Among the killed four, three were identified till this evening, said Forward Bloc leader Mr Akshoy Thakur (MLA). They are Niren Haldar (45) of Gosanimari, Indrajit Chakraborty (30) of Khamar Sitai and Swapan Mohanta (32) of Dinhata Village-I. They failed to identify the fourth man because the head and face of the deceased turned distorted due to bullet injury, Mr Thakur said.

4 FB men killed in police firing at Dinhata, FB calls bandh tomorrow

 

COOCH BEHAR, Feb. 5: An incident of large-scale violence claimed lives of four Forward Bloc supporters at Dinhata today. Condemning the police firing the Forward Bloc called a 24-hour bandh tomorrow. Violence also occurred at Cooch Behar town today.

 

Among the killed four one was identified till this evening, said Forward Bloc leader Mr Akshoy Thakur (MLA). He was Niren Haldar (45) of Gosanimari.

 

District Forward Bloc secretary Mr Udayan Guha said, they organised a law violation programme in support of their seven-point charter of demands in all the five sub-divisions of Cooch Behar district today. He alleged that the police failed to tackle the crowd during the programme at the office premises of Dinhata SDO this noon. When the police resorted to lathicharge the FB supporters got agitated and clashed with police. At first police used teargas shells and then fired indiscriminately on the crowd. Four persons were killed and many were injured seriously in police firing, he claimed. The Forward Bloc called a 24-hour bandh tomorrow against the brutal incident, Mr Guha declared.

 

On the otherhand, violence occurred in Cooch Behar town too. Here the Forward Bloc supporters turned violent when the news of firing at Dinhata arrived. The agitated Forward Bloc supporters clashed with the police during their agitation at Sagardighi Square. The office of Cooch Behar Sadar SDO and other adjacent government offices were attacked. A few government vehicles were also damaged during the trouble. There were reasons enough for their supporters to turn violent, said the Cooch Behar (West) MLA Mr Akshoy Thakur who was leading the law violation programme here. Cooch Behar (North) MLA Mr Dipak Sarkar received injury here and he was shifted to hospital, Mr Thakur said.

 

Mr Thakur claimed that fifty persons or more received bullet injury at Dinhata. 12 of the injured were shifted to Cooch Behar MJN Hospital. Presently there are ten injured at Dinhata sub-divisional hospital, he said.

 

Cooch Behar SP Mr Anil Kumar said, the agitators damaged a few offices at Dinhata and blazed police vehicles. The Dinhata SDO and 25 policemen too got injury. Police tried to disperse the mob by lathicharge. Then they used teargas. At last they had to open fire in which four persons were killed and several others were injured, the SP said. Now, the situation is under control and additional forces were deployed to maintain peace, the SP added.

 

In Cooch Behar town too the agitators damaged some offices and vehicles and pelted stones to the office of the district magistrate, the SP said.

 

Condemning the police firing the president of District Trinamul Congress Mr Rabindra Nath Ghosh announced full support to the FB sponsored bandh. District BJP president Mr Nityananda Munsi and district SUCI secretary Mr Sisir Sarkar too extended their support to the bandh. Forward Bloc sources said the bandh might be extended if necessary. []

Anthrax vaccination drive continues

 

COOCH BEHAR, Feb. 4: Vaccination drive is continuing at Bhojaner-chhara village under Nishiganj-I Gram Panchayat in Mathabhanga-II block and adjoining areas to prevent spreading of anthrax among cattle. Massive awareness drive was also launched in those villages. The villagers of the area were asked not to consume the meat of dead cows that die of anthrax symptoms. They were also asked to bury those dead domestic animals soon after death. Removal of skins from those dead animals was also discouraged.

 

Though a massive vaccination drive have launched but even not a single case of anthrax infection among human beings was reported till now, Cooch Behar DM Mr Rajesh Kumar Sinha said.

 

It may be recalled here that death of six cows on Friday night made locals panicky about anthrax outbreak at Bhojaner-chhara village. On being informed the ARD personnel had collected blood samples for examination. As the samples tested positive for Anthrax it was decided that the cattle of the entire area would be vaccinated to stop spreading of the infectious disease.

 

On the otherhand, a joint commissioner of Union animal resources development department, Dr S Negi arrived here this afternoon from New Delhi to review the situation that have arisen following bird flu and anthrax outbreak. He is also to supervise the mop up drive that is going on after completion of culling drive in the villages from where the avian flu cases were reported, according to the Cooch Behar ADM (D) Mr Pannalal Mahapatra. The joint commissioner will visit all the bird flu affected villages in Dinhata-I, Dinhata-II and Mathabhanga-I blocks and also the anthrax-affected village in Mathabhanga-II block.

 

Meanwhile, the quarantined members of the culling teams are getting aggrieved. Many of them alleged that the administration failed to arrange adequate food or basic amenities for them though they did a tremendous job during the recently concluded culling drive. In this shivering winter it is hard to live isolated away from home without proper beddings, they said. When inquired about the allegation, the ADM (D) Mr Mahapatra said arrangements being made to handover food tokens to the quarantined persons and better bedding facilities from today. []

Trainee teachers' on war path

 

COOCH BEHAR, Feb. 5: Members of All Bengal Primary Teachers' Trainee Association (ABPTTA) will organise demonstrations throughout the state from tomorrow. They are to demonstrate demanding amicable solution of the stalemate that is going on since 2006 related to the fate of trained candidates and trainees.

