Buddha faces fresh RSP attack

During the day,on which the Opposition Trinamool Congress and Congress initiated a motion in the Assembly,the RSP asserted that the people of West Bengal are ‘sitting on a heap of explosives’ and demanded an all-party meeting to discuss the issue. The Left party also took the state Government by surprise two weeks ago through its criticism of the police department for its handling of former Nanoor CPM MLA Ananda Das’s murder case. Incidentally,the police department is under Bhattacharjee’s personal supervision as he is in charge of the state Home portfolio.

On Friday,Congress Legislative Party (CLP) Leader Manas Bhuniya lambasted the government when Speaker Hashim Abdul Halim rejected a motion moved by another Congress MLA,Asit Mal,saying that large quantities of arms and ammunition are being imported to the state. “This has become a serious concern for all parties and individuals. This issue should be dealt with strong action by the administration,” the Congress opined.

“The administration is sitting silent despite several complaints and allegations. The recovery drive should be taken up immediately. If the police want the raids to be started with the houses of Opposition leaders,my doors are open. Let them come to my home and start search operations,” said Bhuniya.

“But the CPM leaders should also allow the police to enter their own houses and party offices. We are sure that many of the local CPM leaders are engaged in this trade,” he alleged.

Taking a cue from the Opposition,RSP leader and Left Front legislator Tapan Hore admitted that stockpiling of explosives and firearms have endangered peace,tranquility and normal life in the state. Clashes and violence are taking place almost every day in the state. But the police administration has failed to tackle the situation,he thundered.

“We are sitting on explosives. The situation will make the state vulnerable,” Hore added. “The Government should initiate an all-party meeting to address the problem,” he added.

Leader of the Opposition and senior state Trinamool leader Partho Chatterjee said that his party is worried about the huge stockpiling of arms and ammunition in CPM party offices. Last year in Khejuri,East Midnapore,villagers had recovered a huge quantity of indigenous firearms and explosives,he pointed out.

If the police conduct search operations across the state,it will be proved that the CPM has stockpiled arms for political purposes,Chatterjee claimed.

“For years these arms have been used on Opposition supporters and activists. We do not believe that the Left Front Government will initiate any recovery drive,” he added.

There are reports that arms and ammunition are being traded into the state through the Bangladesh border and Munger in Bihar. Criminals who have links with some political parties are engaged in the trade.

Other than the three Maoist-affected districts of Bankura,Purulia and West Midnapore,border districts like North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas,Nadia,Murshidabad and Malda have become vulnerable too. Arms are also being traded to Burdwan and Birbhum districts from Nadia and Murshidabad districts.

“This is evident. Wherever a political clash takes place,guns and firearms are used frequently by all political groups. This is a very difficult situation for the administration,” said a government source.

Also in the house Remarks on Mamata expunged

* Speaker H A Halim on Friday directed officials to expunge the name of the Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee from the proceedings of the House following a request from Leader of the Opposition Partha Chatterjee. Urging the Speaker to expunge her name,Chatterjee asked why ruling party members continued to raise it when Banerjee was neither present nor a member of the House. Describing it as against the rules of the House,Chatterjee asked the Speaker to stop the practice immediately.

More incentives for inter-caste marriages

* The state has proposed to increase the incentives to couples opting for inter-caste marriages from Rs 5,000 per couple at present to Rs 30,000. Replying to the debate on budgetary demands,Minister for Backward Classes Welfare Jogesh Chandra Burman said the government had requested the Centre to bear 50 per cent of the enhanced amount. He said at present 3,000 applications for incentives were pending before his department,as the state was awaiting a Centre’s reply for increasing the grant. Burman,later,said there was no case of honour killing in the state.

‘Preparation of revised BPL list on hold’

* The preparation of revised BPL lists has been put on hold following an interim order by the Calcutta High Court. This was stated by Food and Supply Minister Paresh Adhikari on Friday. The interim order came when the state government had made a lot of progress and distributed family ration cards on its basis,Adhikari said.

PTI