJP led-EBM, has informed the district magistrate Mr Sridhar Ghosh that the civic body wanted to set up a parking zone infront of the Malda Town Hall to ease the traffic congestion.


There is no such parking zone for four wheelers in central Malda town. Many people park their vehicles on either sides of the road in market places creating traffic congestion.


Mr Tiwari has approached the sabhadhipati to sanction funds to renovate the Malda Town Hall including development of the place, infront of the Hall, for setting up of a parking zone.


At present a group of winter garments sellers occupied the place before the Hall on rental basis with after seeking permission from the EBM.


The chairman of the EBM Mr Tiwari said: “We are facing acute problem of traffic congestion due to the absence of a parking place in the heart of the town. The small town has lost its capacity to accommodate the present number of vehicles population.”


Though the administration had planned to set up a parking zone in front of the B Ed College but it could not be implemented. Earlier the district authorities thought that the private bus stand would be used as a parking zone when the existing bus stand would be shifted and would be made a central bus terminus. But the central bus terminus is still awaiting its completion due to lack of funds.


The district administration had conceived the plan of a central bus terminus in 1995. In 2007-2008 the construction of the central bus terminus was started afresh.

14 hurt in CP-SFI clash in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 30 DEC: The Mangalbari area under Malda police station turned into a battle field today due to a clash between the activists of Student Federation of India (SFI) and Chhatra Parishad (SFI) over the issue of collecting nomination papers for students’ union election in Gour Mahavidyalaya.


Trouble broke out in the college when a group of SFI activists were coming out of the campus after collecting nomination forms. At least 14 students were injured in the clash. The SFI activists protested when more than 100 CP supporters entered the college to collect nomination papers, violating administrative decision.


However, earlier it was decided that less than 20 students could enter the college premises for the purpose.


The deployed police forces failed to control the clash when it broke out of a tea stall outside of the college campus. When one SFI student was injured in a tussle between the two students’ organisations, the SFI supporters attacked the CP activists injuring 12 people. The CP supporters blocked NH-34 disrupting traffic services, even in the presence of police officers.


The entire traffic system got congested when the BJP joined in a road block programme at that moment on another issue.


The SFI activists, after collecting nomination forms, took shelter at the CPI-M party office at Mangalbari. The CP supporters allegedly had even hurled bricks at the party office.


The Malda SP Mr Bhuban Mandal today visited the spot and decided to deploy rapid action force to control the situation.


Police have decided to deploy more forces there during the submission of nomination papers and even on the day of election.


The students’ union of Gour Mahavidyalaya is under the control of the CP and the students’ election will be held on 7 January.


On the other hand, students’ organisations are also collecting nomination papers from the Malda College, where the election will be held on 11 January.


On 4 January the students’ union election will be held at Pakuahaat College and Kaliachak College. The Pakuahaat College is under the control of SFI.


In Kaliachak college the SFI has already won 12 seats after cancellation of nomination papers of the CP. Election will be held for only 7 seats. The CP has retained its union in South Malda College. In Samsi College, the SFI has won all the 18 seats on Saturday. The SFI was able to retain its union in Malda Women’s College.


The SFI leaders approached the administration to deploy adequate police arrangement in Chanchal College. Distribution of nomination forms will be deferred in Chanchal College.





National Highway 34 to be widened

will come up soon

Villagers stop health workers from speaying Dithiothreitol

will come up soon

Kaliachak hospital comes under threat

will come up soon

Monday, December 28, 2009

Muharram violence in Kaliachak

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 28 DEC: Thousands of people from a Muharram rally attacked doctors and nurses of Kaliachak hospital with arms, this afternoon, when a boy was killed and several others were injured due to the bursting of a gas cylinder, belonging to a ballon seller, in a local Muharram fair at Maheshpur-Alipur.


Dr Sukdeb Biswas and other staff on duty, had to flee the hospital campus to save their lives. The angry mob entered the hospital quarters, which is close to the Kaliachak police station, damaging it thoroughly. They ransacked the hospital and at least six rooms were damaged in presence of police, according to the health officials.


Trouble broke out when one doctor and a few sisters failed to monitor the treatment of more than twenty injured persons, including many children. Nearly eight boys, most of them between 8 to 14 years old, including the balloon seller were brought to the hospital in a critical condition. The angry mob demanded immediate treatment which could not be delivered because of staff shortage.


According to the chief medical officer of health, Dr Srikanta Roy, on duty doctor, Dr Biswas and other staff on duty had to flee when hundreds of people with arms like sword, rod and other weapons chased them demanding immediate treatment.


The Malda SP, Mr Bhuban Mandal said: “A fourteen year old gas balloon seller died. Seven critically injured patients were admitted to Malda district hospital. They are under going treatment. Some other injured were admitted to Kaliachak hospital”.


Unconfirmed sources said that two more persons died on the spot. The Malda SP said: “We don't have information about two more deaths.”


After the incident the CMOH sought help from the DM and SP and large police forces were dispatched to the spot. Till late evening police could not drive out nearly 500 angry people from the hospital campus.The sabhadhipati of Malda zilla parishad, Mrs Sabina Yeasmin, rushed to the spot this evening to pacify the mob. After the incident two doctors of Kaliachak hospital Mr Mansoor Ali and Mr Razzak, were asked to visit the Kaliachak hospital with police escort. Initially the doctors denied but the Malda SP ensured police escort for them. When trouble broke out a small number of police had to return from the spot. In another incident at Mirjatpur in Ratua police station, people from a Muharram rally damaged a few houses of Hindus. Police rushed to the spot to control communal tension. The Malda SP said the situation is under control in Ratua.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Flour instead of wheat for BPL card holders

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 27 DEC: Following the state government's order the food and supplies department in Malda has started distribution of flour instead of wheat to the consumers belonging to the below poverty line (BPL) since last week.


Distribution of flour through the public distribution system (PDS) has evoked mixed response as many consumers are demanding wheat instead. According to some of them, the quality of flour may be inferior to that of wheat. The BPL families are getting flour packets each weighing 750 gms for Rs 5 only.


Flour packets were being sold among the BPL consumers seeking their consent. When the consumers refused to buy flour, the respected pulse dealers dealers asked them to lodge complaints if they were not satisfied with its quality. Howeber, the dealers’ association has demanded wheat for distribution in favour of the BPL consumers.


A senior inspector of the food and supplies department, Mr NK Das said: “Distribution of flour will begin from next week, if the millers can supply adequate flour packets on time. Millers have not supplied enough flour packs so far.”


