OPINION: Hitting at one’s own roots

THE HIMALAYAN BEACON
BY ASHOK CHAURASIA

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BLOGGING NEWS: Bangalore’s children immersed in digital world – 66 per cent of high school students claim they blog

FROM THE HINDU

NEWS SHARED BY AARDEE

Bangalore: Children growing up in India’s IT capital prefer to spend their free time blogging, scrapping on to social networking sites or listening to music on their iPods, than reading a newspaper.

This is one of the many trends charted by the “Generation Web 2.0 Survey”, conducted across the nation by Tata Consultancy Services, a leading IT firm, released on Wednesday. Most of these trends indicate that the academic and social lives of students are heavily linked to the digital world, particularly so in Bangalore.

This is not surprising, considering the city also stood first in terms of computer penetration, pegged at no less than 71 per cent in this sample.

The survey involved interviews with 14,000 high-school children, studying in English medium, across 12 metros and mini-metros in India.

No less than 66 per cent of high school children in Bangalore claim they blog, compared to the national average of 39 per cent. Blog entries revolve around their school life much like their counterparts in Hyderabad. This is an interesting contrast to children in Mumbai and Ahmedabad where celebrity or film gossip dominate their area of interests.

Among social networking sites, while Mumbai’s children have shifted base to Face Book, 47 per cent of those surveyed in Bangalore remain loyal to Orkut.

Further, about nine per cent of children in Bangalore are attracted to Secondlife, MySpace and Podcasting, another nation-wide high. Even in terms of listening to music, 91 per cent of Bangalore’s children prefer an iPod/digital music player.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Partnership for Progress

THE HIMALAYAN BEACON

SHARED BY AARDEE

Planning Commission of India invites all Voluntary Organizations / Non – Governmental Organizations to Sign Up on the NGO partnership System (NGO-PS) at

http://ngo.india.gov.in

This will enable you to :

• Get details of existing VOs / NGOs across India
• Get details of grant schmes of Key Ministries/Departments*
• Apply online for NGO grants**
• Track status of your applications for grants**

This is a free facility located in the Planning Commission in association with National Informatics Center to bring about greater partnership between government and the voluntary sector and foster better transparency, efficiency and accountability.

* Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Ministry of Women & Child Development, Department of Higher Education, Department of School Education & Literacy, Council for Advancement of People’s Action and Rural Technology (CAPART)

NEPAL: Nepal’s Hindi battle escalates

FROM THE PENINSULA NEWSPAPER – QATAR

Kathmandu: The battle over the use of Hindi for official work, that has pitted southern Nepal against the rest of the country, has escalated with embattled Vice President Parmananda Jha appealing to the nation to put fraternity and harmony above emotion.

The 65-year-old former Supreme Court judge, who became republican Nepal’s first vice president last year, made the appeal after rumours began circulating that he would be resigning to protest a court ruling that ordered him to take his oath of office and secrecy again, this time in Nepali.

The language furore started last year after Jha took his oath of office in Hindi.

It was not an isolated incident. Before him, newly elected members of parliament from the Terai plains had taken their oaths in the same language.

After Nepal was declared a federal republic, MPs from other indigenous communities also took their oath in their mother tongue.

However, an ultra-nationalistic lawyer, Balkrishna Neupane, filed a writ in court, saying since the vice president was a non-political figure, he should represent the entire country and not one community.

The lawyer urged Nepal’s Supreme Court to declare the Hindi oath unconstitutional and order Jha to take the oath in Nepali.

NEPAL: Maoist army should be ‘managed’, not integrated into NA – Gachchhadar

FROM NEPAL NEWS.COM

Speaking at a press conference in Kathmandu on Thursday, newly formed Madhesi Janadhikar Forum Nepal (Loktantrik) chairman and Deputy Prime Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar said that the Maoist army shouldn’t integrated into the Nepal Army, but they should be ‘managed’ in other security agencies and other areas.

