COOCH BEHAR, Aug. 30: Eighteen supporters of The Greater Cooch Behar Peoples’ Association (GCPA) including its general secretary Mr Bangshi Badan Barman were produced in the court of Cooch Behar District and Sessions Judge in connection with a case today. The acting-judge of the court ordered the next date of hearing as 27 September. 

The lawyer of the accused, Mr Shibendra Nath Roy said that 18 persons were produced today in the court. The case is connected with murder of police personnel at Khagrabari, he said. The violence took place on 20 September of last year during an agitation organised by the GCPA. Mr Roy said that they already made an appeal to the higher court against an order according to which trial of the GCPA cases will have to be conducted inside jail premises. [] 

Union minister visits Tinbigha 

COOCH BEHAR, Aug. 30: Union minister for home affairs, Mr S Regupathy visited the Tinbigha corridor in Mekhliganj today. He arrived by car from Siliguri accompanied by his private secretary Md Sakil Akhtar. Mekhliganj SDO Mr Gurudas Sarkar welcomed him on behalf of the district magistrate of Cooch Behar. Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Mathabhanga and senior officials of Border Security Force (BSF) were also present there. 

During the minister’s visit to the historic Tinbigha corridor senior BSF officials apprised him of the border situation of the area. Officials of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) welcomed Mr Regupathy and staged a guard-of-honour in their camp near the corridor. Mekhliganj SDO Mr Gurudas Sarkar was present with the minister all-along during the visit. After his 30-minit visit the minister left Tinbigha for Siliguri. [] 

Traders’ agitation in Tufanganj 

COOCH BEHAR, Aug. 30: Traders of Tufanganj observed a six-hour trade bandh today demanding conversion of Tufanganj market into a model market. They took out a large procession in Tufanganj town and submitted a memorandum to the Sub-divisional officer of Tufanganj. 

Secretary of Tufanganj Mahakuma Byabasayee Samity (TMBS), Mr Rabin Bhawal said that they submitted a 14-point charter of demands to the SDO. In the memorandum they demanded immediate repair and renovation of the damaged markets, roads and bridges in Tufanganj. They also demanded improvement of power supply and telephone facilities and speedy implementation of the proposed New Maynaguri –Jogighopa railway project. 

TMBS president Mr Nityendra Chandra Dey said that a blood bank is needed at Tufanganj for the suffering people. Improvement of healthcare facilities and raise of beds also required at the hospitals to better the situation, he added. 

In the memorandum the TMBS leaders demanded declaration of North Bengal as a tax-free zone like Sikkim and northeast states. They also demanded handing over the Tufanganj market to the Tufanganj Municipality to run it better. 

TMBS leaders declared that they would have to start a greater movement if the authorities fail to pay any heed to their justified demands. []