Following the government order, the district controller of food and supplies will supply wheat to the local flour mills through Food Corporation of India (FCI).


The authorised distributors will collect flour from millers for dealers.


According to officials of food and supplies department, distribution of flour has been already started in some other districts more than one month ago.

Ex-sabhadhipatis to be felicitated to mark Panchayat Week

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 27 DEC: All former sabhadhipatis will be felicitated in a panchayat mela to mark Panchayat Saptaho starting from 29 December in Malda. The district administration and the Malda Zilla Parishad are jointly organising the two-day fair near Indoor Stadium here.


The administration is not in a position to invite second former sabhadhipati, Mr Abdul Alim, who at present is settled in Bangladesh. He was the second sabhadhipati of the Malda Zilla Parishad when Congress came to power.


The founder sabhadhipati Manik Jha died few years ago. The administration has invited his elder son to attend the programme.


Another former sabhadhipati Mr Soumen Pandey will not be able to attend the programme owing to an eye operation that he will have to go through on the same day.


This apart, the district administration will felicitate seven panchayat members, who have been serving the panchayats for more than 25 years.


The vice-president of the Malda district Congress, Mr Masidur Rahaman, has been selected for his contribution to gram panchayat for more than 25 years.


The district panchayat department will also declare the best panchayat samiti in the district and organise competitions among gram panchayats.


The additional executive officer, Mr Kajal Banerjee said: “We will also arrange a felicitation programme for the toppers in Madhyamik, Higher Secondary and Madrassa examinations.”





ZSI report to solve deer musk seizure case in Malda

MALDA, 25 DEC: Malda forest department is awaiting the laboratory test report of the deer musks from the Zoological Survey of India, that were seized from a Bangladeshi national in October, this year.



During checking of visa and passport, immigration officials had intercepted a Bangladeshi who was carrying 20 small bottles of the deer-musk on the way to his country in October this year. The accused, identified as Hasimuddin Mandal, a resident of Naogaon, is now under police custody. On the basis of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau's (WCCB) report in Kolkata, the forest department has framed charges against him. According to the divisional forest Officer Mr AK Singh the WCCB said that the deer musks were genuine.


“We are waiting for the ZSI report on the seized deer musks. Recently I have requested the ZSI for sending the report as soon as possible”, said Mr Singh. "If the report shows that the musks are authentic, the accused person will face penal action,” Mr Singh added.


This was the first time that the BSF intelligence nabbed a person involved in such illegal trades. The accused had confessed that he had bought the deer musks from a footpath in Vellore. He had come to India for treatment. ;SNS

Jail inmate dies at NB Medical College

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 25 DEC : An inmate of Malda correctional home, identified as Safiul Hoque (24) died at the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMC&H) yesterday, after suffering from fever and breathing problem.


Hoque was arrested on 13 December this year from Mahadipur area, close to India-Bangladesh border, under English Bazaar police station on charges of circulating fake Indian currency.


Two persons including Hoque were arrested in this connection and remanded in police custody for seven days for interrogation. On 19 December Hoque was lodged in jail.


He fell ill since 19 December and informed the jail superintendent. After being examined by the doctor he was advised to get admitted to the jail hospital.


His condition worsening, he was admitted to the Malda district hospital on 21 December. Examining the serious condition of the patient the doctors of Malda district hospital referred him to NBMC&H.


The Malda jail authorities made arrangements to send him to NBMC&H on 22 December through Siliguri correctional home.


He was admitted to the NBMC&H on 23 December where he died on 24 December morning.


Malda jail authorities informed his family members about his death and suggested them to contact Matigara police station to take over the body. Hoque's family members, resident of Kaliachak area, alleged that he died due to negligence of his health on part of the police while he was in custody.


The Malda jail superintendent Mr C R Gharai said: “An unnatural death case has been registered in the Matigara police station in Siliguri”.


The matter has been communicated to the state and national human rights commissions and arrangements have been made for inquest, Mr Gharai added.





DI to probe school fund crunch

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 25 DEC : The Malda district inspector (DI) of secondary schools Mr Chinmay Sarkar seized all papers including cash book from Khutadaha RC High School yesterday to inquire into the alleged financial irregularities against school authorities following the complaints lodged by the local people including guardians.


The Bamongola block development officer Mr Anjan Ghosh sealed the office room of the school when the local people staged agitation and confined the school authorities including the new head master and the former teacher in charge on Wednesday till 11.30 pm.


Mr Sarkar said: “The newly appointed headmaster Mr C S Choube, recommended by the SSC, joined the school four months ago; but the school authorities did not take initiative to hand over charges to him”. Mr Choube was facing trouble to run the school without financial charges after joining the school. The former teacher in charge and the secretary of the school could not reply satisfactorily on this issue, Mr Sarkar said.


According to him, the school authorities could not give satisfactory answers about the utilization of funds of Rs 3.70 lakh allotted from Sarba Shiksha Mission for the construction of school building. Other financial irregularities have been found. The school authorities withdrew funds but allegedly did not utilize them on time.


“I will ask the new headmaster to assume charges soon. Stern action will be taken against the school authorities after thorough investigation”, Mr Sarkar said.


Yesterday the DI interacted with the local people, including teachers for teacher in charge and the secretary of the school.

Friday, December 25, 2009

Dept to act against ‘fake’ dealers

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 24 DEC: The deputy director of the department of agriculture of Malda, Mr S Palit has instructed sub-divisional and block level agriculture officials to lodge an FIR against Mr Bhanu Das for allegedly selling paddy seeds without possessing license.


The decision was taken following a complaint lodged with the agriculture development officer (ADO) of Old Malda, Dr Swarnali Bhattacharya, by a group of farmers yesterday.


The farmers had not only lodged a complaint but had also presented the seed seller, Mr Bhanu Das, before the ADO.


The deputy director Mr S Palit said: “I have already instructed my officials to lodge two FIRs with the police station against Mr Bhanu Das. An FIR will be lodged for allegedly selling paddy seeds without a license and another will be lodged on the basis of the complaint filed by the farmers for duping them by selling poor quality seeds”.


The ADO of Gazole, Dr Tushar Kanti Roy, on the other hand, issued an order against an authorised seed dealer in Gazole haat to stop selling seeds for 21 days following an agitation lodged by the farmers today under the banner of Paschim Banga Krishak Samiti backed by the the CPI-ML (Liberation).