SIKKIM: Thakarpa inaugurates Haemodialysis Unit at CRH

FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS

GANGTOK: State Health Minister DN Thakarpa today inaugurated the Haemodialysis Unit at the Central Referral Hospital, few kilometers from here.

This is the first such unit set up in the State for patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).

Mr. Thakarpa also inaugurated the Central Laboratory at the CRH today.

The Additional Chief Secretary TT Dorji, Vice Chancellor, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences, Brig Dr. SS Pabla, Secretary, State Health Department VB Pathak, Dean, SMIMS RN Salhan were also present on the occasion among others.

In his brief address, Mr. Thakarpa congratulated Sikkim Manipal University for being the pioneer in setting up the first dialysis unit in the State. “We are hopeful that the hospital will cater its services with full efficiency and competence,” the minister said.

He further suggested of having more nephrologists, oncologist, urologist and cardiologist at the CRH and said every activity of the CRH will be closely monitored by the State Government.

While informing that the newly inaugurated unit and the laboratory will function 24*7, the Dean SMIMS said more such units will be set up in the hospital.

SIKKIM: SDF counters MHA on LT issue ‘Centre has to show interest to State govt’s demand’

FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS

GANGTOK: The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) party has reacted strongly to the reported statements of Minister of State for Union Home Ministry who had blamed the SDF Government for the delay in the Assembly seat reservation issue of the Limboo and Tamang communities.

The SDF Government has never made any delay in submitting a formula in the seat reservation issue to the Centre, said the ruling front in a press statement.

“This is purely a Central issue and as such, the Centre has to show its interest to the demand made by the State government”, said the SDF. The State government has done whatever it can and within its powers in an honest manner and we appeal all not to create any confusion regarding the Limboo-Tamang seat reservation, the ruling front said.

The party reminded that it had gambled its government to deliver the Schedule Tribe recognition to the Limboo and Tamang communities.

SIKKIM: Dissent in BJP ranks in Darjeeling

FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS

DARJEELING: A murmur of dissent has been noticed among the Darjeeling BJP unit ranks with the former president GS Bomzan expressing his dissatisfaction over the reorganization drive.

The Darjeeling BJP is in the process to strengthen its base in the hills and had recently revamped its district committee with Dawa Sherpa being deputed as the convener.

Mr. Bomzan had termed the revamp as the conspiracy of the anti-Gorkhaland BJP leaders of West Bengal.

However, Mr. Sherpa said that the party remains committed to Gorkhaland and the Darjeeling BJP committee will work as per the directions of the party high command.

SIKKIM: “State Government should conduct detailed investigations against errant departments”- Accountant General

FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS

GANGTOK: Several Government Departments and Corporations in Sikkim have come under the scanner of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report this time.

Releasing the CAG report here today, the Accountant General, Sikkim Dinesh Bhagata said it is now up to the State Government to conduct detailed investigations against the errant departments and decide on the course of action against them.

This is for the second time that the report was released through a press conference held at the Lekha Pariksha Bhawan this evening after being tabled in the Assembly a few hours earlier.

The report also had six audit paragraphs and four performance reviews apart from comments on the Finance Accounts and Appropriation Accounts. This time, there is also a separate chapter on Integrated Audit of the Police Department.

The State Rural Management and Development Department for non-availing the excise duty concession on pipes has led to loss of Rs 2.50 crores.

Similarly, the report reveals that the lackadaisical approach of Human Resource Development Department to operationalize the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) in the State remained unachieved even after a lapse of 18 years.

SIKKIM: ‘8000 MW, ONLY WAY OUT’ – White paper recommends expeditious harnessing of 8000 MW hydro potential of Sikkim

FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS

GANGTOK, July 30: A voluminous white paper on hydropower resources of Sikkim tabled by the State Government in the State Assembly today has opined that Sikkim must expedite the development of its 8000 MW hydropower resources as the ‘only way out’ to meet the Millennium Developmental Goals set forth.

