CM meets PM, gets airport project cleared

NEW DELHI, May 30: After a spat between the civil aviation ministry and the Planning Commission over delay in the modernisation of Kolkata airport, chief minister Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee today met the Prime Minister and asked the Centre to expedite the process. And within hours, the Public Investment Board cleared the Rs 2,000 crore Kolkata airport modernisation project. The CM-PM interaction also touched upon clearance for the proposal to set up a deep-sea port in Bengal for which clearance is pending. Later, Mr Bhattacharjee met Union home minister Mr Shivraj Patil and suggested that the legislation to grant Sixth Schedule status to the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council be put on hold for some time, following demands by several organisations including the GJMM.

Meanwhile, the CPI-M central committee today admitted that Left Front “disunity” in the recent panchayat elections had led to some reverses and wanted the state party unit to learn “lessons” from the experience. The party general secretary, Mr Prakash Karat, told reporters that despite the large “gang-up” of political parties and “communal forces,” the Left Front had done well in the polls.

But the “apprehensions about land acquisition” for industry had led to loss of support in some areas, he said. The plan for industrialisation must take this into account, the party leader said.  The state unit, he said, would carry out a detailed examination of the poll results in a month, and take remedial policy steps and organisational measures to overcome the shortcomings. [The Statesman]

Explosives seized near Nepal border

SILIGURI, May 30: A powerful explosive device connected with a timer was recovered last night from one Abbas Ali, a resident of Kamargunj, North Dinajpur district at the Mechi bridge near the Nepal border around 30 Km from Siliguri.  The Kharibari police and the Sashastra Seema Bal personnel nabbed the man at around 10 pm last night. According to the police, the explosive weighs around 2.5 Kgs. Four detonators and some raw material for producing four more bombs were also recovered from the arrested man’s person. The police are investigating into the findings and the nature of the explosive is yet to be ascertained. The arrested person is also being questioned.

The deputy superintendent of police Siliguri, Mr Pradip Dutta today said that Abbas Ali was heading for Nepal, crossing the Mechi Bridge. “He was coming from Islampur in North Dinajpur, though originally he is a resident of Kamargunj in the same district. The motive of carrying the time device into Nepal is not yet clear to us. An investigation is going on,” the DSP added.

The second officer in-charge, Kharibari police station Mr Chinmoy Bhattacharya said that the timer device was deposited at the Army Camp, Sukna and defused. The police are not yet certain whether the arrested person is linked with any Bangladesh-based terrorist outfit or not but are not ruling out the possibility.“The arrested man is perhaps a supplier of explosives. We are, however, keeping all angles open,” Mr Bhattacharya said. [The Statesman]

Opposition threatens to boycott SMC meets

Siliguri, May 30: All 11 Opposition councillors of the Siliguri Municipal Corporation have decided to boycott every meeting called by the civic authorities till the three demands they placed before the SMC chairman today are met.

The councillors, representing the Trinamul Congress, Congress and the BJP, have demanded that all SMC meetings, including the speeches made by the councillors, be recorded. They also wanted the details of expenditures in all 47 wards of the corporation from November 1, 2004 till date be made public.

The third demand seeks action against the ruling party members for their “objectionable and unruly behaviour” at a board meeting held in November 2006.

“We will first confine the agitation to the SMC. If there is no action even after that, we will hold meetings across the corporation area to make the people aware of what is going on in the SMC,” said Opposition leader Krishna Pal of Trinamul.

Tour agents to stop work today

Gangtok, May 30: Travel agents of Sikkim will suspend their business for 24 hours tomorrow to protest against the arrest of three of them in connection with a cheating case.

Two tour operators and a driver were arrested on Wednesday after a tourist couple filed a police complaint, accusing them of cheating.

The suspension of business by the operators means the tourists cannot go to Nathu-la on the India-China border and other restricted areas as permits required for visiting these places will not be handed over to them.

“All our members and those of the Sikkim Association of Adventure Tour Operators (SAATO) will stop selling permits and packages for various destinations,” S.K. Pradhan, the president of the Travel Agents’ Association of Sikkim (TAAS), told reporters today.

The TAAS and the SAATO are the two apex tour operators’ bodies in Sikkim.

“The decision to suspend business in the peak tourist season has been taken because of the constant humiliation being meted out to us,” Pradhan said. “Tourism is growing, but we need to address the problems sincerely. If we do not do it now, we will face them every day,” he added.