 

President of ABPTTA Mr Bhajan Barman said 122 Primary Teachers' Training Institutes (PTTI) of this state were declared illegal by an order of the High Court on 6 March 2006. Following that order the fate of trained candidates upto 2005 turned uncertain. The final examination of the 2005-2006 academic session was also held up for indefinite period. As a result the future of about 75,000 trainees became uncertain, he alleged.

 

Since passing of the order the ABPTTA organised several movements including sit-ins and hunger strikes in different districts but nothing happened till now to end their plight. The state government too took no initiative to untie the knots at the court. At last, they decided to launch a massive movement from tomorrow, Mr Barman said.

 

Mr Barman said as a part of their movement they would organise a sit-in in front of the office of the district primary school council (DPSC) at Cooch Behar tomorrow and stall functioning of the office till their demands were met with a positive solution. []

15 injured during mop up drive    

 

COOCH BEHAR, Feb. 4: About fifteen persons were injured when a spraying machine burst off during the mop up drive at Mathabhanga-I block this evening. It was learnt that spraying with caustic soda was going on at Mahishchoru village under Kursamari Gram Panchayat in Mathabhanga-I block to disinfect the area as a preventive measure to stop spreading of bird flu virus. During the spraying a machine suddenly exploded and its operator, a few other members of the mopping team and some locals injured. A boy, Asrabul Haq (10) was sent to hospital with eye injury. Confirming the incident, Mathabhanga-I BDO Mr Rajendra Sundas said they are yet to ascertain the reasons why the burst occurred. []

Anthrax vaccination drive starts

 

COOCH BEHAR, Feb. 4: Blood samples taken from the cows that were died on Friday night at Bhojaner-chhara village in Mathabhanga-II block tested anthrax positive. Animal resources development department officials announced that vaccination drive was initiated from today to stop spreading of the disease among the cattle of the area. The vaccination drive will be conducted in all the villages adjacent to Bhojaner-chhara village.

 

It may be recalled here that sudden death of six cows on Friday night fuelled anthrax fear at Bhojaner-chhara village under Nishiganj-I Gram Panchayat in Mathabhanga-I. On being informed the ARD personnel had collected blood samples for examination. As the samples tested positive of Anthrax the cattle of the entire area are being vaccinated to stop spreading of the infectious disease, an ARD official said. []

Culling declared completed in Cooch Behar

 

COOCH BEHAR, Feb. 4: The culling drive declared completed in Cooch Behar district. A fresh culling drive was held at Dinhata-I block yesterday and that marked the end of the drive. 1,632 birds were culled after unearthing those from hidings in the villages of that block yesterday according to the district magistrate Mr Rajesh Kumar Sinha.

 

The total number of culled birds in this district is 83,523 and total amount of compensation disbursed to the owners of the culled birds is Rs 26,49,970. Animal resources development department sources said fresh drive for culling of undisclosed chickens and other backyard birds may be conducted, if necessary, to combat the avian flu. In that case no compensation will be paid to the owners of the chickens.

 

Meanwhile, the officials are facing a peculiar problem almost everyday. According to government guidelines the members of the culling teams were asked not to go back to their houses. They should be kept quarantined for ten days. But, violating the instructions many of them are leaving without any notice everyday. The ARD officials have to bring them back everyday after convincing them of the need to be stayed quarantined, the DM admitted.

 

The district magistrate, Mr Sinha said the surveillance teams comprising of health workers were instructed to visit every household within the radius of three kilometres of affected areas for ten days. They were asked to report immediately if they get any patient suffering from fever with breathing problems. Such patients will be kept quarantined till confirmation of the disease they are suffering from. Replying a question he said there is no shortage of Tami-flu tablets in this district.

 

Mr Sinha said notice boards are being displayed at the places where the culled chickens were buried. By these boards villagers are being asked not to dug up the places or use the places for other purposes for five years. The plan behind it is to stop spreading of the bird flu virus, he explained.  

 

On the otherhand, the ARD teams are now engaged in disinfecting villages within the radius of three kilometres where culling drives were conducted. This drive will continue for ten days, ARD officials said. []

Bird flu : fresh culling drive in Dinhata

                     Anthrax fear in Mathabhanga

  

COOCH BEHAR, Feb. 3: Following instructions from Cooch Behar district administration a fresh culling drive was held in Dinhata today. It was held at a few selected villages of Gitaldaha-I, Gitaldaha-II and Okrabari Gram Panchayats under Dinhata-I and Dinhata-II blocks. Six specially deputed culling teams conducted the drive, the district magistrate of Cooch Behar Mr Rajesh Kumar Sinha said today.