“Taking into consideration the farmers’ complaints and some documents we have decided to close the shop belongign to Mr Achinta Sarkar, a license holder, for allegedly selling poor quality and fake seeds. Within 21 days we will complete our inquiry and take a final decision against him after seeking permission from higher authorities”, Dr Roy added.


Mr Bhanu Das said: “I had applied for the license a few months back, but it has been rejected by the agriculture department. I have been selling seeds in different local haats (markets) by procuring seeds from an authorised dealer Mr Achinta Sarkar at Gazole”. The assistant director of agriculture (administration) in Malda, Mr Mir Farhad Hossian said: “The ADO will take the final decision to curb such menace and lodge a FIR against the offender.


The decision has already been communicated to the block offices verbally”. The ADO, Dr Bhattacharya said: “I am supposed take action against unlicensed seed sellers according to the instruction of my authorities. But till date I have not received any written instructions from the deputy director”.


Mr Hossain has already reported to the deputy director that Mr Bhanu Das had tactfully opened a permanent shop for selling seeds in Old Malda block without license.


Dr Bhattacharya will also submit her inquiry report to the deputy director through proper channel following the complaint received from the farmers. It may be noted that hundreds of farmers from Old Malda and Gazole block have suffered huge losses after using paddy seeds procured from the local traders resulting in 40 per cent less harvest than the expected production.


The farmers, under the banner of Paschim Banga Krishak Samiti, backed by the CPI-ML (Liberation), today staged a demonstration in front of the office of the ADO of Gazole block to protest against the selling of fake paddy and other crop seeds from an authorised counter located in Gazole.





BDO seals school office after parents agitate

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 24 DEC: Bamongola block development officer, Mr Anjan Ghosh, “sealed” the office room of the Khutadaha RC High School following an agitation on the issue of irregularities against the school authorities.


The administration and local police had to take the decision following the agitation organised by a group of guardians and locals.


The guardians had requested the then teacher in charge (TIC), Mr Manothosh Biswas and the managing committee of the school to look into various issues like academic problems, absentee teachers and financial regularities.


Guardians had demanded financial records and accounts on the construction of buildings.


Yesterday, they came to the school and sought clarification from the newly appointed headmaster Mr C S Choube.


The agitation continued till 11.30 p.m. last night. It was finally lifted following an intervention by the local administration and assurance from the district inspector of school (secondary) Mr Chinmay Sarkar, over phone from Kolkata.


Mr Sarkar was in Kolkata for official work and he rushed back today hold a meeting with the guardians and the school authorities to sort out the deadlock.


The new headmaster, Mr Choube, failed to manage the angry guardians and finally disclosed that he did not have any records of financial transactions made earlier during the tenure of the TIC Mr Manothosh Biswas.


The agitators forced the authorities to summon the TIC last night and seek a clarification. Trouble broke out when agitators found difference of opinion between the present headmaster and the TIC.


The TIC, Mr Biswas, could not give them satisfactory answers on the irregularities.


“The TIC did not hand over the complete responsibility to the new headmaster. Today I am holding meeting with them. I will be able to tell in details about the issue later”, said Mr Chinmay Sarkar, the DI (secondary) Malda.

Council fears trouble during exams, seeks security

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 24 DEC: Apprehending trouble in examination centres for the recruitment of primary teachers scheduled on 27 December, the Malda district primary school council (DPSC) has sought adequate security arrangements from the district administration.


As per the High Court order, the Malda DPSC would conduct the written examinations for selecting candidates as primary teachers, sponsored by the employment exchange in 2006 for the recruitment.


To fulfill the vacancies announced earlier, five candidates have been called for the written examinations for one post following the present direction of the state government, according to the DPSC officials.


But the applications of hundreds of candidates, sponsored by the employment exchange in 2006, have been rejected following scrutiny on the basis of academic qualification criteria and marks.


They have been agitating since Monday in front of the office of the Malda DPSC demanding call letters.


Today the situation has taken a violent turn with the agitators demanding to meet the DPSC chairman, Mr. Tapan Mandal demanding postponement of the examination.


“We would conduct the examination strictly in accordance with the Court order.


“We are keeping in touch with the administration for the arrangements of adequate security in the centres to conduct examination peacefully”, said Mr. Tapan Mandal, the DPSC chairman.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Fake paddy sale: Farmers demand action

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 23 DEC : A group of farmers today lodged a complaint with the agriculture development officer (ADO) of Old Malda block, Dr Swarnali Bhattacharya, demanding action against local traders who were allegedly selling fake paddy seeds in the market.


The ADO said that she would take at least seven days to complete thorough inquiry during which she would talk to the other farmers regarding the allegations. She further said that it would be very difficult to prove that the production of paddy was hampered owing to poor quality seeds, since the harvesting has already been completed.


She said that agriculture department workers in the field would talk to the victims who bought seeds from a local trader six months ago, to collect information and other documents to take action against seed sellers who allegedly duped the farmers.


“I will also talk to the farmers after completing primary investigations”, she said.


The farmers today not only lodged complaint but also presented the seed seller Mr Bhanu Das before the ADO.


Mr Das, presently working as seed selling hawker, confessed before the ADO that he bought seeds from Mr A Sarkar, another seed dealer in Gazole town in the district, and also produced a tabled cash memo.


Dr. Bhattacharya revealed, “Bhanu Das did not have license for selling seeds. Four months ago I visited his shop and asked him to close the shop. Though he had applied for license, he did not fulfill the criteria to get license from the state government”.


The assistant director of agriculture in Malda Mr Mir Farhad Hossain said, “We need to get a specific complaint to inquire in to the allegation. After inquiry we will report it to the deputy director for necessary action”.


Nearly 80 farmers from Old Malda block suffered huge losses after using paddy seeds procured from the local trader resulting in 40 per cent less harvest of the expected production.


The farmers under the banner of Paschim Banga Krishak Samiti, backed by the CPI-ML (Liberation) will lodge the same complaint with the ADO of Gazole block tomorrow.





Water woes continue in parts of Malda

MALDA, 23 DEC: Arsenic-free drinking water distribution was disrupted since last Thursday in different parts of the Manikchak, Kaliachak block II and parts of English Bazaar block and town, as pipelines are being repaired in different zones.



Since Thursday water supply was suspended when the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department started work on pipeline that carry water from the intake point located at Shankaritola Ghaat and treat it at the Mathurapur water treatment plant at Manikchak.


Water lifting was suspended for three days from the Fulohar. However, after restoration of pipelines, the PHE started lifting water from the river and after treatment, started distributing arsenic-free water from the fourth day.


