PHOTO : Dr Md Fozle Hoque, Mr Amitava Chakraborty, Mr Biren Kundu and Mr Avijit Dey Bhaumik at the inauguration of membership drive of Youth Congress. In Cooch Behar on Friday.

Flood situation worsens in Cooch Behar

 

COOCH BEHAR, Sept. 7: The overall flood situation in Cooch Behar district worsened today. Water levels of all the rivers are increasing rapidly. Water of Mansai is flowing over Red danger level in Mathabhanga. Red signal flashed over Torsa and Jaldhaka too. Yellow signal was flashed over Raidak. The water levels of Gadadhar and Kaljani are showing an upward tendency.

 

A record rainfall of 300.20-mm was recorded at Tufanganj in the last 24-hours. Rainfall in Cooch Behar and Mathabhanga was 165-mm and 105-mm respectively during that period. Lower areas of Cooch Behar, Tufanganj and Mathabhanga towns are waterlogged. In Ward No. 10 in Tufanganj the citizens are using boats for conveyance.

 

The river water breached a 30-metre stretch of embankment of Kaljani at Khapaidanga in Cooch Behar-II block. The Kapalipara Primary School building is in danger of washing out. The river water submerged Arya Colony, Deuripara, Bhuchungmari and Mallikpara. The water of overflowed Torsa entered into Patlakhawa and Ambari. 13 Gram Panchayat areas in Tufanganj are affected. Rescue operation started in the flooded areas to save the people.

 

23 Gram Panchayat areas of three blocks in Mathabhanga were affected from the water of Mansai, Jaldhaka and Sutunga rivers. Floodwater is flowing over Mathabhanga-Siliguri road at Chenakata and Ichhaganj. The condition of the century-old road bridge over Sutunga is in danger. Vehicular traffic was prohibited over this bridge. Country boats were deployed to rescue the residents of waterlogged areas.

 

In Mekhliganj, the irrigation division personnel are still trying to save the breached embankment of Teesta at Kuchlibari. A large number of people at Nijtaraf and Tista-payosthi are affected as the overflowed Teesta waterlogged the area. The situation at Uchulpukuri and Jamaldaha is also worsened by water of Jaldhaka and Sutunga rivers. Gopalpur got disconnected as the Terenga damaged the lone road of the area. About 15,000 people were reportedly affected due to the flood situation in this area. BSF jawans jumped into rescue operation at the Indo-Bangladesh border area in Mekhliganj.

 

The flood situation is grave in Mathabhanga and Tufanganj sub-divisions. About 10,000 affected people were rescued and sent to relief camps and other safer places. District magistrate Mr Rajesh Kumar Sinha alerted all SDOs and BDOs to remain ready to meet the flood situation. State forest minister Mr Ananta Roy and state food and supply minister Mr Paresh Adhikary expressed their concern over the flood situation. They instructed the officials concerned to keep strict vigil over the situation. They also asked the officials to start rescue and relief operations as quickly as needed. []

AIYL's roadblock

 

COOCH BEHAR, Sept. 7: Cooch Behar district unit of All India Youth League observed roadblock programme at different places in Cooch Behar district today to stage protest against the Indo-US nuclear deal. They also burnt effigies of US President. At a street corner meeting held at Kachhari Morh in Cooch Behar leaders like district AIYL general secretary Mr Gopal Dey, Mr Tapan Sarkar and Mr Biplab Bose spoke against the imperialist role of USA. They also demanded resumption of immediate air service and naming of Cooch Behar Airport after the name of late Forward Bloc leader Kamal Guha. []

Roadblock against Adhir's arrest

YC membership drive begins

  

COOCH BEHAR, Sept. 7: State Youth Congress president Mr Amitava Chakraborty instructed all YC supporters and activists to observe demonstrations and roadblock programmes in the state against the arrest of Congress MP Mr Adhir Choudhury today. Accordingly the district YC supporters staged roadblock programmes at several places in Cooch Behar district.

 

The state YC president Mr Amitava Chakraborty and Mr Jayanta Das (PRO-INC) came here today to participate in the inauguration of the organisation's membership drive.

