COOCHBEHAR TODAY

Trinamul complaint to EC against police official

COOCH BEHAR, April 3: The Trinamul Congress demanded removal of the sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) of Mathabhanga Mr Ananda Roy. They alleged that the SDPO was working under the diktat of the CPI-M leaders. Mr Roy however pleaded his ignorance to the allegation. The Trinamul Congress is going to submit a complaint to the Election Commission demanding the SDPO's removal as he was working with a partisan attitude, according to the party's district unit president Mr Rabi Ghosh.

A violent clash occurred at Sarkarer-hat village of Khalisamari gram panchayat under Sitalkuchi police station on Thursday evening. The trouble broke out when the supporters of both the CPI-M and the Trinamul Congress took out armed rallies in favour of the candidates concerned. Ten persons including a police official were injured during the clash.

Cooch Behar SP Mr DP Singh said today, no complaints were lodged by anyone so far over the incident that took place last evening. A large contingent of police force was sent to the spot to calm down the situation. The officer-in-charge of Sitalkuchi police station Mr Samar Das was among the injured, he said. Four injured persons were sent to hospital last night. 33 persons were arrested in connection with the clash and violation of Section 144 CrPC that was imposed recently against carrying of arms, he said.

It was learnt that supporters of political parties take out armed rallies regularly in different areas in the district violating the prohibitory order. A few days ago, on behalf of the Trinamul Congress a complaint was lodged to the SDO of Mathabhanga against the CPI-M but no steps was taken, alleged district Trinamul Congress president Mr Rabi Ghosh. Yesterday, both the parties took out armed rallies at Sarkarer-hat and the clash occurred.

Mr Ghosh alleged that the SDPO ordered action selectively against Trinamul supporters only. A number of innocent Trinamul supporters were arrested in connection with the violence, he said. 

When asked, the Cooch Behar SP said carrying of arms was prohibited by the administration by promulgating Section 144 CrPC. The police will take action against the offenders if any violation of the order found. The police will not wait for lodging of any complaint from any political party. It will act on its own, the SP said. 

 

Nomination

COOCH BEHAR, April 3: Trinamul Congress candidate for Cooch Behar Parliamentary constituency, Mr Arghya Roy Pradhan submitted his nomination papers today. The Congress also expressed its support to the candidate.