Request to probe bridge cave-in

Gangtok, May 30: The rural management and development department (RMDD) has asked the Sikkim government to set up an inquiry committee to probe the collapse of an under construction bridge that killed four labourers at Chenzey yesterday.

The dead have been identified as Latif Haq, Munna Haq, Kanu Urawu and Parimal Urawu. At least 25 workers were also injured when the scaffolding supporting the bridge gave way while a concrete slab was being cast. Rural management and development secretary Anil Ganeriwala said a departmental inquiry has been started. He said a proposal for an independent probe has been put before the government.

The divisional engineer (East) of the RMDD has registered a complaint against government contractor T. Lachungpa with Ranipul police station, accusing him of flouting guidelines laid down for constructing bridges in the hills. The police have registered cases under Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and Section 337 of the IPC. Lachungpa, too, had been injured.

Yesterday, the contractor had said that the scaffolding may have weakened after the soil below it loosened following heavy rainfall in the past few days.

Border arrest throws up explosives

Siliguri, May 30: A resident of Islampur has been caught with explosives and detonators at Panitanki on the border with Nepal. [Inset: Ali at the Kharibari police station. (Kundan Yolmo)]

The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has seized 350gm “high intensity” and 2.5kg “low intensity” explosives, four detonators and a wire to be used as fuse from Abbas Ali, who was handed over to Kharibari police this afternoon. The nature of the explosives is yet to be identified.

“Based on a tip-off, our intelligence wing caught Ali at Doodhgate in Panitanki, 40km from here, when he was trying to cross over to Nepal with his friend yesterday. The friend, however, escaped,” said Rajesh Tikku, the deputy commandant of the 22nd Battalion of the SSB’s Ranidanga sector headquarters, who was present at the police station.

The explosives were later handed over to the army at Bengdubi, where they were detonated.

Darjeeling to evict hawkers

Darjeeling, May 30: The Darjeeling Municipality has decided to start evicting hawkers from next week. [Inset: Shops along the Orient Line in Darjeeling. Picture by Suman Tamang]

“We have identified about 150 people who have put up wares on footpaths. Pedestrians are increasingly finding it difficult to walk through the town. We will not serve any notice on the hawkers as they do not have the permission to do business on footpaths. The drive to remove them will start next week,” said Dinesh Gurung, the vice-chairman of the civic body.

The municipality plans to clear the pavements along the roads in Orient Line. Gurung said even the hawkers in front of the G Building of the municipality would not be spared.

Morcha glad over CM’s bill stall plea

Darjeeling/Delhi, May 30: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha has welcomed Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee’s request to the Centre to stall the Sixth Schedule bill. This, however, has failed to clear the shadow of uncertainty that looms over the plains, where the party has decided to launch a hunger strike from June 2.  [Inset: Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee]

The fast is a protest against the Bengal government’s decision to deny the Morcha permission to hold a public meeting in the plains.

The party, while indicating, that Bhattacharjee’s request was expected maintained that it was more important to open a tripartite dialogue on Gorkhaland involving the Morcha, the state government and the Centre.

“The people of the hills have already rejected the Sixth Schedule status. Nevertheless we welcome the chief minister’s request to the Centre. However, the more important issue is to open a tripartite dialogue,” said Roshan Giri, the general secretary of the Morcha.

Although it was largely accepted that Union home minister Shivraj Patil would not press immediately for the passing of the Constitutional Amendment Bill for inclusion of the Darjeeling hills under the Sixth Schedule given Subash Ghisingh’s loss of popular support, the chief minister’s request is expected to boost the Morcha morale.

While at Kathmandu!

Governor visits Police Stations; returns back impressed - “Be people-friendly and remain aloof from corruption”

By NIRMAL MANGAR

GANGTOK, May 28: Governor Sudarshan Agarwal today made his debut visit to the Police Stations around Gangtok. “Amongst all my visits to various Police Stations all over India, I must say the Police Station in Sikkim is of the highest standard,” said the Governor while addressing the cops during his visit to Ranipool Police Station this morning.

Highly impressed with the maintenance of the Police station, Governor Agarwal said, the station seems not less than a model police station with all ultra modern facilities.  In his brief remark, the Governor directed the Police fraternity to be more truthful and honest towards their duty. He also urged them to be more people friendly and to remain aloof from corruption.

“I am proud that Sikkim Police has always kept its dignity high by doing their duty honestly,” he said. The Governor also suggested the Police to continue with their good works, which can make a good impression of Sikkim Police not only amongst the locals but also in the mind of the visitors.