“The considered opinion emerging from the analysis of this report is that Sikkim must expedite the development of its hydropower resources at a faster pace. Utilize the hydropower revenue for the social, educational, economic and other developmental aspects of its people. That is the only way out, if Sikkim wants to lead other States in the country in speedy development and meeting the Millennium Developmental Goals set forth”, states the white paper tabled by State power minister Sonam Gyasto Lepcha on the concluding day of the budget session today in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly.

Prepared by Entecsol International, the 209 pages white paper in its executive summary said that the white paper on the development of hydropower resources of Sikkim is aimed at examining the State of economy, hydropower resources and the status of their development in Sikkim.

The white paper claims that it also examines the steps taken by the government for facilitating and expediting the development of its hydropower resources and the constraints, issues and challenges faced by the government in exploiting this resource. It evaluates the potential financial and economic benefits that Sikkim can harness from the development of its hydropower resources and exporting the surplus energy to other parts of the country.

Out of the total hydropower potential of Sikkim of 8000 MW, the total installed capacity as on March 31 this year is only 610.7 MW.

SIKKIM: ANNUAL BUDGET 09-10 PASSED We need to increase our revenue generation – CM

Rs. 828 crores project in government salaries this financial year

40 percent arrear to Govt employees with retrospective effect of Jan 1, 2006

FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS

Gangtok, July 30: Reiterating the need for increasing the State’s revenue, Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling today called for a ‘collective responsibility’ among all to cut down unnecessary expenditure even a major chunk of the State’s annual budget goes in paying salaries to Government employees.

In the last financial year alone, the State government had spent Rs. 514 crores in paying salaries which is a big burden for the State, said Mr. Chamling while presenting his vote of thanks on the concluding day of the budget session in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly.

Further, we are projecting that the sum in paying government salaries will increase this time due to paying of arrears and we are estimating that a sum of Rs. 828 crores will be spent this time in salaries, said Mr. Chamling. The House must take this seriously, he said. He also informed the House that provisions have been made to pay 40 percent arrear to the government employees with the retrospective date of January6 1, 2006.

We must balance the present rate of increase of government expenditure and salaries with a proportionate increase in the revenue generation besides instituting stringent policies towards curtailing non-plan expenditure and maintaining austerity measures in government expenditure, said the Chief Minister.

Only then we will have a sustainable economy or I fear that Sikkim will be like other States having a huge deficit, said Mr. Chamling. He also informed the House that Sikkim has only Rs. 86 crores as loans to pay. Sikkim has not become a loan defaulter and has this unique image in the nation, he added.

The Chief Minister said that the State government is already working on key revenue areas like hydro power, tourism and industries in the State.

SPORTS WATCH: Teams fly out for pre-season camps

FROM THE HINDU

KOLKATA: Mohun Bagan has joined I-League teams from the city, East Bengal and Chirag United SC, in organising a pre-season camp at an outstation location.

After attending the Mohun Bagan Day celebrations on Wednesday, the team flew to Kalimpong (a hill station near Darjeeling) for an eight-day camp under its Moroccan coach Karim Bencherifa on Thursday.

Catching on

The outstation pre-season camp idea has caught on with all the big football teams of the city.

East Bengal led the city teams in launching the pre-season camp. The East Bengal team is currently in temple-town Puri (Orissa) undergoing a three-week camp under coach Subhas Bhowmick.

Chirag United too has sent its team to Kalyani, an industrial township in Nadia district, under coach Subrata Bhattacharya.

Mohammedan Sporting would be doing two weeks of fitness training at Digha, the famous beach town in East Midnapore. Mohammedan Sporting, which is looking to regain its place in the I-League’s elite division, got coach Shabbir Ali to plan the logistics.

FACT UNIVERSAL TEEN PAGEANT: Finalist Lengshong Huang

Dear friends,

Greetings from Darjeeling! Lengshong Huang is born and bred in Kalimpong. Please do support her.

