KalimNews: ABAVP the Dooars Adivasi outfit has called bandh on 29th December in Dooars area.State Adivasi Convention will be held on 29th at Subhasini Girls's high School premises of Mal Bazar. Left parties had invited Adivasi and party union leaders from other parts of the country and most them had arrived in Mal Bazar on Monday. Meanwhile CPM and ABAVP organised rallies in Malbazar.A CPM source said that it is confident that the convention will be held without any disturbance.
CPM in Darjeeling
KalimNews: CPM will hold a public meeting in Chowk Bazar of Darjeeling on 8th January 2011. Left party for the first time after seven years is holding a public meeting. Earlier it had organised a party indoor meeting in Gymkhana Club of Darjeeling.
Primary Teacher appointment showcause
KalimNews: Showcause notices is being served to various teachers for violating certain examination regulations. Teachers selected and appointed as primary school teachers in the Jalpaiguri district were found to have been appointed violating the recruitment norms. Many were alleged to be family members and relatives of the recruitment committee and LF party leaders.
An investigation team source said that many of the answer scripts didnot bear signatures of examination invigilators as well as signatures of the paper examiners. The involved teachers will be asked to appear before the committee for the clarification.
No Helipad in Kalimpong
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A scenic spot at Deolo, which has been found unsuitable for a helipad. Picture by Chinlop Fudong Lepcha |
Rajeev Ravidas, TT, Kalimpong, Dec. 27: A preliminary survey by the civil aviation ministry has concluded that Deolo is not a suitable site for the construction of a helipad in Kalimpong while giving nod to other identified sites at Dhotray near Darjeeling and Mirik.
The survey also found that introduction of regular helicopter services in the three hill towns would not be commercially viable.
The government-owned Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited had carried out the survey jointly with the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation (WBTDC) in March to find out if the chopper rides could be launched from Bagdogra to Mirik, Darjeeling and Kalimpong. Apart from Deolo, which is 5km from here, the other sites surveyed were the existing helipads in Mirik and Dhotray tea garden, 18km from Darjeeling.
Pritha Sarkar, the WBTDC joint director, said helipads could be developed at Dhotray and in Mirik. “However, the site at Deolo is not suitable for the construction of a helipad. There is no suitable site in Kalimpong that can be used for the (helicopter) operation,” said Sarkar on phone from Calcutta, quoting the report. She said the report had not mentioned any reason for rejecting the spot.
The site in Mirik is often used by helicopters to land and take off and the survey said it could be converted into a full-fledged helipad.
“They (read the Pawan Hans) said in their report that people would prefer to travel by road to these places rather than by air to enjoy the scenic beauty of the hills. So, the service may not be commercially viable,” said Sarkar.
She, however, stressed that all matters relating to the setting up of helipads in the hills and the Sunderbans were in a preliminary stage.
Pawan Hans was incorporated with the objective of providing helicopter services to oil companies for off-shore explorations and charter rides for the promotion of tourism. The company also offers air rides to the remote and hilly areas.
Sarkar said Pawan Hans had suggested that instead of regular trips, charter services could be an option in the hills.
The introduction of helicopter services in the hills had figured in Parliament earlier this month. CPM Rajya Sabha member Saman Pathak had asked the government if helicopter services between Bagdogra and the three hill towns could be launched to facilitate the arrival of tourists.
Civil aviation minister Praful Patel, in his written reply, said a survey had been undertaken by the Pawan Hans in collaboration with the WBTDC to check the viability of the helicopter services in the hills.
Unions blamed for garden desertion - Tea workers take off party flags
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Workers with the trade union flags they had thrown to the ground at the Mujnai Tea Estate on Monday. Picture by Anirban Choudhury |
ANIRBAN CHOUDHURY, TT, Alipurduar, Dec. 27: Workers of a Dooars garden who found the estate abandoned by the management when they arrived for duty today brought down flags of trade unions and threw them to the ground, protesting the ineffectiveness of political parties in protecting their interests.
All the management staff had left Mujnai Tea Estate in Jalpaiguri’s Madarihat, spelling uncertainty for the almost 1,000-strong workforce who accused the trade unions — there are five labour unions in the garden — of not doing anything for them. The dominant trade union is Citu, which claims to have 400 members. The other unions belong to the RSP, Congress, Trinamul Congress and the Akhil Bharatiya Adivas Vikas Parishad.
Asmaya Tamang, a woman worker, said: “We don’t know why the trade unions don’t do anything. In the past decade the garden had been closed at least 10 times. From October 2008 when it reopened, we had been getting our wages and ration regularly till November this year. But what about our other dues like the 24 rations pending and our provident fund that has not been deposited despite an amount being deducted from our salaries. We are totally at a loss to understand why the unions were unaware of the management’s plan to leave the garden,” she said.
