Leaders feel cut money protest heat

TT, 03 Jul 2019, Siliguri: Protests on cut money issue are continuing in different areas of north Bengal with BJP supporters and common people assembling in front of the houses of elected representatives of Trinamul in rural and urban bodies and leaders of the ruling party, demanding that their money be returned.

On Tuesday, at a village in Cooch Behar 1 block, local Trinamul leaders even returned around Rs 2 lakh to some people from whom they had taken cash while promising them benefits under social welfare schemes.

In South Dinajpur, some people, including local BJP supporters, demonstrated in front of the house of Bappa Singh, the Trinamul councillor of ward 2 of Buniadpur municipality on Monday night, and demanded that he refund their money.

Singh, they alleged, have taken money from them while assuring them of houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

"We had spoken to him on Sunday evening and he had assured us that he would refund our money. But as he took no initiative on Monday, some of us went and demonstrated in front of his home. He was not there," said a resident.

Sources said Biprabhat Sarkar, who is a BJP supporter, was returning home and allegedly attacked by the councillor. He was one of those who had stopped Singh on Sunday.

"Bappa Singh had taken money from many people and I was there in the protest. While I was on way home, he stopped and beat me. As I shouted for help, local people came and he fled," said Sarkar.

As the news spread, some people went to Singh's house and demonstrated. Police reached the spot and brought the situation under control.

The councillor, who is away from home, however, denied the charge. "Some people have raised fake charges against me for their own interests. I have not taken money from anybody," he said.

In Cooch Behar, Bhabesh Karji, a local Trinamul leader and husband of a panchayat member at Ghorghoria, a village located under Dauaguri panchayat of Cooch Behar 1 block, returned money to some villagers.

"They had taken money promising houses, toilets and work under 100-days-scheme. We have approached them some days back, and on Tuesday, he disbursed around two lakh rupees among 21 of us," said a resident.

In the district, protests over the same demand were seen at a village in Mathabhanga. Around 100 people walked to the house of Suresh Burman, a Trinamul leader in Boropinjrirjhar village while another group went to the house of Rekha Burman, a panchayat samiti member in the same locality.

They demonstrated and demanded immediate payment their money. Both have taken money while assuring that they would be included under social schemes, the residents said.

Also, in Gopalpur panchayat office under Cooch Behar­II block, BJP supporters demonstrated and submitted a memorandum. Those present at the office were asked to see that all those who have paid money to Trinamul members and leaders of the panchayat, are paid back.

In Jalpaiguri, BJP supporters demonstrated at the house of Gautam Basak, the Trinamul councillor of ward IV in Dhupguri municipality..