 

It was learnt that culling operation was declared completed in Dinhata on 30 January but reports came to the administration that many birds were kept hidden by the owners to save those from being culled. Moreover, many greedy persons are reportedly bringing in chickens from outside of the affected areas against throwaway price to avail the privilege of the compensation package that was declared by the state government. In a bid to stop this dangerous trend the administration had to plan today's special drive.

 

To make the culling operation successful in Dinhata they took help of local NGOs to convince the villagers to co-operate with the culling teams and also for unearthing of the hidden birds, the DM said. Adequate police personnel were also deployed to maintain peace during the special drive, he said.

 

On the otherhand, culling was declared completed last night in Mathabhanga-I block. 32,299 birds were culled there and Rs 10,87,280 were disbursed as compensation to the villagers till last night.

 

Sudden death of five cows on Friday night fuelled anthrax fear at Nishiganj under Mathabhanga-I. Deputy director of Animal Resources Development department Dr Tapan Kumar Roy said they collected blood samples for examination. If the samples turn positive of Anthrax the cattle of the entire area will be vaccinated to stop spreading of the infectious disease, he assured.

 

Meanwhile, the Central observer Dr Vijay Kumar who came from New Delhi to monitor and supervise the bird flu situation in this district visited Jaridharla village in Dinhata yesterday. This village was the first in this district from where the samples were tested positive of bird flu virus. Dr Kumar inquired about the present situation of the village and preventive measures taken after completion of culling.

 

When asked about the recent spurt of ailment with cold and fever among the villagers in the bird flu affected areas the DM said the patients were examined and it was found that they have no symptoms similar to avian flu. The ongoing cold wave may be behind their illness, he said. At the same time he added that teams of health workers are visiting villages regularly to ensure that there are no cases of human infection of avian flu. []

Bird flu : fresh culling drive in Dinhata on Sunday

 

COOCH BEHAR, Feb. 2: Cooch Behar district administration ordered a fresh culling drive in Dinhata. It will be held at the selected villages in Dinhata-I and Dinhata-II blocks tomorrow. A few special culling teams are being prepared for the drive, the district magistrate of Cooch Behar Mr Rajesh Kumar Sinha said today.

 

It was learnt that culling operation was declared completed in Dinhata on 30 January but reports came to the administration that many birds were kept hidden by the owners to save those from being culled. Moreover, many greedy persons are reportedly bringing in chickens from outside of the affected area against throwaway price to avail the privilege of compensation that was declared by the state government. In a bid to stop the dangerous trend the administration had to plan the special drive.

 

The Cooch Behar DM said to make the culling operation successful in Dinhata tomorrow they are taking help of local NGOs to convince the villagers to co-operate with the culling teams and also for unearthing of the hidden birds. Adequate police personnel will also be deployed to maintain peace during the special drive, he said.

 

When asked about the recent spurt of cold and fever among the villagers in the affected areas the DM said the patients were examined and it was found that they have no symptoms similar to avian flu. The ongoing cold wave may be behind their illness, he said. At the same time he added that teams of health workers are visiting villages regularly to ensure that there are no cases of human infection of avian flu.

 

On the otherhand, culling is being done in villages of Mathabhanga-I block today too. 24,930 birds were culled till last night. Rs 8,37,540 were disbursed as compensation to the villagers till last night.

 

Meanwhile, body a dead kite found in the premises of the hostel of ABN Seal College in the town created sensation today. Officials of concerned department sent it for examination. []

 

Bird flu : Central observer visits border

 

COOCH BEHAR, Feb. 1: Today too, the culling drive is being held at Mathabhanga-I block. The Rapid Response Teams are trying to complete the culling of birds as early as possible but it may take a day or two more to declare completion. As the RRT men have to chase chickens in some of the villages in Mathabhanga-I block to catch them for culling the progress being delayed. 16,544 birds were culled in this block till last night. After completion of culling the mop up drive will be launched in those villages.

 

Meanwhile, the Central observer Dr Vijay Kumar who came from New Delhi to supervise and monitor the bird flu situation and the measures taken to combat spreading of the disease visited several affected areas in this district. He is trying to know the actual source of the virus that is from where it came from. Today, he visited bordering areas of Kuchlibari and Tinbigha in Mekhliganj sub-division. He also talked with officials of Border Security Force and inquired about the steps taken to stop illegal crossing of the Indo-Bangladesh border.

 

At Changrabandha Dr Kumar visited the International Check Post (ICP). Here he supervised the spraying of vehicles with disinfectants. As the vehicles come from Bangladesh they may carry the deadly virus of bird flu. It may be recalled here that soon after breaking out of the disease in different areas the district administration had ordered the spraying of incoming vehicles.

 

On the otherhand, Cooch Behar ADM (D) Mr Pannalal Mahapatra said formation of committees at district level and also in the three affected blocks is being done following the instruction of the chief minister. These committees will prepare lists of affected villagers whose birds died of the disease and also culled. The lists will be used to disburse compensation to the affected families. Not only the declared amount of Rs 500 per family will be distributed but also different schemes related to animal husbandry will be launched for their benefit, The ADM (D) said. []