Asmaya and others said they had brought down the union flags, as they no longer had faith in the labour wings of the political parties. “We are worried that if the management does not return, we will face a terrible time, especially during winter. From now onwards, we ourselves will participate in the meetings to get our dues and not rely the unions to negotiate on our behalf,” she said.
The garden unit secretary of the Citu-affiliated Cha Bagan Mazdoor Union, Sukha Oraon, said estate manager Achintya Bhattacharya had left for Calcutta about 10 days back. “The two assistant managers and the head clerk also left on Saturday and we thought they had gone somewhere for Christmas. However, this morning when we reported for work at 8am we found that there was no one in the office and the quarters of the management were locked,” he said.
When asked about the workers’ ire against the trade unions, Sukha claimed that it was the handiwork of some opportunists. “Some people are instigating the workers to protest against us so that there is more tension in the garden and the management stays away. Some people make a lot of money by selling tea leaves when the garden is closed,” he said.
He claimed that most of workers were with the trade unions and they had been told that the management would return soon. “We have assured them that the manager will return soon with their wages and we will continue to work even if they are not here. We are sure that the manager and his staff will return,” the unit secretary said.
The secretary of the Dooars Branch Indian Tea Planters Association, Amitangshu Chakrabarty, said the garden manager had informed him that he would return soon. “We have been told by the manager that the workers should keep their patience till the end of the year, after which he would return with the wages,” he said.
The block development officer of Madarihat, Hirak Mondol, said he did not know anything about the garden being abandoned. According to labour department norms, the management is supposed to inform the local administration if it abandons a garden. “I have not been intimated by anyone as yet that the management had abandoned the garden,” he said.
7 arrested for BDO assault
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CPM leader Habibur Rehman at the Raiganj district court on Monday. Picture by Nantu Dey |
TT, Raiganj, Dec. 27: A CPM zonal committee secretary and six other party workers were arrested today for assaulting the block development officer of Itahar five days ago.
After the arrests, CPM members and supporters gheraoed the block office, protesting that their leaders “were innocent and were framed”. They demanded the removal of the “corrupt” BDO Sheikh Jahur Ali, who had been attacked by a mob on December 22.
Led by the CPM zonal committee secretary Habibur Rehman, around 50-60 persons had pushed Ali to the ground, slapped him around and tore his sweater when he alighted from his car in Itahar, 25km from here, to accept a charter of demands from a party delegation.
A day earlier, Rehman had called Ali and told him about his party’s plan to submit a memorandum to him on the alleged irregularities in the 100 days’ work scheme and the rampant corruption in the Congress-run Itahar panchayat samiti.
“We investigated the role of the persons named in the FIR and arrested them from various places in Itahar. They were produced before the chief judicial magistrate and their bail pleas have been rejected. The court has sent them to judicial custody till January 6, the date for the next hearing,” additional superintendent of police Milan Bhowmik said.
One of the main complaints in the FIR by Ali was the police inaction while he was being assaulted. “The policemen present just stood around and it was my office staff who helped me flee to safety,” Ali said.
AAGSU celebrated 35th Foundation Day in Bokajan
Sanjeev Kr. Limboo, Media Cell; AAGSU, Bokajan, 26th Dec: The 35th Foundation Day of All Assam Gorkha Students’ Union (AAGSU) was celebrated at Hill View English High School Ground, Bokajan in Karbianglong with a daylong colourful program on 26th December 2010 Sunday by the Karbianglong Dist Committee AAGSU in the aegis of the Bokajan Regional Committee of AAGSU.
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AAGSU Chief Advisor Dil Bahadur Limboo addressing the open session |
The program started with inauguration of the main gate followed by flag hoisting Nitin Rai President KADC AAGSU, a one minute silence observed to pay tribute to all known and unknown martyrs, formal homage to martyrs paid by Suraj Chetry Gen. Secy. KADC AAGSU and Lalit Thapa President of the Reception Commitee at 9 am in the morning. Nanda Kirati Dewan Information and Publicity Secretary; AAGSU while addressing the gathering outlined the history on the birth of AAGSU which orginaly was born in the year 1946 in Sonitpur at Darrang College then undivided Darrang district in active participation of people like Prabhu Maan Karki who had then donated Rs.5000/- cash for establishment of Darrang College by the name ‘Darrang Gorkha Chattra Sangh’ which was renamed as ‘Darrang Nepali Chatra Sangh’ in 1955 similarly Brihhatar Guwahati Nepali Chattra Sangh in early 1960s was also formed.