People in different areas have suffered a lot owing to scarcity of drinking water in the past six days. The distribution of water was suspended partly again in the zone of English Bazaar block and town due to damage of pipelines at Bagbari.


Though the PHE started replacement of old and damaged pipes and started laying new ones at Bagbari in English Bazaar, but was not able to complete the restoration work till today. The superintending engineer of the PHE came to know the matter when residents of English Bazaar informed the PHE officials today. The superintendent engineer has asked the assistant engineer to supply water soon after replacing the damaged pipelines by this afternoon.


The executive engineer of the PHE (arsenic) Malda division, Mr Swapan Maitra, was on leave and was not available for comment. ;SNS

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Farmers suffer losses from use of fake seeds

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 22 DEC: Fake seed and cereal market has been allegedly flourishing in Malda district owing to lack of proper vigilance of the agriculture department.


Hundreds of farmers in Old Malda and Gazole blocks have been duped by local traders after buying fake and poor quality paddy seed from local markets.


Though the traders had claimed that the seeds were certified by the NSC (National Seed Corporation), and showed the stamps on the bags, farmers have suffered huge losses after cultivation of paddy this year.


The farmers have started agitation demanding compensation from the local traders for supplying fake and poor quality seeds to them.


Nearly 80 farmers from Old Malda block had bought paddy seeds (called swarna) six months ago from the shop of a local trader, Mr B Das, located at 8-Mile haat.


The trader had to leave the area when the farmers claimed compensation from him after they found the rate of production was not up to mark.


Mr Das finally confessed that he had bought the seeds from a businessman, Mr A Sarkar, from Gazole town in this district.


When a section of farmers contacted Mr Sarkar to demand compensation he blamed another dealer located at Raiganj in North Dinajpur.


Mr Sarkar reportedly told the farmers: “I bought the seeds from a dealer at Raiganj in North Dinajpur”.


Mr Nirmal Rajbanshi and Mr Mohan Rajbanshi, farmers in Old Malda, alleged that they got only 1.20 quintal swarna paddy per bigha land from the low quality seeds. It usually produces at least 4 quintal paddy per bigha land.


The farmers in Old Malda have united under the umbrella of Paschim Banga Krishak Samiti, backed by the CPI-ML (Liberation) and they will stage an agitation in front of the Agriculture Development Officer (ADO) in Old Malda tomorrow in protest against fake seed selling business.


“The ADO works as inspector of a block to curb the fake selling of seeds, fertilisers and pesticides. But the department does not have such infrastructure to control the menace at every point”, said Mr S Palit, deputy director of agriculture department in Malda.


“Agriculture department will take action if the farmers can lodge a specific complaint including the name of seller, voucher for buying seeds from the sellers and at least empty packet of seeds”, said Mr Palit.


“If any trader is found guilty after inquiry the license for selling seeds will be cancelled”, he added.





Congress captures panchayat seat from CPM

Statesman News Service
MALDA, 22 DEC: The Congress captured a seat of Pandua gram panchayat in Gazole block in the bypolls held on Sunday. In the last panchayat polls, the CPI-M had won the seat.


It may be noted that voters from the area had turned against the CPI-M from the Parliamentary election as the CPI-M could not revive its organisation in this seat of the gram panchayat.


CPI-M performance in other seats in the recent bypolls remained unchanged.


Malda bypolls were conducted for two panchayat samiti seats and three gram panchayat seats.


The CPI-M has been able to retain the Karkoch panchayat samiti seat in Gazole block. On the other hand, the Congress has been able to retain the Birnagar panchayat samiti seat.


The North Malda MP, Mrs Mausam Noor, had campaigned in Gazole to capture Karkoch panchayat samiti seat from the CPI-M.


It may be noted that Gazole was a stronghold of the CPI-M but Mrs Noor managed to secure unexpected lead in Parliamentary election from the Assembly Constituency.


The Left Front partner Forward Bloc has been able to retain the Sahabanchak gram panchayat seat and the Congress retained the Bakhrabad gram panchayat seat in Kaliachak-III.

‘Treaty’ to conclude turf war

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 21 DEC: Malda police have been finally able to conclude a “treaty” between two gang leaders Mr Asadullah Biswas, a CPI-M party member, and Mr Tuhur Ali Biswas, a local Congress leader, to bring upon peace in the locality. After the arrests made last week, both the party leaders are under police custody and they have been shifted to Malda district hospital owing to their illness. “To bring peace at Majampur and Narayanpur villages we are trying to make an ‘alliance’ between the two accused. They have spoken to each other already and have confessed many things. Both of them had grievances against each other. Mr Ali Biswas was in a vengeance after the murders of his brother and son,” the Malda SP Mr Bhuban Mandal said “Both of them have assured us that they would try to maintain peace in their villages and would help police in tracking their followers involved in crimes, who had already fled, to surrender soon,” the Malda SP added.The two leaders and their gangs had turned the Majampur and adjoining areas in the district into a wild west vying for the right of illegal trade with Bangladesh. The Malda SP said police had already completed interrogation and said that there was no need to seek permission from the court to remand them in police custody. “I shall try my best to restore peace in the district,” Mr Mandal said.

Dist Trinamul agitates, demands probe into UGB results

Statesman News Service



MALDA, 21 DEC: Malda district Trinamul Congress committee today staged an agitation infront of the camp office of University of Gour Banga and submitted a nine-point charter of demand to the in-charge of UGB, Mr Bikash Roy, who is also the head of the Bengali department, since the finance officer, registrar, controller of examination and the vice-chancellor were absent.


Trinamul leaders demanded the formation of an inquiry committee in order to have a detailed probe into the delay in publishing "incorrect" results of UGB BA, B Sc and B Com Part I examinations. The committee also demanded a thorough investigation into the financial records of the university as it was alleged that huge amount of money were collected earlier as subscription for setting up the university building here.


During the agitation, the leaders criticised the trend of top officials of the UGB, including the V-C, Prof Gopa Datta, who reside at the Malda circuit house temporarily, paying minimal rent to the government. "They enjoy house rent allotted from the government for staying here permanently but most of the days they are out of station," one of the leaders alleged.


During their agitation the leaders demanded the immediate construction of a permanent building to run PG courses and also asked for proper infrastructural facilities. The Trinalmul district committee has also threatened to launch another stir after seven days if they do not get positive response to their demands from the university authorities.
 
 
In another incident Malda police recovered the body of Sambhu Mahata (35), resident of Sahebganj in Jharkhand, near Behula Bridge, close to NH-34 under Malda police station area this morning.