Indian Idol blown away by Bhutanese reception

THIMPU, May 28: The show kicked off three hours late. Most chairs were empty. Tickets were expensive and one of the performers, Charu, missed her flight.  Despite all that, Prashant Tamang’s show in Thimphu, though not a roaring commercial success, went down well with the waiting audience. The third Indian idol’s first song of the evening, Jab se tere naina from the film Saavariya followed by Bhegay hoot teri from Murder was welcomed with whistling and cheers as the short and perky singing sensation set the Thimphu crowd dancing with old sentimental Nepali and hit Hindi songs.

The show went on till midnight as more people poured in after the organizers slashed ticket rates to a uniform Nu 100 from the earlier Nu 300, 500 and 700. Many chose to watch for free from nearby buildings and the flyover area opposite the concert arena. The response overwhelmed the singer. Speaking to Kuensel, the 25-year old said that he was apprehensive about how the show would be received. “It’s my first time performing in Bhutan. I never thought that the response would be this good. It was unexpected. I’m very happy.”

TAAS to frame a policy to curtail shortcomings in tourism

GANGTOK, May 28: The Travel Agents Association of Sikkim (TAAS) today held a meeting here at a local hotel to discuss various tourism related subjects and also to highlight on the prevailing trend of tourism in the State and its rapid development over the past years.

SK Pradhan, the president of TAAS emphasised on various problems that needs to be dealt instantly. To curtail bottlenecks and shortcomings despite boom in tourism industries in the State, Mr. Pradhan expressed concern over vehicle problems that have greatly affected the visitors as well as spoke on the problems relating to travel operator and traffic problems. The president also informed that a policy will soon be implemented to tackle the situation. “As compared to previous years, the flow of tourists has increased by 40 to 50 percent in the State, which is a positive sigh, he said.

Since tourism sector is the highest source of revenue many additional development is required in the field, Mr. Pradhan added.

The meet was also attended by other office bearers of the association including its vice president KT Bhutia and treasurer Lukendra Rasaily. [Sikkim Express]

India surveys Sikkim border area after China lays claim

GANGTOK, May 28: India was conducting a survey in an area of Sikkim over which China has recently laid claim.  According to news reports, Chief of Army Staff General Deepak Kapoor has confirmed that India was conducting a survey in the region. He said that the Indian Army, along with civil authorities, has undertaken a survey on its side in the region.

This is seen as India’s move to reaffirm its position over a tract of border area in Sikkim, referred to as ‘Finger Area’ and on which China has laid claim.  “We are carrying out such exercises in other places as well. But there is no problem between us and the other side,” the Army Chief told reporters in New Delhi on Tuesday, downplaying Chinese claims on the territory.

Referred to as the ‘Finger Area’ by the Indian armed forces, the 2.1 sq km territory falls in northern Sikkim and overlooks a strategically important valley known as the Sora Funnel. It contains several stone cairns, which are essentially heaps of stones that can be used for shelter.  The Indian stand assumes significance in the wake of External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee’s three-day visit to China starting June 4.

Uprooted tree disrupts traffic; Singtam residents comes to the rescue

Traffic was halted for nearly two hours when a tree was uprooted at Singtam, National Highway following torrential rains at 8pm today. The locality was completely blacked out with power lines smashed by the force of the tree. A Maruti Alto parked at the roadside was also damaged. With no government machinery or work force seen around, local residents showed their gusto by volunteering themselves to clear the road for the traffic. [Photo Sikkim Express]

NO Regrets

In Siliguri recently to participate in a musical soiree, the legendary Manna Dey underlines the need for guidance by a maestro. Parag Biswas reports

THE legendary Manna Dey believes that to learn music, apposite guidance from an efficient and learned music maestro is necessary to achieve success. The veteran playback singer, who was in Siliguri to participate in a musical soiree at the Siliguri Indoor stadium on 18 May, said he owed his successful career to his gurus. “I was extremely fortunate to have my youngest paternal uncle, Sangeetacharya KC Dey, as my first music teacher. He inspired me to learn music and take it up as a profession.”

The 85-year-old singer, who is arguably one of the best-trained male singers of Bollywood, has lived life with positive attitudes. He has been the winner of the first “Akshaya Samman” instituted by the Akshaya Mohanty Foundation, set up in memory of Orissa’s most popular musician and singer, the late Akshaya Mohanty. He says, “I have always set realistic targets in my life and therefore have been able to achieve them successfully. I have achieved certain goals in life and I’m left with no regrets. I am a very happy and contented person.”