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Harkha Bahadur Chetri, Chairman Gorkha Autonomous Council Demand Committee |
After assimilations on 26th December 1976 of all such units, and district branches it came to be known as ‘All Assam Nepali Students Union (AANSU now AAGSU) till date the All Assam Gorkha Students’ Union (AAGSU) covering length and breadth of the state. It may be noted here that AAGSU is the apex body of the Gorkha populace in Assam stretching from Sadiya in the east to Dhunburi in the west.
Ex-Deputy Secy Karbianglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) Mr. C S Teron initiated the mass tree plantation program for KADC AAGSU to mark the foundation day mass tree plantation which was called by AAGSU. A colourful cultural rally with more than two thousand participants from all communities of Bokajan region was flagged off from Phoolbari. The rally crossed through CCI, Sukhanjan, Bokajan, Daily Market to Phoolbari covering a distance of 12kms on a marketday. Veteran Cultural activist of the nation Kamal Singh Nepali and Rajib Kro of the famed 200 episode of ‘Kichiri Sangbaad’ aired on North East India’s first satellite channel NETV addressed the participants of the mass cultural colourful rally. Cultural troupes various communities and guests were fed lunch with traditional Gorkha foods like gundruk, sinki, sikuti, selroti, chamrevat, til ko achar etc. which they enjoyed.
Post lunch the much awaited ‘Open Session’ presided by Nitin Rai, President AAGSU KADC started off by cutting the 35th AAGSU Foundation Day cake by Chief Advisor of AAGSU Dil Bahadur Limboo and dignitaries on the dais followed by his inaugural speech wherein he threw light on birth of AAGSU and to present status of organization which has been marred by breakaway fraction despite a huge credit to the formation of Gorkha Development Council (GDC). He emphasized that unity amongst the students’ community will be his main focus and the process is on and soon this will be in papers and official which the Gorkha populace will embrace.
Veteran literate and President of the Assam Sahitya Sabha Rong Bong Terang the tribal face of Assam who had consented to grace the occasion as ‘Chief Guest’ could not attend due to emergency executive meeting in Guwahati. In his written message to the Gorkha students’ fraternity he expressed his utmost desire to be a part of the mega celebration of an indigenous students’ community of Karbianglong and Assam and nation at large. He categorically recalled the bravery and contributions of the Gorkahs in the process of construction of the composite Assamese Society.
Gorkha Development Council (GDC) Chairman Loknath Upadhyay addressed the gathering as stand in ‘Chief Guest’ where in he highlighted the democratic movement undertaken by the members and activists of AAGSU for formation of Gorkha Autonomous Council. He reiterated that the recent formation of Gorkha Development Council (GDC) in Assam of whose he was unanimously elected as ‘Chairman’ was the result of years long agitation undertaken by the students body. He credited AAGSU as the reactionary and driving youthful force of the Gorkhas who has emerged as one of the largest network students’ organization covering 30lakhs Gorkha population of Assam.
Gorkha leaders of the region Ran Bahadur Rouka Member GDC, Lal Bahadur Pradhan Chairman of the Livestock and Poultry Farm Deptt. KAAC, D R Gurung Gen Secy. GACDC KADC and C S Teron Former Deputy Secy KAAC addressed the gathering. President and Secretaries of all most all community organizations were present in the open session. Thereafter Gorkha autonomous Council Demand Committee (GACDC); Chairman Harkha Bahadur Chetri in his two hours long key note address spoke at length on all spheres AAGSU’s history, social and political dynamism and vision and appealed womens in particular besides the youth to participate in AAGSU to realize dreams of formation Gorkha Autonomous Council (GAC) in near future.
AAGSU Vice President Birendra Subba and Bhim Bahadur Rai, Info & Publicity Secy Nanda Kirati Dewan were also present in the open session. Sabitri Devi KADC AAGSU Vice President presided the middle part of the meeting. Later in the evening the colourful cultural program was held.
Vegetable vendors warned
Diwas Rai, KalimNews, GANGTOK, December 27: The East district administration, concerned over arbitrary price hike of vegetables during any crises, has warned the vegetable sellers of Gangtok of strong action if they were found overcharging the common man.
“There have been a lot of complaints from various agencies and local people on high prices charged for vegetables, especially onions during the present shortage. We are not directing you all to sell at a loss but the customers should not be over-charged”, said DC (East) D Anandan to wholesale agents and vegetable vendors of Khanchenjunga Shopping Complex during a meeting here at the east district administration office.
