ELECTION RESULT

CPM's defeat caused death of trader in Tufanganj

 

COOCH BEHAR, May 23: The CPI-M's defeat in two Panchayat Samitis in Tufanganj and in some Gram Panchayats especially in Andaran-Fulbari GP caused death of a shocked trader. As the deceased trader was the secretary of the local traders' body a trade bandh was observed in Tufanganj today. A strike of motor-vehicle workers will be observed tomorrow.

 

Robin Bhawal (52) was the secretary of Tufanganj Byabasayee Samiti. He was also a member of the CPI-M's Tufanganj town local committee. As a committed party worker he took up the responsibility of the campaigning drive in favour of the party's candidates in Andaran-Fulbari GP. Knowing the result of CPI-M's debacle he became upset on Wednesday night. On his way back from the counting centre at Tuganganj College to his residence at Ward no. 4 in the market area in the town he turned sick. At first he was shifted to Tufanganj sub-divisional hospital and later to a private hospital in Cooch Behar. On Thursday night he died there.

 

The deceased trader was the nephew of the chairman of Tufanganj Municipality, Mr Subhas Chandra Bhawal. As he was a cardiac patient he failed to take easily his party's defeat at Andaran-Fulbari GP and other areas, Mr Bhawal said. The funeral ceremony was performed on the bank of Raidak river today. The deceased left his wife and a daughter.

 

District CPI-M secretariat member and Natabari MLA, Md Tamser Ali said he heard that supporters of opposition parties had hurled sour comments to him when he was returning to his residence on Wednesday night. The shock of party's defeat and the harsh comments caused the cardiac attack that claimed Bhawal's life, the CPI-M leader opined.

 

Terming the death of Bhawal as unfortunate Trinamul Congress sources denied of throwing any abusive language to him on Wednesday night. []