HUNGER STRIKE

Hunger strike of ex-servicemen enters fourth day

 

COOCH BEHAR, July 10: The indefinite hunger strike of the ex-servicemen entered into its fourth day today. The members of the Cooch Behar District Ex-servicemen Association (CDEA) started the relay hunger strike from 7 July in support of their 12-point charter of demands at Shahid Baag in Cooch Behar.

 

Three veteran ex-servicemen who participated in the Second World War at different frontiers appeared today at the venue of the hunger strike and extended their support to the cause of the movement. They are Mr Bhupen Dey (87), Mr Shital Chandra Dutta (85) and Mr Nirmal Bhattacharya (88).

 

The secretary of the CDEA, Mr Tapan Choudhury said there were Sainik Boards in all districts except in Cooch Behar to look after the interests of the ex-servicemen. They were demanding formation of a Sainik Board in this district for the last ten years but no initiative was taken till now, he alleged.

 

Mr Choudhury said the ex-servicemen were facing hurdle everywhere. They are being deprived of many legitimate facilities. He demanded engagement of ex-servicemen as security personnel at the government hospitals and other government departments. In the primary school board they should get suitable jobs.

 

He demanded setting up of a defence colony by the government in Cooch Behar for the poor ex-servicemen. He alleged that they made an appeal to the authorities concerned in last March for issuing of a trade licence to run the proposed Prakton Sainik Co-operative Society but that licence is yet to be issued.

 

Mr Choudhury made it clear that their movement may take another dimension if the government fails to meet their demands immediately. []

 

PHOTO : Veteran Army men at the hunger strike venue at Shahid Baag in Cooch Behar on Thursday.