Demonstration

 

COOCH BEHAR, Nov. 26: Trinamul Congress supporters observed a daylong sit-in in front of the office of the Tufanganj SDO today. They demonstrated against Nandigram violence and corrupt rationing system. Later, they submitted a memorandum containing 16-point charter of demands to the SDO. District Trinamul Congress president Mr Rabindra Nath Ghosh, vice-president Mr Niranjan Dutta and other leaders spoke on the occasion. []

 

Siddiqullah in Cooch Behar

 

COOCH BEHAR, Nov. 26: The Jamait Ulema-e-Hind supremo Md Siddiqullah Choudhury believes that the Nandigram issue brought an opportunity to make an alliance of Congress and Trinamul Congress. "If invited we are also ready to join the proposed alliance", he said. It is the high time to pull down the CPI-M from power in this state, he opined. A strong alliance of opposition forces can do the job successfully, he said. He also opined that presidential rule should be clamped in this state following the violent incidents of Nandigram and Singur.

 

The Jamait Ulema-e-Hind supremo came to Cooch Behar today to address a gathering at Nishiganj. Prior to that he addressed at an organisational workers' meet at a hotel in Cooch Behar town. In the gathering he came down heavily on the CPI-M and its autocratic role in this state.

 

Md Siddiqullah said that the recent violence that occurred in Kolkata over controversial writer Mrs Taslima Nasreen was public uproar against her anti-Islamic utterances. Without expressing his personal opinion over the issue he said that the governments at the Centre and also in this state should decide whether they would prefer a foreigner or the well being of the countrymen. []

 

2 BD infiltrators gunned down

 

COOCH BEHAR, Nov. 26: Border Security Force jawans gunned down two Bangdeshis at BS Bari border outpost area in Mekhliganj sub-division if Cooch Behar on yesterday night.

 

Cooch Behar SP Mr Anil Kumar said a gang of about twenty-five Bangladeshi nationals was trying to cross the international border through the barbed wire fencing at the area. BSF jawans on patrolling duty tried to stop them from entering into this side of the border but they denied going back. At last BSF had to open fire to disperse them. Two members of the gang including a teenaged boy were killed in the incident while others escaped. The killed two are yet to be identified. On behalf of the BSF their counterparts in Bangladesh were conveyed of the incident. The SP said an investigation was initiated into the incident. []  

 

PHOTO : A policeman guards age-old idols that displayed on the occasion of Raas Yatra. At Madan Mohan Temple complex in Cooch Behar.

 

Raas Mela

 

COOCH BEHAR, Nov. 26: The 195-year old Raas Mela of Cooch Behar began on Saturday but it is still to gain momentum. Many stalls are yet to be completed and furnished. As there is no arrangement of circus show this year at the fortnight long fair, the organisers are trying to compensate it by staging cultural extravaganza on every evening. The main attraction for the devotees and visitors is the Madan Mohan Temple. At the temple complex it is their sacred duty to whirl the Raas Chakra – at least once. The huge clay made statue of Putana Rakshashi is also attracting kids as it did in previous years. []

 

Silent rally

 

COOCH BEHAR, Nov. 26: Members of Progressive Students' Union organised a silent rally at Kalchini in Dooars today. They were protesting against the atrocities done on tribal students in Guwahati recently. After the rally they submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister through the officer-in-charge of Kalchini police station. They demanded security of tribal people in Assam, compensation to the victims and punishment of the persons involved in the atrocities done on the tribal people. Mr Ramkumar Lama, Mr Sudarshan Chhetry and Mr Bishnu Brahman led today's protest rally. A similar rally was also held at Hasimara today. []

 

Health training

 

COOCH BEHAR, Nov. 26: Indian Institute of Complementary Medicines observed its seventeenth anniversary at Bani Niketan Girls' High School premises at Harinchawra in Cooch Behar yesterday. A training programme on 'complementary health service' and a blood donation camp were also organised on the occasion. About two hundred rural practitioners participated in the training programme. Chief medical officer of health, Cooch Behar, Dr SK Shil inaugurated the programme. Dr Arunlal Sen, Dr Ujjwal Acharya, Dr Dayal Dey, Dr Jogen Mandal and Dr MK Baidya were present among the distinguished guests at the inaugural ceremony. []