Regs

Barun

________________________________________________________

Name: Lengshong Huang

Date of Birth: 25th Feb 1994

Education : 10

State:Kalimpong, West Bengal

Height: 5.1/2

Hobbies: Dancing, Swimming, Shopping

Family: Parents And A Younger Brother

Personality: Affectionate, Self Dependant, Understanding, Jolly

Idol: Katrina Kaif

Philosophy of Life: Its A Big Challenge Which We Have To Face It

What do you do currently: Waiting For My Results

Passion: Swimming, Walking On The Ramp, And Talking

BENGAL: GJM pipes down, says yes to tripartite talks

FROM INDIAN EXPRESS

Kolkata: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) has agreed to participate in tripartite talks with the state government and the Centre at official level, instead of political level that was demanded earlier by the Morcha.

The GJM informed State Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen, who had sent a letter to them with the request, about their decision. “The talks will be held on official level and the Morcha has agreed to that. We are working on the agenda,” Sen told The Indian Express.

Sen will attend the meeting, to be held on August 11 in Delhi, along with Chief Secretary Asok Mohan Chakrabarti, Director General of Police Bhupinder Singh and other senior officials of the state.

He also said that the state government had no problem in discussing the issue of Gorkhaland at the talks. “We are going to attend the meeting with an open mind and anything can come up for discussion,” Sen added.

At present the situation is normal in Darjeeling as the GJM has relaxed the bandh till August 17.

Morcha leaders, meanwhile, have stuck to the demand that they would not settle for anything less than Gorkhaland. “We cannot settle for anything less than Gorkhaland. That is our commitment to the people of the hills. At present we are not indulging in any political activity. We will decide on our next course of action after the tripartite talks,” Roshan Giri, GJM publicity secretary, told The Indian Express.

NORTH EAST: Inclusion of 2 laning of NH-31 A and construction of a new 2-lane Highway in Mizoram to support Kaladan Multi Model Transit Transport Project of Myanmar in Phase ‘A’ of Special Accelerated Road Development Programme for North Eastern Region (SARDP-NE)

THE HIMALAYAN BEACON

NEW DELHI (PIB) The Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure approved the proposal to improve NH-31A from Sevoke to Ranipul to 2-lane standards on EPC basis under SARDP-NE with additional Budgetary Support of Rs.600 crore and also approved the proposal to construct a new 2-lane highway in Mizoram under SARDP-NE to support Kaladan Multi Model Transit Transport Project on EPC basis with Budgetary Support of Rs.680 core.

The improvement of NH 31 A will provide improved and uninterrupted connectivity to Gangtok, the capital town of Sikkim and the Highway in Mizoram will facilitate transportation of goods to/from Sittwe port in Myanmar.

NEPAL: Govt eyes choppers to tackle crime

FROM SOUTH ASIAN MEDIA NET

KATHMANDU: As part of the Special Security Plan phase II, the Home Ministry has initiated groundwork for purchasing a pair of helicopters for the police force to counter highly mobile criminals in the southern plains and eastern and mid-western hill districts.

Highly-placed sources at the ministry told Republica that they are looking into the feasibility of buying two helicopters, probably one Russian made MI 17 and a smaller one, maybe a six-seater.

“We have started looking into available options to buy two helicopters, but it will be for the second phase, which is likely to come into implementation after six months” said the sources, declining to elaborate. However, they hinted that the MI-17 might be one of the choices, given its affordability, past performance and suitability for Nepal´s difficult terrain.

Explaining the urgent need for helicopters for quelling escalating crime, particularly in the Tarai and remote hill districts, sources said helicopters are urgently needed not just for security patrolling in troubled parts of the country but also for handling rescue operations in times of calamity like floods, landslides and epidemics.

Though the demand for at least one helicopter for the police is a long-running one, this time they are really pushing hard for the resources to procure the choppers, said the sources.

When asked about the financial constraint on purchasing two helicopters, the sources said the Finance Ministry might be ready to provide the resources to procure one helicopter this year. “We are trying our level best to procure at least one helicopter, if two are not possible at one time.”

As per the initial plan, the helicopters will be managed by the Nepal Police and will be mobilized as per the needs of all three security agencies -Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and National Intelligence Department.

