Opposition parties in Siliguri demands immediate arrest of Gautam Deb

Opposition parties in Siliguri today demanded the immediate arrest of North Bengal Development Department minister Gautam Deb for allegedly roughing up two residents of Ramghat under Ward 5 of the Siliguri Municipal Corporation on Sunday during the foundation laying stone ceremony of a new electric crematorium.

Thousands of CPM and Congress supporters took out protest rallies across town calling for Deb’s immediate arrest. They also gheraoed the Siliguri police station and accused the police of failing to arrest the minister even after the two victims lodged an FIR. The supporters demanded the police officers present to take serious steps against Deb who is being accused of ill-treating Ramghat residents Mahananda Mondol and Subash Roy. The duo had on Sunday lodged a written complaint against the minister at the Siliguri police station, but said the officer on duty refused to give the GD number.

Congress leader Sudhin Bhowmik said the law should be equal for everyone and the police should take immediate action against the NBDD minister. CPM leader Jay Chakraborty said, “The minister should think twice before taking such rash steps against the public. Being a minister he should not act in such a manner. If the police do not take necessary action, we will launch a strong movement.”

Meanwhile, BJP Darjeeling district president Ratindranath Bose today visited Ramghat and listened to the residents’ grievances. He addressed the media at the Siliguri Journalists’ Club later in the evening. He said Deb should start his development works by taking the locals into confidence and not by hurting their sentiments. If the residents are not happy with the project, it should not be forced upon them, Bose added.

Source: EOI