KLO denies involvement in blast: ...Suspected KLO man held

SNS, The Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO) general secretary, Kailash Koch, who, in an earlier press release, had denied his outfit’s involvement in the recent blast at Paharpur in Jalpaiguri district, said in a fresh press release issued that his outfit had started ‘freedom struggle’ for liberating the land of Kamtapur from India.

Suspected KLO man held: The special police team arrested a suspected KLO activist, Dipak Roy on the charge of extortion from Manatadari on Tuesday. According to sources, two top KLO leaders ~ Tom Adhikary and Nilambar Rajbanshi ~ had recruited several persons for extortion and Roy was one of them. Police recovered donation coupons from his possession, it was informed.

A senior leader associated with Kampatur People’s Party (KPP) was arrested from Kharibari last night on charges of extortion.
The hardcore KPP activist has been identified as Dipankar Singha, a resident of a village in the Kharibari police station in Darjeeling district. Police claimed that Dipankar Singha was associated with the Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO). He was produced in Jalpaiguri court today.
A senior police official claimed that Mr Singha was a KPP district committee member and involved in extortion. Acting on a tip-off, a special police team which was formed specially to curb KLO and KPP menace, arrested him from his residence last night.
Sources said Dipankar Singha, during interrogation, confessed before police: “Some KLO activists are known to me.”
The KPP president, Mr Atul Roy, said it was a ploy on the part of the administration to malign the party. “It is the democratic right of everyone to go for movement for the separate state, demanding the recognition of language. Police arresting innocent people in the name of dealing with the KLO is creating confusion among the people,” Mr Roy said. Notably, after the Jalpaiguri blast police arrested one Chandan Roy, who was a former KLO militant, from Maynaguri village in Jalpaiguri in connection with the blast. Since then, police have arrested six KPP leaders till date. One from Cooch Behar, four from Malda and another one from Kharibari in Darjeeling were arrested. The Inspector general of police, north Bengal, Mr Shashikant Pujari said police would continue raids to nab KLO and KPP activists.

Kolkata, 31 December: Masterminds from other states were involved in the Jalpaiguri blast, North Bengal development minister Gautam Deb said today at Writers’ Buildings.

Mr Deb met with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at Nabanna and discussed several development issues concerning North Bengal. He said police have arrested the right culprits who were involved in the blast and they could provide detailed information regarding the masterminds of the blast.

“We will no longer tolerate subversive activities in North Bengal. The terrorist and subversive activities will be tackled with proper political administrative measures,” he said.

He said the home department is dealing with the issue and police are investigating the links of other states with the blast. He, however, denied commenting on the discussion he had  with Miss Banerjee regarding the bomb blast. Mr Deb also said that all the ministers of North Bengal would visit several remote areas and maintain contact with the local people to build better relationships.

Meanwhile, Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO) general secretary, Kailash Koch, who had earlier denied his outfit’s involvement in the Jalpaiguri blast, said in a fresh press release issued that his outfit had started a ‘freedom struggle’ for liberating Kamtapur from India.   

Security beefed up in Siliguri: The Siliguri Metropolitan police beefed security measures in Siliguri and, particularly, at the venues meant for holding the New Year Eve celebrations. The Siliguri additional deputy commissioner of police, East, K Sabari Rajkumar said adequate security arrangements have been made to maintain law and order.