NEPAL: Diarrhea death toll crosses 200

FROM SOUTH ASIAN MEDIA NET

KATHMANDU: The Epidemiology and Disease Control Department (EDCD) under the Ministry of Health has officially said that the death toll by diarrhea spread in the mid-western and other districts has reached 204 by Wednesday.

Of that, 142 people died due to the epidemic in Jajarkot district alone. At least 38 people have died due to diarrhea in Rukum, six people in Dailekh, three each in Dolpa and Achham districts, two persons each in Bajura, Dadeldhura, Doti, Surkhet districts and one each in Rolpa, Salyan, Kanchanpur and Baitadi districts, said Minister of State for Health and Population, Khadka Bahadur Basyal Sarki at a meeting called by the parliamentary committee on International Relations and Human Rights.

He briefed the parliamentary committee it sought explanation over the diarrhea epidemic from the Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and Minister of State Basyal Sarki.

According to the report of the EDCD read out by the minister, the government has provided treatment to 26,990 people in 14 districts affected by the epidemic so far. The department has categorized Jajarkot and Rukum districts as extremely affected districts. Other affected districts are Dolpa, Rolpa, Salyan, Dailekh, Bajura, Dadeldhura, Doti, Surkhet, Kanchanpur, Pyuthan, Achham, Baitadi, Dhading and Kailali districts.

Altogether 29 doctors and 326 other health workers have been deployed in the diarrhea-hit districts and 70 health camps are in the areas. Also, a team of 40 Nepal Army (NA) personnel including two doctors, a team of eight Nepal Police including two doctors and a team of eight Armed Police Force (APF) including two APF doctors have been deployed in the areas. The health ministry has sent a team of 132 staffers and 22 doctors while one more team of seven persons including two doctors from other organizations also are in the affected areas.

The department said that the government has so far sent medicines worth Rs. 17.5 million in the areas.

In the meeting, Prime Minister Nepal urged other political party leaders to help the government in tackling the grave situation. He said the government is doing its best to stop the epidemic from further spreading and provide relief to the affected people.

BHUTAN: Two road accidents in Thimphu

FROM KUENSEL NEWSPAPER

BY TASHI DEMA

30 July, 2009 – With a four-inch stitch on his head, and his shoulder, fingers and legs all swollen, he mumbles and falls into a faint at frequent intervals.

Arjun Pradhan, 20, from Samtse, was among the three victims of the July 24 accident at Dechenchholing, Thimphu. Arjun and his two friends were on their way to Dechenphug, when a DCM truck ran over them.

Prakash Pradhan, the other survivor, told Kuensel that he saw the truck coming towards them when he looked behind. “A maruti van suddenly passed by and the DCM came towards us,” he recalled.

The neurosurgeon at the Thimphu referral hospital, Major Dr Tashi Tenzin, said that Arjun was brought to the hospital at around 5 pm in a serious condition. “His skull was broken and the bones were pushed inside the brain,” he said, adding that even brain tissues had come out.

Police investigation revealed that Yeshi Wangchuk, 21, who drove the DCM at time of the incident, did not have a driver’s license. Both the driver and Yeshi Wangchuk were detained.

Meanwhile, relatives of Arjun, who spent days in hospital and the police station, said they want compensation. “He’s the only son and won’t be able to work any more,” said his cousin, Dil Maya.

Dr Tashi Tenzin said that Arjun will not be paralysed, but will suffer from headache and epilepsy since his brain was damaged.

The penal code of Bhutan states that a court may order a defendant to pay appropriate compensation, at the rate of the daily minimum national wage rate at the time of the crime, for a maximum of 10 years, if the crime causes permanent disability to the victim.

DOOARS TERAI: ABAVP torches CPM leader’s house

FROM THE STATESMAN

JALPAIGURI, 30 JULY: The Akhil Bhartiya Adivasi Vikash Parishad (ABAVP) and CPI-M activists of Jaigaon have allegedly ransacked and torched a CPI-M member’s house last night at Jaigaon. A police car was also damaged.