Police suspects that the body was brought here after being killed by his rival group elsewhere. "He was shot at his belly and head. But we have not found any signs of bloodshed at the spot where the body was kept. So, we suspect that the body was carried by a vehicle here after he was murdered elsewhere," said Mr Bhuban Mandal, the Malda SP. ;SNS

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Red Ribbon clubs step in to check HIV stigma

MALDA, 20 DEC: Members of 18 Red Ribbon Clubs of colleges were given training yesterday in Malda under Peer Educators’ programme to spread awareness among students on the need to inculcate positivity among HIV patients.



A flagship programme of national AIDS Control Organisation (Naco) and West Bengal State AIDS Prevention & Control Society, it was implemented by West Bengal Voluntary Blood Donors’ Forum. The secretary of the WBVBDF, Mr Apurba Ghosh and state representative Mrs Chandana Das trained the college students.


Mr Ghosh also met organisers of the Red Ribbon Club from Murshidabad, Siliguri, North and South Dinajpur and urged them to select peer educators and form a core group that will work with HIV positive people. Students have also been asked to organise blood donation camps in colleges, organise poster making competitions and celebrate AIDS Day to do away with the stigma associated with patients. Promotion of healthy lifestyle among peer educators and thalassemia prevention too has been included in the programme.


Mr Ghosh also said he was trying to organise quiz and music competitions among club members to be telecast on television channels as a part of the awareness campaign. The district magistrate Mr Sridhar Ghosh, secretary of the WBVDF Mr Apurba Ghosh and others too interacted with blood donors yesterday to encourage them to organise more blood donation camps. n SNS

Relief for thalassemic children in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 20 DEC: Dr. Ashish Mukherjee, director, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Cancer Research Institute in Kolkata, today examined two kids suffering from thalassemia and took responsibility for their treatment.


Father of the two kids, Mr Siadul Rahaman, who is a daily wage earner, had written to chief minister Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, pleading mercy killing as he could not bear the medical expences of his children.


Following a report in The Statesman Dr Mukherjee showed interest in examining the two kids and their thalassemia carrier parents.


With financial assistance from the department of Bio-Technology (under the Central government) a team led by Dr Mukherjee organised free medical camp for cancer and thalassemia patients at English Bazaar town, in Habibpur and its neighbouring Bmongola block and examined more than 300 people, including the two children and their parents.


According to Dr Mukherjee , the children were suffering from ‘intermediate’ thalassemia and required immediate operation. He said expenses for their operation would be borne by his trust and with funds from the Prime Minister.


A team under the the central government project, has decided to carry out research and work on patients suffering from cancer and thalassemia in Malda.


Dr Mukherjee said that Malda had the highest number of patients suffering from thalassimia when compared to other North Bengal districts.


“In the first week of January a tele-medicine centre will be opened in Malda under the Central government project”, Dr Mukherjee said.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Students’ union elections to be held on the same day

Statesman News Service
MALDA, 18 DEC: To eliminate violence in the college students’ union elections, the Malda district administration has urged the authority of different colleges to conduct all the election in one single day.
The district magistrate Mr Sridhar Ghosh today said that the police were facing problem to manage the student elections.
“To prevent outsiders from entering colleges during student union elections, we have asked the authority of different colleges to hold the elections on a single date,” the DM said.
According to the police, violence has increased during the college elections. The proposed system would reduce hostilities, the police administration believes.
The DM and Malda SP Mr Bhuban Mandal held a meeting with the principals of different colleges on the issue recently where they put forth the suggestion to be introduced from next year.
The district magistrate has also requested the principals to complete students’ union elections by 10 January 2010.
According to the DM, the principals have assured to discuss the matter and try to introduce the system from next year.
According to the Malda SP, most policemen would leave for duty at the Sagar Mela after 10 January.
“Providing adequate security for the elections would become difficult if the franchise were held after that date,” the SP added.

Civic body suspends cesspool service

Statesman News Service
MALDA, 18 DEC: The English Bazaar Municipality (EBM) has suspended its cesspool service since the past few months owing to lack of its own dumping ground.The locals are facing problems in clearing their septic tanks, which are spilling over, after suspension of this service.The EBM had to suspend its cesspool service following agitation of locals at Chandan Park where the EBM used to drain cesspool and dump garbage.The chairman of the EBM and other officer bearers will hold meeting tomorrow to find out a way to select a land to continue the services for dumping garbage. “In a few days we will face a major problem in dumping garbage without a proper place”, said Mr Narendranath Tiwari, the chairman of the EBM.In last two months the EBM has been supplying garbage in ward no. 3 to fill in wet lands and low laying areas following the request of the councillor.“Garbage has been used to fill low laying areas before dumping earth for construction of road in ward no. 3. But such work will finish soon.”“After that we need to dump garbage in Chandan Park again”, Mr Tiwari said.It may be noted that following the agitation by the local people, the district administration had asked the EBM to find out an alternative place for dumping garbage. But the EBM could not find out alternative place in last four months.Following the request of the EBM, the district administration had selected a land to be used as a dumping ground and for implementing of solid waste management, but the EBM did not accept the proposal due to its inconvenient location. A councillor said that the chairman would meet the district magistrate again following the decision to be taken at tomorrow's meeting.
Peaceful bandh
MALDA, 18 DEC: A 12-hour bandh called by the INTUC Malda unit demanding arrest of those involved in the murder of the former district INTUC president, Biswanath Guha, passed off peacefully in English Bazaar town today.;SNS
DM assurance
MALDA, 18 DEC: The Malda district magistrate, Mr Sridhar Ghosh today assured that the National Highway Authority officials would visit Gabgachhi Jadupur area in English Bazaar in January, 2010.;SNS

Free medical camp at English Bazar

Statesman News Service
MALDA, 18 DEC: With financial assistance from the department of Bio-Technology (under Central government), a team of doctors will organise a free medical camp for cancer and thalassemia patients in English Bazaar municipal area and the tribal dominated block from Habibpur tomorrow.A team of 23 experts, led by Dr Ashish Mukherjee, director, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Cancer Research Institute in Kolkata, will also organise a workshop at the maternity hospital with the help of the English Bazaar Municipality here. Dr Mukherjee from Kolkata said that thalassemia patients are mostly from Habibpur block area in Malda district.“Under this Central government's project we need to trace awareness campaigning among Mal-Pahari, scheduled caste and scheduled tribe people in Malda district”, he added.There is a provision to set up a tele-medicine centre in Malda and we will decide it after the visit of the Maternity hospital (Matri Sadan) of the English Bazaar Municipality tomorrow. Dr Mukherjee and his associates may meet the family members of Mr Saidul Rahaman, a daily wage earner, who had written to the chief minister Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee in November, pleading for mercy killing after having failed to bear expenses for the treatment of his two children who were suffering from thalassemia.Under the guidance of state's AIDS prevention and control society 18 Red Ribbon Club have been formed in all colleges including private B Ed colleges in this district to continue awareness programme among the 15 to 30 years age group of students and people.Experts from state level will organise a training programme for the interested RRC members tomorrow. Five interested club members have been selected for this training programme.

