Strike in Cooch Behar

Two jewellers injured in attack

Jewellery shop owners observed a daylong strike in Cooch Behar on Wednesday in protest against attack of miscreants in which two of their fellow traders received serious injuries on Tuesday night. Police said three persons have been detained for interrogation in connection with the incident.

Members of the local jewellers' and gold traders' association said Mr Akhil Karmakar and his son Mr Dhananjay Karmakar were returning home after shutting down their jewellery shop at Biswa Singha Road on Tuesday night. They were in possession of two bags containing cash and jewelleries. At Palmtolla area adjacent to Madan Mohan temple at about 9-50 a gang of miscreants attacked them with sharp weapons. The rowdies also shot at the two men. The miscreants ran away with a bag leaving the two in a pool of blood. In a precarious condition they were shifted to MJN Hospital and later referred to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital. It is believed that the miscreants appeared and fled away riding motorbikes. 

The bullion traders and jewellers observed daylong trade bandh in Cooch Behar on Wednesday. They took out a protest rally in the town. They also submitted memorandums to the Cooch Behar DM and SP demanding immediate arrest of the miscreants.

Police said a probe has been initiated into the incident. Already they detained three persons in connection with the crime. Interrogation is going on to know the whereabouts of the miscreants, a senior police official said.

Submitting a memorandum to the Cooch Behar SP, the general secretary of the Cooch Behar District Merchants Chamber of Commerce Mr Rajendra Kumar Baid also demanded arrest and punishment of the culprits. He also demanded beefing up of police patrolling in the town prior to the ensuing pujas in the greater interest of safety of the members of the business community and the buyers. 

 

Workers' meet of the Janata Dal (United)

Empowerment of actual political power to the people of North Bengal, unconditional release of political prisoners, employment for the jobless youths, steps against corruption and price hike of essential commodities – these are some of the demands the Janata Dal (United) to highlight on the historic Quit India Movement Day at Bharat Sabha Hall in Kolkata.

JD (U) general secretary Mr Ashok Das said in Cooch Behar that on 9 August they will organise a workers' meet of the party on the occasion of the historic Quit India Movement Day. A large number of supporters are expected to attend the programme from Cooch Behar as well as from other North Bengal districts. State unit president of the JD (U) Mr Amitava Dutta would preside over the programme.

Mr Das said the 'Change the system not only the ruler' slogan is gaining popularity in North Bengal. With this slogan the JD (U) is coming up as a considerable force in this region. The people of this region are still suffering from backwardness and so they need proper empowerment, Mr Das said.