Teachers seek poll duty cover

KOUSIK SEN, TT, 31 Mar 2019, Raiganj: Over 50 teachers of a high madrasah located in Karandighi block of North Dinajpur have sent a letter to the district magistrate and have sought a written assurance that they would be provided with adequate security during their duty in booths at the upcoming Parliament elections or else have threatened not to join their duties.

They are from Rahatpur High Madrasah, the same institution that had lost Rajkumar Roy, one of its teachers, who died under mysterious circumstances while being on duty at a booth during the panchayat elections held on last year.

On May 14, 2018, Roy went missing from his booth at around 8pm. At around 11pm, his mutilated body was found near a rail track located around 30 kilometres away from the booth.

The incident sparked protests and prompted several residents, including teachers, to launch a movement, who accused that he has been murdered. The protests made the state to instruct CID to conduct a probe.

"All the teachers and even the non-teaching staff of our school are feeling intimidated as they will have to work again in the booths. We still don't know why our colleague died and that is why, we have held a meeting at the school and have decided to send a letter to the district magistrate. We want the superintendent of police to give us a written assurance that appropriate security will be provided to all of us who has been selected for duty in booths at the Parliament elections. If we do not get such assurance, none of us will report for the duty and is ready to face administrative steps," Shahidur Rahman, the headmaster, said.

A teacher of the school said that they still suspect that Roy has been murdered.

"In total, 56 teachers and non-teaching staff of the school will be in election duty. Each of us is feeling insecure and want the administration to act," he said.

In North Dinajpur, election for Raiganj Parliament seat would be held on April 18. There are 2,075 booths across the constituency where around 10,000 polling personnel would be deputed to conduct the elections, said sources.

Arvind Kumar Mina, the district magistrate, said they are making all necessary arrangements for the polling staff.

"Right from their security to healthcare, the administration is making all arrangements," he said. Mina declined comment on the letter.

A source in the administration however, said that if any government employee does not join the poll duty without proper reasons, steps can be taken against him.