 

Sitai MLA and a senior Congress leader Dr Md Fozle Hoque and chairman of Cooch Behar Municipality Mr Biren Kundu inaugurated the membership drive at Mrinalini Hall near Station Choupathi today. Cooch Behar District Youth Congress president Mr Avijit Dey Bhaumik said during the ambitious drive they will try to recruit 3,000 active members and 30,000 primary members in this district. Members will be recruited from each of the 1904 booth areas in this district to strengthen the Youth Congress, Mr Dey Bhaumik said. Presidents and other office bearers of 13 block YC units attended the inauguration of membership drive programme today. []

 

Minister assures a new industrial growth centre in Cooch Behar

 

COOCH BEHAR, Sept. 7: State cottage and small-scale industries minister Mr Manabendra Mukherjee declared that a new industrial growth centre will be developed at Cooch Behar.

 

During a meeting at Cooch Behar today the minister said that the scheme for setting up a Jute Park at Cooch Behar has been sanctioned. He also declared that considering the importance of Cooch Behar for industrialisation and shortage of vacant plots at the existing Chakchaka Industrial Growth Centre (CIGC), the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC) would develop a new industrial growth centre in Cooch Behar district. The proposed growth centre may be developed jointly with interested private parties. Site selection process will be undertaken under war footing for both the Jute Park and the new growth centre. It may be mentioned here that West Bengal Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (WBIIDC) had developed the CGIC.

 

Secretary of Industrial Federation of Cooch Behar (IFC), Mr Depak Mundra welcomed the minister's announcement. The IFC representatives requested the minister to take initiative for immediate resumption of air service from Cooch Behar Airport and introduction of railway double line in this section of the NF Railway. The minister assured that he would take up the issues with the proper authorities, Mr Mundra said.

 

On behalf of IFC a memorandum was submitted to the state cottage and small-scale industries minister urging him to provide subsidy in energy charges and spare the CIGC from regular power cuts. The minister assured them that he would take the matter with the power department. Mr Mundra said they also made an appeal to the minister for speedy implementation of the already sanctioned Jute Park scheme.

 

During the meeting that was held at Cooch Behar Circuit House, minister of state Mr Narayan Biswas, Cooch Behar Zilla Parishad sabhadhipati Mr Jnanendra Chandra Chanda, district magistrate Mr Rajesh Kumar Sinha, ADM (D) Mr Pannalal Mahapatra and senior official of different departments were present. IFC termed the meeting as satisfactory. []

Treasury fire

  

COOCH BEHAR, Sept. 6: Fire broke out in the computer room of Treasury-I on the east bank of Sagardighi in Cooch Behar at about 12-15 noon today. The blaze damaged the Air Conditioner machine of the room. Fire service station sources said the fire might have broke out due to short circuit in the AC machine. Treasury sources said no large-scale damage was occurred due to the fire. []

Teachers felicitated

 

COOCH BEHAR, Sept. 6: Lions Club of Cooch Behar celebrated the Teachers' Day by felicitating two eminent teachers – Mr Kumud Ranjan Poddar and Ms Sulekha Chatterjee for their dedicated service to the society.  LCC vice-president Mr Depak Mundra said a cultural programme was also organised on the occasion on yesterday evening. Cooch Behar ADM (D) Mr Pannalal Mahapatra, Mrs Pratima Mahapatra and other dignitaries were present on the occasion. []

 

'Greater' case hearing

 

COOCH BEHAR, Sept. 6: The hearing of two cases against the activists of The Greater Cooch Behar People's Association was held at the court of the district and sessions judge, Ms Anindita Roy Saraswati inside Cooch Behar District Correctional Home today. The next hearing will be held on 11 September.

 

The lawyer of GCPA, Mr Shibendra Nath Roy said that three cases were running at the court against GCPA men. Two policemen were killed on 20 September 2005 at Chakchaka and an ASP was also murdered at the same venue on that date. Hearing of the first case was started on 3 July of this year. Hearing of the second case is yet to start. Another case related to the bid to set fire to the petrol pump at Khagrabari on the same day was started on 2 July. Mr Roy said they appealed to the court to frame charge of the first two cases jointly because the two incidents were occurred at the same venue and at the same time. Public Prosecutor Mr Ganesh Chandra Roy Karmakar opposed the plea. But, hearing all arguments the judge has fixed 11 September as the next date of hearing, Mr Roy said. []

Flood situation grave in Cooch Behar, one missing

 

COOCH BEHAR, Sept. 6: Water levels of Teesta, Kaljani and Mansai in Cooch Behar district are still flowing above the danger mark. Yellow signal was flashed over these rivers today lifting the Red signal.