English Bazaar seeks Central assistance

Statesman news service
MALDA, 17 DEC: The English Bazaar Municipality (EBM) is hoping that the Central government will sanction funds for surface water treatment plant for this civic body from Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).The office bearers of the EBM, led by the Congress, Trinamul and the BJP, were upset after failing to implement the surface water treatment plant for supplying drinking water in the past two years. The Congress has two MPs from Malda but they did nothing to pursue the project. The EBM had prepared a project based on the confluence point of two rivers ~ Mahananda and Kalindri ~ two years ago but could not manage funds from the Central government. The estimated cost of the project was Rs 41 crore. Recently, the chairman of the EBM, Mr Narendranath Tiwari attended the Chintan Shibir of the Congress in Nadia and requested the Union finance minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, to sanction funds for a surface water treatment plant. The chairman of the EBM, Mr Tiwari said: “We have got the green signal from the concerned department a few days ago. The finance minister is now looking into the matter”.The chairman of the EBM admitted that without surface water treatment plant it would be difficult to supply drinking water to the people of English Bazaar, only depending upon the under ground water sources, throughout the year.“In many Wards, including added areas, we are not in position to supply water. The present pump houses do not have capacity to supply water to the increased population and extended areas. Many pump houses are old and not functioning properly”, he added.Recently, the South Malda MP has allotted funds to the tune of Rs 25 lakh to repair some defunct pump houses to continue supply of underground water in some areas where water crisis is a perennial problem in dry season.

CMOH takes up power failure incident at OT

MALDA, 16 DEC: The chief medical officer of health in Malda, Dr Srikanta Roy, today asked the district hospital authorities to identify the staff who did not inform about an electric fault at the operation theatre and labour room during an emergency situation today. As a result alternative power supply could not be arranged and patients had to face a lot of difficulty.The "minor" electric fault remaines unattended for over 24 hours when the hospital OT was left in complere darkness. The matter was taken seriously when the Malda Zilla Parishad sabhadhipati, Mrs Sabina Yeasmin, came to know that two baby girls were born in the hospital and due to the electric fault, doctors had to carry on the operation lighting candles and torches.“I was shocked to hear the incident. There was a simple electrical fault in the building bu nobody informed the authorities so that alternative arrangements could be made at the OT and labour room,” Dr Roy said today.The electric fault remained unattended for over 24 hours. Hospital authorities could not supply power to a single part of the bhospital uilding, where the OT was located, through generators as it was a minor power failure and not a usual power cut. "In case of load-shedding, we use generators to supply power to the emergency departments in the district hospital, but the electric fault could not be fixed by using generators,” the CMOH said. “We need thorough inquiry into the matter to find out if there was any sabotage behind the incident to defame hospital authorities,” he added.A section of hospital staff were reportedly unhappy with the new hospital superintendent, Dr Asok Biswas, who had started monitoring activities of a section of staff strictly curbing their vested interests. The incident took place in absence of Dr Biswas when another doctor was in-charge of district hospital.“We can not take action against any staff as we do not have the right to suspend them. We can only issue showc-ause notice to them,” Dr Srikanta Roy, the CMOH, said. ;SNS

Police in Malda have arrested Congress leader

MALDA, 16 DEC: Police in Malda have arrested Congress leader and alleged gangland boss Tuhur Ali Biswas, from a village in English Bazaar, near his residence last evening. Police had arrested his adversary CPI-M leader and another suspected warlord Asadullah Biswas on Monday night. The two and their gangs had turned the Majampur area in the district into a wild west vying for the right of illegal trade with Bangladesh. With both crime lords behind bars, the police hope peace would return to Majampur. Leaders of different political parties, however, are wary. Commenting in the dual arrests, CPI-M district secretary Mr Jiban Moitra said: “The police have demanded that peace would be restored after the arrest of Asadullah Biswas. We hope the police are right.”Speaking on the same issue, Congress leader, Mr Enarul Haque, said: “The two leaders suffer from ego problems. If they are allowed to stay in touch with their respective gangs from jail, peace would never return to Majampur.” It is learnt that the police want to see the two men behind bars for at least six months to have an effect on them. The duo has been fighting it out over territory since the 90s. The police have framed more than 10 charges against each of the two leaders including murder, rioting, extortion and others but the locals are not confident the police would be able to establish the charges against them for lack of witness.”As far as the local people are concerned, no one would come forward to testify against the two leaders fearing future retribution. ;SNS
Tribal kids rescued
MALDA, DEC.16: Police in Malda today rescued seven tribal kids from a private bus travelling from South Dinajpur and arrested one person Jillur Rahaman and detained one Chanre Tudu suspecting child trafficking. According to the police, the traffickers were planning to engage the children as labour in Delhi. ;SNS

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Bus owners to defer strike against plying of illegal vehicles

