WOMEN POWER

Forest Minister faces Trinamul women demonstration

State forest minister Mr Ananta Roy had to face demonstration at his own Assembly constituency (Mathabhanga) today. Police had to intervene and detain three agitators to control the situation. Women activists of the Trinamul Congress organised the demonstration. Later, they also demonstrated at the police station.

The minister went to attend a joint programme named 'Mathabhanga Sabujayan' (drive for a green Mathabhanga) organised by the forest division and Mathabhanga Municipality at Melar Math Mukta Mancha near Mathabhanga police station today. At about 11-30 a group of women supporters of the Trinamul Congress appeared there and started demonstrating against the minister. It went on for about an hour. During the agitation they threw off chairs of the pandal and also threw a Saree to the minister on the dais. At last, police resorted to lathi-charge to control the situation. Three agitators were also nabbed.

Demanding unconditional release of the nabbed three a demonstration was also held at the Mathabhanga police station.

District Trinamul Mahila Congress chairperson Ms Kalyani Poddar said Mr Ananta Roy got elected from Mathabhanga Assembly constituency but did nothing for the people of this constituency. In the recent Lok Sabha election the CPI-M failed to retain majority in Mathabhanga Constituency. Now, he has no right to represent Mathabhanga in the state Assembly.

Ms Poddar alleged that the peoples of Mathabhanga are suffering, as there was no bridge on Sutunga river for a long. Foundation for a new one was done about two years ago but the minister took no initiative to construct the much-awaited bridge. In the name of Sabujayan there is a plan to evict roadside traders from Shani Mandir to Madan Mohan Bari in the town, she alleged. "The people will not allow these anti-people policies for ever", she said.

Ms Poddar also said there was a plan to organise a Mamata Action Brigade in the district to fight against misrule of the CPI-M and anti-people policies of the authorities. Today's demonstration is a dress rehearsal of the proposed MAB.

Criticising the role of the police the forest minister said the police should have to stop the rally of the Trinamul supporters that was proceeding towards the Mukta Mancha. They failed to intervene quickly and so the pandemonium went on for an hour. Mr Roy said he conveyed the matter to the SP in Cooch Behar. Tomorrow, he will also tell it to the chief minister in Kolkata.

Cooch Behar SP Mr Devendra Prakash Singh said three persons were detained but later they have been released. He however denied of any incident of lathi-charge.