 

In the afternoon, the additional district magistrate (development) Mr Pannalal Mahapatra said the water levels of Gadadhar and Kaljani rivers in Tufanganj are showing a rising trend. The situation might turn worse if the downpour continues, he opined.

 

In Mekhliganj sub-division, the Teesta breached about 90-metre of its embankment at Kuchlibari area. Yesterday the damage was about 30-metre only. To stop the river from approaching towards adjoining villages the irrigation division officials worked overnight. Sandbags, boulders and iron wire-nets are being used to stop erosion. About five thousand people of the area are suffering from fear. ADM (D) Mr Mahapatra said the BDO of the area was instructed to open relief camps for the affected people.

 

In Tufanganj, the river erosion is continuing unabated. No improvement of the situation was reported. Rise of water levels of Kaljani and Gadadhar is worsening the situation. Erosion is continuing in Ambari area too in Cooch Behar-II block.

 

On the otherhand, one Subhas Braman (36) was disappeared in the floodwater of Sutunga river in Mathabhanga sub-division today. The poor villager of Nayarhat was reportedly going to work under the 100-day job scheme. While he was swimming to cross the Sutunga river he suddenly went missing at the mid-river at about 11-30 a.m. Locals tried hard to rescue him but failed. Searching operation was going on till the evening but his body was not recovered.

 

Cooch Behar ADM (D) Mr Mahapatra said there were plenty of relief materials in this district to meet the flood situation. At the same time, expressing his concern over the situation he said if downpour continues at the upper catchment areas on Bhutan Hills the situation may turn grave. He admitted that no anti-erosion work is possible at this moment. Commencement of anti-erosion work may be possible only after the monsoon, he opined. []

Flood situation in Cooch Behar

 

COOCH BEHAR, Sept. 5: Following incessant downpour at the catchment areas and on the plains for the last few days the water levels of all the major rivers flowing through Cooch Behar district are on the rise. Water level of Mansai crossed danger mark in Mathabhanga. Yellow signal was imposed on Mansai along the unprotected areas beginning from Mathabhanga upto Indo-Bangladesh border. The water level is rapidly increasing towards Red level. Yellow signal was also posted on Raidak-I river in Tufanganj, Torsa in Cooch Behar and Teesta in Mekhliganj. The water levels of other rivers in Cooch Behar are still below the danger mark. But the situation may turn worse if the rain continues.

 

Meanwhile, the Teesta is trying to change its course in Mekhliganj sub-division. The overflowed river washed away about 30-metre stretch of an embankment at Kuchlibari.  State food and supply minister Mr Paresh Adhikary visited the area today with officials concerned and instructed starting of anti-erosion work to resist the river from approaching towards the village. He also asked officials to start rescue and relief operations. Sandbags and boulders are being used to stop erosion. The people of adjacent areas were alerted of the situation. Yellow signal was flashed over the river from Domohini of Jalpaiguri to Indo-Bangladesh border. Floodwater of Teesta submerged 25-Nijtaraf village and sandbank areas of Teesta Payasthi. Already eight hundred families were rescued from the affected areas and shifted to safer places. The officials of irrigation division and sub-divisional administration camped on the embankment of Teesta today to keep watch on the inflated Teesta.  

 

Visiting the affected area state food and supply minister Mr Paresh Adhikary said the swelled Teesta is trying to change its existing course. In that case two villages – Andaran Kuchlibari and Tista Payathi - may wash out forever. He assured that there would be no dearth of relief materials.

 

District Flood Control Room sources said that Cooch Behar recorded 124-mm rainfall in the past 24 hours. It is 2331.05-mm in this season. The rainfall in Tufanganj and Mathabhanga during the past 24 hours was recorded as 81.80-mm and 42.40-mm. Fresh erosion started at Saldanga, Ghonapara and other villages in Tufanganj, local sources said. []

 

Teachers' Day

 

COOCH BEHAR, Sept. 5: Joint Council of School Teachers and Employees observed the Teachers' Day in Cooch Behar today. They organised a convention on education at Maharaja Nripendra Narayan High School. District Teachers Welfare Committee too observed the Day at the conference hall of Cooch Behar Zilla Parishad today. []

GCDP demand

 

COOCH BEHAR, Sept. 4: Greater Cooch Behar Democratic Party (GCDP) demanded declaration of the birthday of Roysaheb Thakur Panchanan Barma as a government holiday to show respect to the great social reformer.

