DINHATA FIRING PROBE

Dinhata Police Firing : First phase of hearing ends

COOCH BEHAR, Feb. 16: The first phase of hearing of Justice Narayan C Sil Commission of Inquiry on Dinhata police firing ended today. The next phase of hearing will be held on 7, 8 and 9 March at Circuit House in Cooch Behar.

Commission sources said that the court adjourned today after fixing of the next dates of hearing by Justice Sil, the chairman of the Commission.

At the first phase of hearing that began on 14 February, six witnesses have been cross-examined. But, the Commission is yet to summon persons for the second phase of hearing. It may be announced from the Commission's Kolkata office, officials said.

It was learnt that cross-examination of a witness, Mr Kamal Chandra Barman was left incomplete yesterday. As there is a transport strike in Cooch Behar today an appeal was made to the Commission to complete the remaining part of cross-examination of Mr Barman during the next phase of hearing, said Forward Bloc leader Mr Shankar Dutta. The Justice Narayan C Sil Commission was constituted to do a judicial probe into the police firing that took place on 5 February last year in Dinhata during a law violation programme organised by the Forward Bloc.