The vendors had been called by the district administration to deliberate on necessary actions to be taken regarding the prices of onions, which had risen alarmingly nationwide.
“There have been a lot of complaints from various agencies and local people on high prices charged for vegetables, especially onions during the present shortage. We are not directing you all to sell at a loss but the customers should not be over-charged”, said DC (East) D Anandan to wholesale agents and vegetable vendors of Khanchenjunga Shopping Complex during a meeting here at the east district administration office.
The vendors had been called by the district administration to deliberate on necessary actions to be taken regarding the prices of onions, which had risen alarmingly nationwide.
“The prices of onions all over the country have come down but the story in Sikkim is otherwise. Instead of the prices coming down, the people are being overcharged with some vendors reportedly selling at Rs 70 to Rs. 80 also. None of the shopkeepers are displaying rate boards and the onion prices are not stable”, said Anandan.
Anandan told the gathering that the district administration has taken a serious note of such arbitrary and opportunist vegetable sellers and other shopkeepers dealing with onions. He directed the shopkeepers and vendors to display their trade licenses in their shops with at least six to seven main item rate boards. Cash memo also should be given to the customers, he said.
“The district authorities will be conducting surprise visits in the shops every week to see whether such instructions are followed or not”, said the DC.
SDM (East) AB Karki, officials from urban development department, Gangtok Municipal Corporation and Food & Civil Supplies department were also present in the meeting.
Anandan told the gathering that the district administration has taken a serious note of such arbitrary and opportunist vegetable sellers and other shopkeepers dealing with onions. He directed the shopkeepers and vendors to display their trade licenses in their shops with at least six to seven main item rate boards. Cash memo also should be given to the customers, he said.
“The district authorities will be conducting surprise visits in the shops every week to see whether such instructions are followed or not”, said the DC.
SDM (East) AB Karki, officials from urban development department, Gangtok Municipal Corporation and Food & Civil Supplies department were also present in the meeting.
Bharat Nirman Campign
Diwas Rai, KalimNews, Gangtok,27 Dec: With an aim to create awareness among the mass about various flagship programmes of the Central Government being implemented in the State, a three days long Bharat Nirman Public Information Campaign began at Sumbuk in South district today.
Inaugurating the Campaign at the Block Administrative Centre the Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee of the State Legislative Assembly Mrs. Tulsi Devi Rai called upon the people to get themselves equipped with all the information about various development schemes through such Campaigns as to get the maximum benefits of the schemes. She urged specially the Pnchayat members to attend the Bharat Nirman Public Information Campaigns , held in the State from time to time, to know about the flagship programmes of the Central Government since almost all of them are run under the Panchayat bodies themselves.
Inaugurating the Campaign at the Block Administrative Centre the Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee of the State Legislative Assembly Mrs. Tulsi Devi Rai called upon the people to get themselves equipped with all the information about various development schemes through such Campaigns as to get the maximum benefits of the schemes. She urged specially the Pnchayat members to attend the Bharat Nirman Public Information Campaigns , held in the State from time to time, to know about the flagship programmes of the Central Government since almost all of them are run under the Panchayat bodies themselves.
Mrs.Rai urged the villagers to make an optimum use of the programmes like MGNREGA for creating the needed infrastructure.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Administrator of the Karfectar based State Institute of Capacity Buiding Mr.SD Dhakal stressed on a capable population so as to get the maximum benefit of the State and country’s progress.He told that the State Government has constituted the State Board of Livelihood Schools which is the first of its kind in the entire country.Mr.Dhakal told that nineteen Livelihood Schools ,on various trades ,have been opened in the school so far as to prepare a capble human resource out of the local youths.
The Campaign has been organised by the Press Information Bureau,Gangtok in collaboration with other media units of the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.Our Gangtok correspondent reports that this is the thirteenth in the series ever since the Bharat Nirman Public Information Campaign started in Sikkim from Gangtok in November 2006.Some 40 percent of the total population of the State have been covered so far with three Campigns held in each of the four districts during the period.
Proposal for black topping of 400 km of PMGSY road sanctioned for Sikkim
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Administrator of the Karfectar based State Institute of Capacity Buiding Mr.SD Dhakal stressed on a capable population so as to get the maximum benefit of the State and country’s progress.He told that the State Government has constituted the State Board of Livelihood Schools which is the first of its kind in the entire country.Mr.Dhakal told that nineteen Livelihood Schools ,on various trades ,have been opened in the school so far as to prepare a capble human resource out of the local youths.