Statesman News Service
MALDA, 15 DEC: Following the request of the district administration, the Malda Bus and Mini Bus Owners’ Association (MBMBOA) deferred the indefinite passengers’ transport strike called by them.The MBMBOA had called for an indefinite strike starting today, demanding administrative action against thousands of illegal motorized three-wheeler vans plying on state and national highways.The association also demanded that another passenger carrier, Tata Magic van should not be allowed to ply on the road without the permission of regional transport department. Yesterday, the district administrative officials including the Malda DM, ADMs, RTO and additional SP held a meeting with the MBMBOA members and assured them that the administration would take action against illegal motorized van and other vehicles plying without route permit from the RTO. The district magistrate sought time from the MBMBOA up to 6 January to take action against them and requested them to call off their 15 December strike. The secretary of the MBMBOA, Mr Uttam Roy said: “We have deferred the strike following request of the administration. On 6 January, the district administration will hold a review meeting on the issue following our demand."“If the situation remains unchanged, we will go on strike after 6 January," Mr Roy said. According to Mr Roy, illegal, mechanized three-wheeler vans are carrying passengers on the state highway and also the National Highway. The business of a bus owner is being hampered by numberless machanised vans (Bhutbhuti) which carrying passengers. Other vans, like Tata Magic, are plying on state and national highways without route permit from the RTO. These vehicles are getting permit from the STA (state transport authority). “We demanded that the district administration convey to the STA our request that it should not give permission to Tata Magic in districts like Malda. The STA can give permission to such vehicles for plying only in industrial belts," Mr. Uttam Roy, secretary of the MBMBOA, said.The district administration has acknowledged the problem faced by the bus owners’ association. The district magistrate, Mr Sridhar Ghosh said: “Illegal mechanised vans (bhutbhuti) are creating problems. These mechanised vans cannot carry passengers. But at present, these vans are carrying passengers not only through the state highway but also the NH-34."“We shall be held responsible if such vans face any major accident and few passengers are killed owing to the accident. If such vehicles carry goods we will not take action. But if they carry passengers on the state or national highways we must take action against them," said Mr Ghosh.He also said: “If mechanised vans ply in interior villages, where there are no bus services, we will not look into them."

Monday, December 14, 2009

One held for killing GRP personnel

MALDA, 14 DEC: CID officials today detained Israil Sheikh of Bihar, from Ajibnagar village under Harishchandrapur police station in connection with the shooting of a GRP personnel aboard the Katihar-Malda passenger train on 11 December. The criminals had fled with two rifles and cartridges of the victim GRP jawan and his companion. According to the Malda SP, Mr Bhuban Mandal, CID special superintendent Mr S Maity and his forces are still raiding some villages in search of the criminals involved. It is learnt that one Azad Sheikh, who is a wanted criminal in the record of Bihar police, is absconding after the incident. Israil was found in the house of Sheikh. The Malda SP, Mr Mandal, said a group of dacoits was travelling in the same compartment in which the GRP jawans were. The criminals attacked them before they could act against them. ;SNS



CPM leader held MALDA, 14 DEC: Acting on a tip-off Malda police arrested a CPI-M party member, Asadullah Biswas, who is also the Majampur gram panchayat member, during a raid at a hiding place under Kaliachak police station this night. Biswas was a gang leader of a criminals’ group in Majampur and was among the most wanted people here. ;SNS Bombs seized MALDA, 14 DEC: Police recovered two muskets and six bags of crude bombs from Majampur area under Kaliachak police station during raids last night. The police are conducting raids in the area to arrest criminals fighting over the right to illegal trade to Bangladesh. ;SNS

Malda to get new police station

MALDA, 14 DEC: State government has recently issued a notification for setting up a new police station at Pukhuria reducing the area of control under the present Ratua police station in Chanchal sub-division.According to the notification, a total of 151 moujas, which is under the control of the Ratua police station, will be divided into two parts. A total of 100 moujas will be retained under the present Ratua police station and the rest 51 moujas will come under the new Pukhuria police station.Setting up of a new police station was a long standing demand of the police department in order to control the 15 blocks in this district. The former superintendents of police in Malda had been demanding a number of police stations in the district since 1999-2000. At present the district has only 11 police stations and some outposts including Pukhuria in 15 blocks, but now stress has been laid to upgrade the Pukhuria outpost as a police station. Besides, the police department also wanted to set up a police station at Mothabari in Kaliachak block II, another police outpost, which is under the control of Kaliachak police station. The district had set up Baishnabnagar police station in Kaliachak block III, more than a decade ago. Earlier the area was under the control of Kaliachak police station. In Chanchal sub-division, police have planned to set up another police station to control the area under Harishchandrapur block I and II. Presently Harishchandrapur police station is in charge of these blocks close to Bengal-Bihar border, identified as crime prone areas. ;SNS

Gour Banga University likely to run PG classes at indoor stadium

MALDA, 14 DEC: The University of Gour Banga may run classes for seven PG courses in the Satya Choudhury Indoor Stadium in Malda town from April this year due to a lack of its own complex. With no alternative in sight, the UGB vice chancellor Prof Gopa Datta had sought the Malda district magistrate Mr Sridhar Ghosh's help for classrooms as the new university does not have buildings in its campus in English Bazaar town. The university authority has rented rooms from some colleges in different spots to conduct the cases from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. The UGB authority visited the indoor stadium on 11 December following the district magistrate's proposal.The UGB authority has selected a part of the stadium that is generally let out for social functions. The UGB registrar Mr Tapas Chatterjee said: “The accommodation in the stadium is good enough to hold classes for seven subjects but the premise would be available after March. The accommodation has already been let out for various social ceremonies up to March.” According to the registrar, the university authority would take up the proposal to hold classes in the indoor stadium in the council meeting on 18 December. It is learn that the district administration has asked the stadium authority not to let it for social programmes after March. ;SNS

Sunday, December 13, 2009

CID to solve GRP cop killing incident in Bhaluka

MALDA, 13 DEC: Police has planned to seek help from CID to unearth the motive behind the gunfire killing of one GRP personnel on the Katihar-Malda passenger train, the DIG rail, Mr Anil Kumar, said here today. On Friday night a group of seven criminals snatched two rifles and cartridges from two GRP personnel and shot dead Arun Bhadra, when he tried to resist them. The incident took place at Milangarh near Bhaluka under Harishchandrapur police station, close to Bengal-Bihar border. The ADG Rail, Mr Dilip Mitra, the DIG Rail, Mr Arun Kumar, the SRP, Siliguri, Mr Jayanta Pal and the Malda additional SP Mr Kalyan Mukhopadhyay have been investigating the incident, but no arrest have been made yet. However, the involvement of Maoist connections are suspected in the incident.Mr Kumar said that they had already contacted Katihar police in Bihar to identify the accused gang after interrogating some local people who were detained yesterday. However, the identities of the detained persons were not revealed. According to the investigating officers, the two GRP personnel were attacked by the gang of criminals when they had boarded Katihar-Malda passenger train at Bhaluka station in Harishchandrapur. According to police sources, there were only 12 passengers including the criminals in the compartment. No passengers wre robbed other than the GRP personnel. They fled snatching rifles and all cartridges from their possession killing Bhadra.Another injured GRP personnel, Mr Sandip Singha was also interrogated yesterday. He said that he had heard some of their conversations when they were fleeing which were possibly Maoists’ slogans. ;SNS

Microphones banned near exam centres, but who’s paying heed?