 

Submitting a memorandum to the additional district magistrate of Cooch Behar recently they demanded inclusion of the biography of Thakur Panchanan Barma in the curriculum of school and college. They also demanded naming of Cooch Behar Airport after the great hero Chilarai.

 

A senior GCDP leader said following the agreement signed between the then Maharaja of Cooch Behar State and Union of India the government of India is liable to all-out development of Cooch Behar. The government should take responsibility to erase out all problems of the people of Cooch Behar but in reality no such initiative was taken, he alleged.

 

It may be recalled here that a few days ago at a mass gathering that was held at Sitalkuchi the Trinamul Congress chief Miss Mamata Bannerjee too demanded taking over of Thakur Panchanan Barma's homestead and declare it as a National memorial. []

 

River erosion menace

 

COOCH BEHAR, Sept. 4: Cooch Behar District unit of Trinamul Youth Congress is planning an intensive movement to draw an end to the river erosion problem in different areas of this district.

 

River erosion is a round-the-year phenomenon in Cooch Behar district but no adequate measure was taken to save the lives and properties of the people from the menace, alleged district Trinamul Congress vice-president Mr Niranjan Dutta and district TYC president Mr Shibendra Nath Roy. On the otherhand, Cooch Behar Zilla Parishad Sabhadhipati Mr Jnanendra Chandra Chanda said that steps were taken at different places to arrest the erosion. A proposal was sent to Brahmaputra Board for a permanent measure, he added.

 

The worst affected villages that suffer river erosion round-the-year are in Cooch Behar-II block and Tufanganj and Mathabhanga sub-divisions. In Cooch Behar-II block Torsa river made residents panicky. In villages like Kaminirghat, Karisal, Jatrapur, Baro-Atharokotha and Damodarpur the river already gobbled up hundreds of acres of farmland and many homesteads. A few days ago Torsa grabbed the school building of Gaddarpar Fourth Plan Primary School. The aggrieved villagers are fuming due to lack of permanent measure to stop erosion. The opposition parties are planning to take the opportunity by turning the grievance of the villagers into votes against the ruling party.

 

The situation of Ambari, Kholta, Deocharai, Khapaidanga, Chilakhana and Chhatua are no better. Kaljani river took a disastrous role in many parts of Tufanganj sub-division. Mahiskuchi, Jaldhowa, Takuamari and adjoining villages are known as erosion prone ones. In Mathabhanga the rivers like Dharala, Sutunga and Jaldhaka are engaged in gobbling up lands and properties of local residents.

 

District TYC president Mr Shibendra Nath Roy alleged that the authorities concerned never took up the erosion menace seriously and so no permanent measure was taken to stop erosion till now. "We are going to organise a massive movement with flood and erosion affected people of Cooch Behar", he said. Gherao and sit-in programmes will be held soon to highlight the grave situation, he declared. District Trinamul Congress vice-president Mr Niranjan Dutta said they would extend all possible support to the TYC's movement. []

Sadbhavana Divas observed

 

COOCH BEHAR, Sept. 4: National Service Scheme (Unit-I and Unit-II) of Tufanganj Mahavidyalaya observed the Sadbhavana Divas at Tufanganj Community Hall yesterday. The NSS volunteers of the college sang NSS song. Programme officer, Prof KK Chatterjee, conducted the oath taking ceremony. Prof MM Sarkar, Mr Ajoy Bagchi, Mr B Talukdar, Mr S Dutta, Ms Ankita Mukherjee and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

 

Earlier, the NSS units of the college observed a fortnight long programme on Sadbhabana that ended yesterday. The NSS volunteers took out a rally in Tufanganj town on the occasion. The participants sang songs on national integration and carried posters to spread the message of Sadbhavana. []

 

PHOTO : NSS volunteers of Tufanganj College observe Sadbhavana Divas at Tufanganj in Cooch Behar on Monday.