Probodh Chandra Dey later became our beloved Manna da. He says, “ Success was a long laborious process for me. I have done it all my life and I am still doing it. I have never accepted defeat.” Many who cannot afford to understand classical music also adore his work; and highly appreciate his way of imparting training, discipline and hard work. He harbours no grudges for the fewer opportunities he has had compared to some of his contemporaries. He has worked with all legendary music composers of his time and admits that despite their willingness they could not gave him more opportunities due to several reasons.

Despite singing some soul-stirring numbers in his first movie Ram Rajya, he could not achieve much fame and recognition for several years. “In those days, it was customary to mention the name of the actor in the films and not the singer who sang for him,” he reconciles.

The prolific singer, who excels in a variety of genres of music has sung playful qawwalis, intricate raga-based songs and romantic ballads, attributes his success to his successful married life. He says that “though I have sung the song Ami Sri Sri Bhajahari Manna, I have always remained committed to my wife and family”. Says Dey, “You know why I stayed on in Mumbai? I met my wife Sulochana there, and now that we are celebrating 55 years of togetherness we don’t plan to change our base.”

The renowned singer’s face still lights up when he talks about his wife, who is a Malayali. “She has been my beacon. She changed the course of my life. She was doing her master’s in English Literature from Bombay University but she chose to marry me and look after me,” he chuckles. It’s worth appreciating that someone whose singing career has spanned over six decades is so humble and modest. When asked whether the Padma Bhushan had been bestowed on him too late, he smiles and says, “I am satisfied with what am bestowed with.”

ABTA threatens school closure

SILIGURI, May 29: The All Bengal Teachers’ Association, Darjeeling unit, launched a stir at the District Inspector of Schools’ office in Siliguri over several issues and threatened indefinite closure of schools in the town if its grievances were not redressed in four days. Giving details of the grievances, Mr Biswanath Dutta, the assistant secretary of ABTA, Darjeeling unit said that it is because of the DI of Schools Mr Riajul Islam that a number of teachers were not receiving their pension after retirement.

“Besides, many school teachers are not receiving salary for some months. The lack of work culture in the DI office is principally responsible for the mess,” Mr Dutta alleged. Citing the example of Shew Mangal HS School in Siliguri, the ABTA functionary said that despite the School Service Commission’s approval, certain school managing committee’s were not appointing some teachers and the DI office was doing nothing to pressurise the school committees to comply with the SSC instructions.

“As far as the issue of pending pension is concerned, the excuses being cited are flimsy and unacceptable. Our organisation has raised these issues with the DI and several times without avail. We have thus decided to organise a sit-in-demonstration for four days,” the ABTA functionary said. “If our demonstration yields no tangible result within the time period we would close down all the schools in Siliguri to draw the attention of the higher authority,” he said.

Lawyers to observe ceasework at court

SILIGURI, May 29: The Bar Association of Siliguri would observe an hour’s cease work at the Siliguri Court from 12 to 1 p.m. tomorrow in protest against an alleged misbehaviour by the sub-divisional officer, Siliguri, with some of the Bar Association of Siliguri members. Mr Ratan Bhowmik, the secretary, Siliguri Bar Association, alleged the sub divisional officer Mrs Smita Pandey had misbehaved with representatives of the Bar Association when they had protested against the seizure of a client’s vehicle by the motor vehicle officials.  “The motor vehicle officials seized a vehicle of a client who came to the Court premises on summons from the Court.

The motor vehicle officials refused to provide a seizure list on the plea that it was the SDO’s instruction not to give seizure list in the matter of unlawful parking in the high security zone area. “We then went to the SDO and she misbehaved with the lawyers,” Mr Bhowmik said.

June date for Loreto handover - Time to thank and bid farewell

By Vivek Chhetri

Darjeeling, May 29: It is farewell time for the Loreto Sisters who have decided to hand over the college run by them here to the Bengal government by June-end. [Inset: Loreto College, Darjeeling. Picture by Suman Tamang]

The authorities of the institution, which is owned by the government but was so long administered and managed by the Sisters through the Darjeeling Loreto Educational Society, have maintained that the decision to let go was taken because of a shortfall in manpower.

“The time to bid farewell and express our gratitude to the Darjeeling Loreto Educational Society has arrived. It is a day we never thought would come. Loreto has seen us through 47 glorious years. She has nurtured us, strengthened us, has instilled in us her vision, values and spirit,” reads a message that the staff-members of the college are sending to all well-wishers who want to attend the farewell programme on June 11.