Statesman News Service
BALURGHAT/MALDA, 13 DEC: Defying the prohibitory order, a media institute has used loudspeakers at high decibel at Balurghat Natyamandir, within stone's throw of an School Service Commission examination centre today. With the incident having hogged media attention, the institute principal Miss Anita Biswas apologised for the “mistake”. However, the first half of the examination was over by then. According to a SSC examinee, Mr Anik Chowdhury, a microphone was blaring in an ear-splitting volume from the Natyamandir when the examination was about to commence. “The centre is no more than 100 metres away from the place from where the loudspeaker was blaring. “Yet, surprisingly enough, nobody from the administration came forward to stop the menace,” he alleged. However, Mr Ashim Bala , who was in charge of the SSC examination and a deputy magistrate himself said that he could not understand how such a thing could have happened in defiance of the prohibitory order under Section 144 of the CrPc. “We would initiate a probe into the incident,” he said.Around fifteen thousand examinees have appeared in today's SSC examination at Balurghat High School. And the examination has passed off peacefully.Twelve SSC examinees hurtTwelve examinees of the school service commission (SSC) examination were injured when a Tata Sumo collided with a lorry on NH-34 at Rasulpur under Gazole police station this morning. The injured were taken to Gazole hospital and two of them, who were critically injured, were referred to the Malda district hospital.The examinees were coming from Harishchandrapur, Bhaluka area to attend the SSC exam in Malda town today. The SSC exam was to start from 10 a.m. and the accident took place around 8 a.m., more than 20 km from Malda town.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Dacoits attack GRPs

MALDA, 11 Dec: Two government railway police (GRP) officers, escorting the Malda-bound Katihar passenger train, were attacked by 6-7 dacoits, while the train was passing through Milangarh in Harishchandrapur police station area. One of the GRPs, Mr Sandip Singha, was hit with the rifles, while, the other officer, Mr Arun Bhadra was shot dead. The dacoits snatched away the rifles from the two officers and shot at Mr Bhadra using one of the rifles. Malda SP, Mr Bhuban Mandal said: "There were 6-7 dacoits, who attacked the GRPs, while the train was moving. They were disguised as fellow passengers, travelling in the train, till the point of attack." ;SNS

Malda NVF cops suspended over clash

MALDA, 11 DEC: Police administration in Malda has suspended three constables and demobilised 15 NVFs for dereliction of duty during the Majampur hostilities over the past two days, the Malda SP, Mr Bhuban Mandal said today. According to the SP, the ASP, Mr Kalyan Mukherjee had been asked to prepare a report on the police's role vis a vis the Majampur situation. “The action has been taken on the basis of the ASP's report on the subject. The suspended persons were found reluctant to arrest the criminals,” the SP added. Two groups of criminals exchanged fire and hurled bombs injuring two innocent people on Wednesday and set some huts on fire. The criminals also shot three policemen yesterday following which the police arrested three of the criminals. They were remanded to police custody for five days.“We will interrogate them to get more information and arrest the others involved including the main criminals of both groups,” the SP said. According to him, the situation was now under control but raids would continue for the wanted criminals.Majampur erupted in a series of clash between CPI-M and Congress controlled criminals a few months ago over the right to illegal trade with Bangladesh. The police are yet to arrest the kingpins. ;SNS

Declaration of incomplete results instigates SFI to continue protest

Statesman News Service
MALDA, 11 DEC: The University of Gour Banga today published the results of Part -I examinations of B Sc and B Com. The university could not publish results of Part-I examinations of BA. Almost after five months the new university published part of its results today. The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) today staged an agitation in front of the office of the vice chancellor, demanding immediate publication of BA results. They had already declared to launch a protest agitation if results did not come out by 10 December. As of today, results are only partially out. True to their declaration, the SFI, today, announced that it will continue with its agitation till the authorities publish the BA results, which should have been declared on 10 December.A few days ago when the SFI leaders submitted their deputation to the vice-chancellor, Prof Gopa Datta, she ensured that they were trying hard to publish results on 10 December.The percentage of successful candidates is 61 per cent in B Sc and 50 percent in B Com. Results for BA will be published soon, the controller of examination Mr C Basu told the reporters. The district secretary of the SFI, Mr Joy Chakraborty said: “Agitation will continue until publication of the Part-I BA results.”Expressing unhappiness over the percentage of results Mr Chakraborty said: “We would start another agitation on this issue after contacting SFI units of other colleges in three districts."“We will demand that university authorities review or conduct scrutiny of answers scripts free of cost following the applications by the students," Mr Chakraborty said. Mr Chakraborty asked: “What will be fate of the students who are studying in second year for

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Two Malda policemen shot at

Statesman News Service
MALDA, 10 DEC: Criminals shot at two policemen after the latter arrested three criminals of a CPI-M leader Mr Asadullah Biswas's gang at Majampur in Kaliachak police station this morning. A police constable Mr Abu Taleb was gravely injured in the shooting while a home guard Mr Shabir Ali sustained minor injury. According to the Malda SP Mr Bhuban Mandal, Mr Taleb is now out of danger following a surgery in Malda district hospital.“The police arrested several persons including three wanted criminals Kamal Sheikh, Rafique Sheikh and Mintu Biswas. I have asked the additional SP and the DSP to take stern action against the criminals, who have turned the Majampur area into a combat zone. “Additional forces have been deployed in the area after the attack on the police,” the SP said.It is learnt that the police have launched a combing operation in the Majampur area and detained 15 persons today. According to the police, of the three arrested persons, Mintu is Asadullah's brother and right hand man. His arrest led to the attack on the police. Claiming that the situation was under control in the Majampur area, the SP said: “Trouble broke out yesterday after criminals led by a Congress supporter Tuhur Biswas attacked a 60 year-old man at Narayanpur village while another group led by Asadullah Biswas set some huts on fire and shot a 28 year-old man despite police presence and prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Cr PC in the area.The SP has instructed an inquiry into the incidents despite police presence and the ASP Mr Kalyan Mukherjee is preparing a report on the situation and if found guilty with dereliction of duty, some policemen could be suspended, it is learnt. A turf war has been going on the Majampur area for the past few months and the police have not been able to arrest the kingpins. “Some criminals could have been arrested during yesterday's incidents had those on duty been more serious,” the SP said.

Seven hurt in train accident
MALDA, 10 DEC: At least seven persons were injured when a Katihar-Malda passenger train rammed into a tractor at a level crossing at Barduary near Harishchandrapur station this morning. The injured were admitted at the Malda district hospital. A railway staff was suspended. ;SNS