Levelling the allegation, the CPI-M member of Jaigaon 1no Gram Panchayat, Mrs Golapi Oroan, a CPI-M member of Number I gram panchayat said that enraged by the changeover of the gram panchayat from the Left Front to the Congress as a result of a no-confidence motion put up by her and a RSP member, the CPI-M and the ABAVP activists had ransacked and torched her house.

Recounting the sequence of events, she said that the Left Front had been dislodged from the control of the GP board yesterday in consequence of a confidence vote tabled by a RSP member Mr Rinku Khati and heself on 1 July. “We put up the no-confidence against the GP pradhan Mrs Padma Das for her uninhibited indulgence in corruption and nepotism. The motion was put to vote yesterday and the Left Front board was dislodged. The Congress has formed the board,” she said.

“This has exasperated the CPI-M and the ABAVP activists. They have not accepted my challenge to rampant corruption. They have attacked and torched my residence rendering me destitute, “ she added.

Informed of the ransacking the Jaigaon police reached the spot. Burt the enraged activists damaged a police vehicle. According to the officer-in-charge, Mr Pradip Sarkar, Mrs Oaraon has filed an FIR. “We are trying to arrest the miscreants,” he said.

DARJEELING HILLS: Jaswant’s presence still iffy on 11 Aug

FROM THE STATESMAN

SILIGURI, 30 JULY: The member of Parliament from Darjeeling, Mr Jaswant Singh’s presence att the crucial tripartite talks slated for 11 August in New Delhi has not yet been confirmed. “We have not yet contacted him over the matter. Maybe, we would request him to be present during the dialogue in a day or two,” said the GJMM media and publicity secretary, Mr Harka Bahadur Chettri today.

Lauding the BJP’s clear-cut support to the long standing Gorkhaland cause, Mr Chettri said that the Gorkha people would remember the BJP’s role over this matter with grateful remembrance forever.

“We are gratified that the BJP members of the Parliament have raised the statehood issue forcefully many a time in course of the ongoing Budget session of the Parliament.

Unlike other parties which are indulging in mere equivocate posturing, the BJP propounds with cogency why a separate state is a paramount need for the long neglected populace of the Darjeeling Hills,” he said.

Calling Mr Jaswant Singh’s presence during the crucial rounds of dialogue an imperative, Mr Chettri said that his party would contact him at the right time.

“We are looking forward to some kind of a thaw in the icy cold stalemate during the talks,” Mr Chettri said.

SIKKIM: NREGS implementation wins praises

FROM THE STATESMAN

GANGTOK, 30 JULY: An independent evaluation study conducted by the Indian Institute of Management, Shillong (IIM-S), has rated the implementation of the NREGS in Sikkim as impressive in comparison to other parts of India.

The study, conducted on behalf of the Union ministry of rural development, Government of India, has reported that all Gram Panchayats in Sikkim have implemented this scheme and works are undertaken in all the 163 Panchayat units and 891 wards.

With the NREG Act having been passed in September 2005, the NREGS-Sikkim was implemented on February, 2006 in the North district in the First Phase, and in the First Phase from April 2007 in the South and East districts. The Third Phase began in April 2008 in the West district. During 2006-07 Sikkim received Rs 4.56 crore, in 2007-08 Rs 14.32 crore and in 2008-09 Rs 48.10 crore. It is also informed that till date, 69,798 job cards have been issued to the rural households of Sikkim, 40.76 lakh of person-days have been generated, 2,581 works have been taken up and 96,131 households were provided employment.

SILIGURI: NBGF refutes minister’s allegation

FROM THE STATESMAN

SILIGURI, 30 JULY: Refuting CPI-M leader and state urban development minister, Mr Ashok Bhattacharya’s allegation that the North Bengal Guardian’s Forum was becoming a political platform for the Opposition parties, the forum president, Mr Sandipan Bhattacharya today said: “Having failed to solve the problem, the minister is making such comments out of frustration.

The forum is an apolitical organisation protesting only against the unreasonable fee hike in English medium schools.”

