Concern over safety of Bidhan Roy's statue

 

COOCH BEHAR, Jan. 3: Blazing of a picture of the first chief minister of West Bengal, Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy, by the supporters of Greater Cooch Behar Democratic Party (GCDP) sent shock waves to different sections of people. They expressed concern over safety of the statue of Dr Roy that is standing in front of Cooch Behar Municipality office building on the south bank of Sagar Dighi.

 

When asked about security measures to protect the statue, the additional superintendent of police Mr James Kujur said they might extend security cover if the authority concerned asks them for it.

 

Chairman of Cooch Behar Municipality Mr Biren Kundu said they installed the large sized statue of "Banglar Rupokar" about eight years ago. There are civic body's staffs to look after it. But in the perspective of the GCDP's movement the administration should take up the responsibility to protect it. "We will write to the district administration tomorrow to arrange adequate security to save the statue from any attack", he said.

 

On the otherhand, AICC member and a senior citizen of Cooch Behar, Mrs Sabita Roy said any special arrangement relating to the security of the statue of Dr Roy might encourage the agitators. It is better to ignore their childish act, she opined. They may not dare to do any harm to the statue, she believes.

 

When contacted, GCDP president and general secretary of Greater Kamta United Forum (GKUF) Mr Ashutosh Barma said their supporters had set fire to the picture of the then chief minister to stage protest against inclusion of erstwhile Cooch Behar State into West Bengal as a district only on 1 January 1950. "Dr Roy did it and so our supporters showed their anger by setting fire to his picture on 1 January this year. This was a symbolic protest only. We have no plan to damage the statue of Dr Roy", Mr Barma declared. []