I-Day observed

 

COOCH BEHAR, Aug. 16: The members of Lions Club of Cooch Behar (Greater) observed the Independence Day through different programmes in Cooch Behar. Beside cultural programmes they distributed sweets and fruits among the destitute boys and girls and elderly persons at different orphanage and old age home yesterday, according to the president of LCCG Ms Maya Chakraborty.

 

In Alipurduar, Netaji Subhas Birth Centenary Committee observed the day at the foot of the statue of Netaji. At Ward No. 11 an open-air stage named Nazrul Mancha was inaugurated. It was erected with financial assistance extended from the local area development fund of Alipurduar MLA Mr Nirmal Das. Members of Suryanagar Club too observed the Independence Day through plantation of saplings. []

 

Mamata's meeting at Sitalkuchi

 

COOCH BEHAR, Aug. 16: Trinamul Congress chief Miss Mamata Bannerjee will address a gathering at Sitalkuchi in Cooch Behar on 1 September.

 

District Trinamul Yuva Congress president Mr Shibendra Nath Roy said the gathering will be held to stage protest against the "forcible cremation" of a girl that was allegedly occurred at Dakshin Nalgram village of Sitalkuchi in Mathabhanga sub-division on 22 June. The 1 September gathering will be a mammoth one, Mr Roy hoped.

 

It may be recalled that Ms Sonali Guha (MLA), a close confidant of the firebrand leader Miss Mamata Bannerjee had visited Dakshin Nalgram village with other leaders of the party on 30 June. They had submitted a detailed report to Miss Bannerjee. It is believed that after reviewing that report she agreed to attend a protest rally at Sitalkuchi to demand high-level inquiry into the gruesome incident and arrest of all the seven accused that are stated to be CPI-M activists. []