The Campaign has been organised by the Press Information Bureau,Gangtok in collaboration with other media units of the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.Our Gangtok correspondent reports that this is the thirteenth in the series ever since the Bharat Nirman Public Information Campaign started in Sikkim from Gangtok in November 2006.Some 40 percent of the total population of the State have been covered so far with three Campigns held in each of the four districts during the period.
Proposal for black topping of 400 km of PMGSY road sanctioned for Sikkim
PBI, Sumbuk 27th December: Proposal for black topping of nearly 400 kilometres of road constructed under PMGSY has been sanctioned by Govt. of India and the work for it is expected to commence from start of next financial year. This was informed by Superintending Engineer, Department of Rural Management and Development Shri Kewal Prasad Sharma while addressing technical session on the first day of Public Information Campaign at Sumbuk, South Sikkim.
A total of 1422 Kms of road has been completed against the target of 1800 Kms while the rest will be completed in the coming phases of implementation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana in Sikkim, where road length of 378 Kms covering 81 habitation will be covered, Shri Sharma informed. Highlighting the quality control mechanism adopted for PMGSY roads, he also informed that land compensation is being provided in Sikkim, the provision which is not included in the program.
Speaking on National Rural Water Development Program, he further informed that there has been quantum increase on the central share for this program, providing for greater flow of funds and wider coverage. He also informed of new guideline that empower the panchayats for implementation of rural water supply schemes, where funds are directly released by the centre to the panchayati raj institution for implementation of such projects through village level health and sanitation committee.
Field facilitator Shri Prem Norbu Sherpa highlighted on the unique mechanism of Dhara Vikas, a program devised for rejuvenation of spring water and their sources. Citing deforestation and unplanned infrastructure development as one of the reason for declining of water sources in the State, he said Dhara Vikas is a concept implemented through MGNREGA for rejuvenation of water sources and increase the water discharge. Identification of catchment areas and the use of geo-hydrological information are the techniques along with plantation that is used, he informed.
Similarly, field facilitator Shri Suren Mohora briefed on the importance of hygiene and sanitation that is being implemented under Total Sanitation Campaign. Highlighting the negative impact of open defecation, he said that total sanitation is one of the eight developmental program included in the millennium goal. Highlighting the instances of open defecation, he further informed of a new initiative where an army of community members have been brought together to force implement the objective of total sanitation. This he said has been coined community led total sanitation campaign where all the members round up the adamant people to adopt hygienic sanitary habits.
Royal stamp on Lepcha reserve - Taas gets ready to put Dzongu on Sikkim tourism map
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(Top) Tingvom village in Dzongu; and tourists at a villager’s house in Dzongu |
TT, Gangtok, Dec. 27: A protected reserve of the Lepchas in North Sikkim is slowly opening up to village tourism with a visit from a royal entourage from Norway last week giving a much-needed boost to the concept.
The picturesque Dzongu, 70km from here, with the Kanchenjungha range in the backdrop and the Teesta flowing through it, is a place where visitors can enjoy solitude, breathe fresh air, relish organic food and get acquainted with the Lepcha culture.
Every hill and stream in the villages of Dzongu have their own stories passed on by the Lepchas orally. Narration of these generation-old tales to the tourists forms an integral component of tourism.
Although the concept of village tourism, popularly known as homestays, was introduced in the area few years ago, the idea has recently caught the interest of the Travel Agents’ Association of Sikkim (TAAS), the apex body of tour operators in the state.
In this sort of tourism, visitors put up at village homes to get a taste of local culture and ways of life.
The association has adopted Dzongu and will be promoting village tourism based on the Lepcha culture and organic lifestyle for high-end visitors and impart tourism know-how to local stakeholders.
A TAAS team including president Lukendra Rasaily, deputy director of the tourism department Devika Gurung, and Sikkim branch manager of Northeastern Development Financial Corporation Limited Prajwal Gogoi went on a daylong tour in Dzongu on Friday during which they visited the stakeholders.
Last week, a five member royal entourage from Norway with crown prince Haakuw, crown princess Mette Macit, and their children stayed at a home at Passindang village in Dzongu for three days.
“The royal family was delighted with the beauty and peace of the place. It was an honour for the tourism industry of Sikkim to host them. They have promised to return next year with a bigger delegation,” said Sonam Norgay Lachungpa, owner of Galaxy Tours and Travels, the agency that conducted the trip of the Norway royal family. Lachungpa is also the general secretary of TAAS.
The royal family accompanied by six bodyguards stayed in an accommodation run by a local youth, Gyatso Lepcha.
“They wanted undisturbed natural surroundings. They spent their time going on short treks and visiting the Teesta river. They also wanted to know about the local culture,” he said. To enter Dzongu a domestic tourist has to get permission from the district administration of North Sikkim.
