Bandh in Cooch Behar

 

COOCH BEHAR, Nov. 12: Barring some stray incidents today's bandh passed off almost peacefully in Cooch Behar district. Functioning of government offices, courts and banks were affected. All passenger vehicles even cycle-rickshaws were off the roads. Shops and other establishments were found closed.

 

A large number of Assam bound lorries were found stranded in Nilkuthi area in the town near National Highway-31. Apprehending trouble the railway authorities halted the newly resumed Alipurduar Junction-Bamanhat passenger train at New Cooch Behar railway station.

 

Congress, Trinamul Congress and BJP leaders claimed that the bandh was spontaneous and total in this district. District magistrate Mr Rajesh Kumar Sinha heaved a sigh of relief as the bandh passed off without any major untoward incident.

 

Eight persons were injured in clashes that occurred between Trinamul Congress and CPI-M supporters at Kurshamari and Premerdanga in Mathabhanga sub-division. Cooch Behar ASP Mr James Kujur said 101 pro-bandh men were arrested during the day. []

 

Special security demanded at Chakchaka

 

COOCH BEHAR, Nov. 12: Industrialists and entrepreneurs of this region demanded beefed up security measures at the Chakchaka Industrial Growth Centre (CIGC) in Cooch Behar. They submitted a proposal to the authorities concerned to arrange additional security at the complex. At present, twenty-nine production units are running at the CIGC complex and eleven more are on the pipeline to start production.

 

Following the proposal a team of police officials including DSP (Headquarter) Mr Swapan Kumar Das and IC of Kotowali police station Mr Rajib Bhattacharya visited the industrial complex a few days ago. They inquired about the requirement of additional security and talked with some of the owners of the production units that are running there. It was learnt that examining the report submitted by the inquiry team necessary measures might be taken to strengthen the security arrangement at CIGC complex.

 

When asked a senior official of Cooch Behar District Police said that at present there is no plan under consideration to set up a new police outpost at Chakchaka. At the same time he said that they are beefing up the security measures at the area. The proposal for establishment of a new outpost at Chakchaka may be considered in future if situation demands so, he added.

 

It was learnt from Cooch Behar District Police sources that there are six police personal only to look after the industrial complex. They are not engaged at a time that means two or three policemen are available to look after the vast area at a time. Pointing out this problem the secretary of Industrial Federation of Cooch Behar (IFC) Mr Depak Mundra said additional security is needed for the CIGC because the number of production units is increasing. Now, it is possible for any intruder or ill motivated person to enter this complex without permission because there is no boundary wall, he alleged.

 

As outsiders enter inside the complex that is situated at a long distance from Cooch Behar town, antisocial activities are increasing here. From this point of view the security measures should be strengthened, Mr Mundra said. He said a new police outpost is needed but if there is any difficulty in extending this facility at this moment the number of security personnel should be increased immediately.

 

IFC sources said a proposal was sent to the West Bengal Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (WBIIDC) and Cooch Behar Zilla Parishad (CZP) to arrange accommodation for the additional police personnel to be deployed. A senior police official said they might deploy additional policemen for security duty at Chakchaka if proper accommodation arranged. He however denied disclosing the number of additional policemen to be deployed at Chakchaka. []