The forum had approached social and political organisations for support in the movement, said the forum president.

“First we approached the minister, but he failed to deliver a positive result since the past three and half months,” he said adding that the minister was trying to introduce trouble in the forum.

According to the minister’s instruction, a committee, comprising the Jalpaiguri district magistrate, Ms Bandana Yadav and others, was formed to solve the problem. But the committee was dissolved, said the forum president.

“The forum is not affiliated to any political organisation. Anybody who gives priority to their children’s future is welcome to join the forum,” he added.

DOOARS TERAI: Attack after cross-voting in panchayat

FROM THE TELEGRAPH

Alipurduar, July 30: The house of a CPM gram panchayat member was ransacked allegedly by her party members who also beat up her three children after a no-confidence vote yesterday.

Golapi Oraon had voted in favour of the Congress, as did another RSP member and the Congress wrested the board of the Jaigaon I gram panchayat from the Left Front. Following the turn of events last evening, the mob attacked her house at Jaigaon, 60km from here. They also tried to set it on fire but failed. The children, aged between seven and 13, were slapped and kicked around by the attackers.

The mob also damaged a police jeep that had arrived at the spot from Jaigaon police station to bring the situation under control. Today Golapi filed an FIR.

“After the voting, I came to know that my house was under attack and my children were being tortured. My husband somehow managed to escape with the children. We spent last night in the house of a relative,” Golapi said. “I felt that the Congress deserved to run the board and I voted in its favour.”

Mohan Sharma, the president of the Kalchini block Congress, described the incident as unfortunate. “The CPM attacked the woman’s house and also damaged a police vehicle, I have told her not to worry,” Sharma said.

On the other hand, Mahendra Chhetri, the secretary of the CPM’s Jaigaon branch committee, said his party workers were not involved in the attack.

KURSEONG: Blockades for ‘misfire’ cop arrest

FROM THE TELEGRAPH

The blockade at the Kurseong Motor Stand on Thursday. Picture by Vivek Singh

Kurseong, July 30: Around hundred residents of Nayabazaar today split into two groups and staged separate road blockades simultaneously for the immediate arrest of a police sub-inspector, one of the five accused in the murder of a 27-year-old man of the area.

The protests at Motor Stand and Kurseong Tourist Lodge — the distance between the two places is around 500 metres — began at 4pm and ended one hour later.

Barun Sharma was killed at the house of his cousin Pratibha Pradhan in Nayabazaar on Monday night when the service revolver of Tezendra Ghalay, the sub-inspector of Kurseong police station, went off. Sharma had taken Ghalay, along with four constables, to the house when the men in khaki had asked for water. While all the constables were arrested and charged with murder, Ghalay is yet to be picked up.

“Ghalay is the prime accused in the case and has not been arrested yet. Beginning today, we will hamper traffic everyday till the officer is arrested,” said Krishna Singh, one of those who led the blockades.

Pramod Chhetri, another protester, said the duration of the blockades would increase by one hour everyday. He, however, refused to disclose at what time the protest would start everyday.

“We also demand that the probe be handed over to some other agency as the investigators and the accused belong to the same police station and there is always a possibility of bias,” said Chhetri.

DOOARS TERAI: Scat pointer to cat presence in Buxa

FROM THE TELEGRAPH

Alipurduar, July 30: The Buxa Tiger Reserve has at least 13 tigers according to DNA tests conducted on scat collected by the forest department and sent to the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).

The field director of the reserve, R.P. Saini, who returned after attending a workshop on tiger habitat management in Sariska, Rajasthan, said the report had been placed at the session.

The field directors of all Project Tiger reserves were present at the workshop that was attended by Union minister of state for environment and forests Jairam Ramesh.

“The report said the management of the Buxa Tiger Reserve was good, but the density of tigers is low. This year we plan to conduct an intensified census in the reserve so that we can record the sighting of the elusive Buxa tigers,” Saini said.

According to the field director, the reserve, which is spread over 761 square kilometres, can support tiger population up to 30.