Martin Koskin, a teacher from Sydney, was also on a five-day trip at Passingdang. “I wanted to spend some time in the mountains. Dzongu is very peaceful and completely different from other hilly areas. The people here are very hospitable and friendly,” he said. The TAAS team visited Phidang, Hee-Gyathang, Lingdom, Naom, 6th Mile and Tingvom in Dzongu and interacted with the local families who have started putting up visitors at homes.
“We have good horticulture and organic products to offer to the tourists. While the foreign visitors are generally interested in the Lepchas, the domestic tourists want to experience the village life,” said Ugyen Paljor Lepcha who has an accommodation for tourists at Hee-Gyathang.
“We have adopted Dzongu because it is an area with minimum concrete structures. We want to develop tourism here according to the local lifestyle,” said Rasaily. He added that Dzongu is an ideal destination to promote village tourism and the travel agents’ association will assist the local initiatives there.
TAAS adviser S.K. Pradhan said the association would market Dzongu and conduct tourism etiquette training programmes for the local people. “We will also highlight Dzongu in our website,” he said.
Lachungpa has asked the local people not to encourage concrete constructions in the area. “Tourists don’t want to see massive structures or modern lifestyle. They are more interested in enjoying village life with the local community.”
Smugglers attack forester, torch camp
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A file picture of the forest camp that was set on fire on Sunday |
TT, Siliguri, Dec. 27: Suspected timber smugglers armed with daggers attacked a forest beat officer and burnt down a wooden camp used by guards in Mahananda wildlife sanctuary last evening in retaliation for a raid to seize illegal timber.
Sources said Nabin Pradhan, the Punding beat officer, had been attacked by a gang of 25-30 people at his office around 4pm. The camp was set on fire when the foresters were patrolling the area to arrest those who had assaulted Pradhan.
“The beat officer had received information that smugglers had brought illegally felled tress to Majua village located close to the sanctuary. He raided the village along with his staff, but couldn’t find anything,” said Sumita Ghatak, the divisional forest officer (wildlife II).
“Later in the afternoon, a group of men, who introduced themselves as villagers, arrived at the beat office and demanded to talk to Pradhan. As he walked up to them, they suddenly attacked him with daggers and sharp weapons. He managed to catch hold of a dagger but suffered a minor injury on his abdomen. His hand was also injured while resisting the attackers.”
The smugglers could not cause further harm to the officer and fled the spot as guards rushed to his rescue hearing his screams. As Pradhan was taken to the block primary health centre in Sukna, 10km from here and 5km from the beat office, the foresters started patrolling the area to arrest the attackers.
“We had a wooden structure on the bank of the Mahananda close to railway tracks for foresters to stay and take rest while on duty. As all of them had rushed to Punding after the attack on the beat officer and were engaged in searches, the smugglers decided to target the camp,” said Ghatak.
The smugglers set fire to the camp — located half-a-km from the beat office — around 8pm.
Seeing billows of smoke in the air, the guards rushed to the spot and started dousing the flames. But they could not salvage anything. Beds, furniture and other belongings were reduced to ashes.
“No firearm or bullets were, however, lost as the guards had taken the weapons with them when they had gone out of the camp for patrolling,” said Ghatak. “The attacks were carried out without any provocation. The beat officer has lodged an FIR with Sukna police outpost,” she added.
The DFO said names of the attackers had been mentioned in the complaint. “According to the information gathered so far, most of them were involved in illegal felling of trees and smuggling,” said Ghatak.
She added that Pradhan had been discharged from the hospital after preliminary treatment and he was in stable condition.
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Gurung controversy settled
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One held for theft
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Rs 3-lakh robbery at gunpoint
TT, Siliguri, Dec. 27: A trader was allegedly robbed of Rs 3 lakh by three criminals who held him and two employees at gunpoint at a shop in Tilak Road here late this evening.
Before decamping with the cash, the robbers, who had their faces covered, locked up trader Manoj Goyal and his employees in a room. The local people came to know about the incident when the three broke open the door and came out of the shop.
The criminals descended on the shop around 8.45pm when Goyal, a distributor of Amul products, was counting cash.
“Suddenly, three persons entered my office and held all of us at gunpoint. Their faces were covered with mufflers and they were speaking in Hindi,” said Goyal, who appeared shaken. “They were asking for Rs 10 lakh and insisted that they had information that such a huge amount was kept in my office. I repeatedly told them that I do not have so much money. After a few minutes, they took the cash we were counting, which came around Rs 3 lakh, locked us in the next room and fled.”
As the robbers also took away the cellphones of Goyal and the two employees, they started banging on the door from inside and finally came out by breaking open the lock. Siliguri police were informed about the incident and inspector-in-charge Alok Dasgupta soon reached the spot.
The shop is located on the ground floor of the three-storied Pradhan Building.
Local people expressed shock when they heard about the incident, as the locality had not witnessed such crimes before.
“We had never dreamt of such an incident as even petty thefts were rare in our area. It is astounding to hear that the robbers had struck a shop which is a stone’s throw from a club. Also, many senior citizens gather in a nearby crossing, located around 50 metres from the shop, every evening and they were chatting today as usual. None of them saw anything unusual happening in the shop and came to know about the incident only after the businessman and his staff told them,” said Somnath Chatterjee, a resident and a social worker.
Anirban Ghosh, whose father Ajoy is the owner of the three-storied building, was equally surprised.
“Our family members reside on the first and second floors. They had no clue about the robbery that happened on the ground floor,” he said.
“We couldn’t believe initially when we heard that the trader had been robbed at gunpoint. He had been running his office on rent for the past three years or so.”
Siliguri mayor Gangotri Datta, under whose ward the shop is located, visited the spot. She enquired with Goyal about the incident and saw his office, where cash chest was ransacked and papers were strewn on the floor.
“We feel the robbery was the result of law and order breakdown. Police have failed miserably in stopping the crime. We want the criminals to be arrested immediately,” said Datta
The police said they had got some leads. We are talking to the businessman and his staff to get details about the incident. We are trying to arrest the culprits soon,” said a police officer.
Rs 3-lakh robbery at gunpoint
TT, Siliguri, Dec. 27: A trader was allegedly robbed of Rs 3 lakh by three criminals who held him and two employees at gunpoint at a shop in Tilak Road here late this evening.
Before decamping with the cash, the robbers, who had their faces covered, locked up trader Manoj Goyal and his employees in a room. The local people came to know about the incident when the three broke open the door and came out of the shop.
The criminals descended on the shop around 8.45pm when Goyal, a distributor of Amul products, was counting cash.
“Suddenly, three persons entered my office and held all of us at gunpoint. Their faces were covered with mufflers and they were speaking in Hindi,” said Goyal, who appeared shaken. “They were asking for Rs 10 lakh and insisted that they had information that such a huge amount was kept in my office. I repeatedly told them that I do not have so much money. After a few minutes, they took the cash we were counting, which came around Rs 3 lakh, locked us in the next room and fled.”
As the robbers also took away the cellphones of Goyal and the two employees, they started banging on the door from inside and finally came out by breaking open the lock. Siliguri police were informed about the incident and inspector-in-charge Alok Dasgupta soon reached the spot.
The shop is located on the ground floor of the three-storied Pradhan Building.
Local people expressed shock when they heard about the incident, as the locality had not witnessed such crimes before.
“We had never dreamt of such an incident as even petty thefts were rare in our area. It is astounding to hear that the robbers had struck a shop which is a stone’s throw from a club. Also, many senior citizens gather in a nearby crossing, located around 50 metres from the shop, every evening and they were chatting today as usual. None of them saw anything unusual happening in the shop and came to know about the incident only after the businessman and his staff told them,” said Somnath Chatterjee, a resident and a social worker.
Anirban Ghosh, whose father Ajoy is the owner of the three-storied building, was equally surprised.
“Our family members reside on the first and second floors. They had no clue about the robbery that happened on the ground floor,” he said.
“We couldn’t believe initially when we heard that the trader had been robbed at gunpoint. He had been running his office on rent for the past three years or so.”
Siliguri mayor Gangotri Datta, under whose ward the shop is located, visited the spot. She enquired with Goyal about the incident and saw his office, where cash chest was ransacked and papers were strewn on the floor.
“We feel the robbery was the result of law and order breakdown. Police have failed miserably in stopping the crime. We want the criminals to be arrested immediately,” said Datta
The police said they had got some leads. We are talking to the businessman and his staff to get details about the incident. We are trying to arrest the culprits soon,” said a police officer.
Bosses probe Siliguri jailbreak
 |
Additional IG Kamal Mukherjee at the Siliguri Special Correctional Home on Monday. (Kundan Yolmo) |
TT, Siliguri, Dec. 27: Jail minister Biswanath Choudhury today said he has ordered an inquiry into the escape of four inmates from Siliguri Special Correctional Home early yesterday morning even as senior officials of his department arrived here today to investigate the case.
The four undertrials had fled though a bathroom window after cutting an iron rod with a hacksaw. Questions have arisen on how they got hold of a hacksaw in prison, putting under the scanner the role of the security staff.
“I have sought reports from the additional deputy inspector-general of jails and the deputy inspector-general of jails about the prisoners escaping,” Choudhury told The Telegraph over the phone from Calcutta today. “They will conduct a thorough inquiry and submit the reports shortly.”
The minister also said the jail officials have been asked to act promptly so that action can be taken against those responsible for the jailbreak. “Once the reports reach us, we will work on the punitive steps to be taken against those found responsible during the course of the investigation,” he said.
On the minister’s instructions, additional IG (north Bengal) Kamal Mukherjee and DIG (north Bengal) Bimalendu Mukherjee reached the jail separately.
“They visited the premises, heard in detail from the superintendent how the quartet escaped and also talked to the guards and other staff posted at the jail and recorded their statements,” a jail source said. “We have, however, not heard of any steps like showcause notice or suspension order to any staff for dereliction of duty.”
Mukherjee, who reached the jail this afternoon, refused to speak in detail. “I have just arrived and initiated an inquiry. I am yet to learn the details,” he said.
Police and jail officials however, are still clueless about the prisoners. The Siliguri police, following a complaint lodged by the jail authorities, have started investigations and all police stations across Darjeeling district have been alerted. Among the four, two are from Jalpaiguri, one from Nepal and the fourth from North Dinajpur district.
“We have alerted the police stations along the international border (with Nepal). No developments, however, have been reported till now,” said Gaurav Sharma, the additional superintendent of police of Siliguri.
1 killed in jumbo attack
TT, Siliguri, Dec. 27: A 40-year-old resident of Kusmundi in South Dinajpur was trampled to death by an elephant at Fourth Mile in Salugara range this morning.
Foresters said Sushil Marandi, a labourer, had been staying at a construction site in Baikunthapur forest division with a few other workers.
In another incident, two elephants were spotted inside Bhojnarayan Tea Estate in Naxalbari, 30km from here, this morning. Foresters from Bagdogra, Tukuriajhar and Panighata range along with the wildlife squad of Kurseong forest division are keeping a watch on the animals. They said the elephants are likely to move back to Bagdogra forest by the evening.
Village Sketch
-Sharan Gurung ‘Muskan’
Like a half cigarette on ashtray
My village
Burns futilely
Hugged by the shrewd fingers of Chanakya.
They only know how to be pregnant
And give heat to their belly
By dog-eared stove of history
They abort every time
Their dream of having a healthy son
There is a common shop of conserved dreams
In every lane of this village
That has infertile eyes.
(Why the radio and television
Choose to air the promotion
Of contraceptive pills in this village only?)
Every evening, this village – the eunuch womb
Curls up coolly inside the cold tombs of terror
After gulping the helpless barefooted mourns with tea
They return home lately
For they had just attended the funeral of own self-respect
The brightness that leaves home every morning
With fist of passion
Returns every evening
Hanging the defeated face
Which war is fought in some way here?
Why does certain type of war is fought out here?
The old worship places of village
Those don’t want to be destroyed
Reading the cold faces wrapped by fog
Merge with the unseen treaty
(Which energy booster pills does our village consume
To bear the pain of wounds?)
My village can’t recognize the palace of fire
In the country of Shakunis
My village endures the burn
My village is deserted
Due to tolerance
Not due to pain
(Translated from Nepali by Raja Puniani)
· Notes-
o Chanakya- c. 350–283 BCE. Was an adviser to the first Maurya Emperor Chandragupta (c. 340–293 BCE), and was the chief architect of his rise to power. Kautilya and Vishnugupta, the names by which the ancient Indian political treatise called theArthaśāstra identifies its author, is traditionally identified with Chanakya. Chanakya has been considered as the pioneer of the field of economics and political science. In the Western world, he has been referred to as The Indian Machiavelli, although Chanakya's works predate Machiavelli's by about 1,800 years. Chanakya was a teacher in Takṣaśila, an ancient centre of learning. His works were lost near the end of the Gupta dynasty and not rediscovered until 1915.
o Shakuni- A scoundrel character of Hindu myth Mahabharata, who is a cunning gambler. He was highly responsible for provoking Kauravas, the hundred brothers, for waging war against Pandavas, the five brothers. The war is famously known as the ‘War of Kurukshetra’, because that was fought at Kurukshetra. Shakuni is in fact an mythological imagery used to denote the shrewd people who maintain their low profile but hold deep rooted nexus with state and play important diplomatic role in internal political affairs, coups and wars.
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