TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Kolkata: On Sunday evening, it was the turn of those who stay alert 24X7 to give you the news, day after day, to be in the news themselves. Presented by the KKN Group, in association with Candid Communication, Journalism Awards 2009 paid tribute to the noble profession of journalism.
Veteran photojournalist Durgadas Chatterjee was given the lifetime achievement award for his contribution to journalism.
Journalism Award 2009 also awarded journalists and photojournalists in 18 categories, of which four was bagged by the Times Of India. Subhro Niyogi was declared winner in the feature (English) category, Subhro Maitra in district reporting, Nilesh Bhattacharya in Sports (English) while Sayantan Ghosh in the news photography section. In all, there were 13 nominees from TOI.
The award for general news in English, Bengali and Hindi went to Rajib Chakrabarty of The Statesman, Tapas Pramanik of Bartaman and Anand Kumar Singh of Prabhat Khabar. Prizes for feature section Bengali was won jointly by Mouli Misra of Sangbad Pratidin and Indranil Roy of Anandabazar Pratika while Archana Sharma of Sanmarg won it in the Hindi section.
Pratim Ranjan Bose of Hindu Business Line won the prize for business reporting. The award in lifestyle & cinema section in English and Bengali were given to Satarupa Bose of Hindustan Times and Gautam Bhattacharya of Anandabazar Patrika. The award for district reporting was won by Manas R Banerjee of The Statesman with Subhro Maitra of TOI.
In the photography section,
the award in the feature section went to to Debajyoti Chakraborty of Rashtriya Sahara; Swapan Mahapatra of PTI won for lifestyle. Subhendu Ghosh of Hindustan Times won in the sports section.
The panel of judges for the award included ace photographer Raghu Rai, film director Prabhat Roy, sport commentator Kishore Bhimani, veteran footballer Prasun Banerjee, industrialist Pawan Ruia, veteran journalist Manojit Mitra and Sudama Prasad Singh....published in TOI on 22.02.10
Monday, February 22, 2010
16 kids rescued at Malda station
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Malda: Sixteen children — aged between eight and 12 — were rescued at Malda station on Friday night while they were on their way to Uttar Pradesh to work as child labourers. One person was arrested in this connection.
The children are residents of villages like Rajaramchak under Gajole PS and Chator under Ratua PS. They said a resident of Chator, Samaul Ali, was taking them to Jainpur in UP to work as labourers. Samaul took them to Malda Town station on Friday and they were to board the Delhibound Farakka Express.
The train, however, was much behind schedule. Naturally, the children were waiting on the platform. Other passengers smelt a rat on seeing so many children together. The passengers informed English Bazaar police, who rushed to the spot and caught Samaul. The children were also rescued. On being interrogated, Samaul conceded that he was taking the kids to Jainpur for railway construction work.
One of the children, Morsalim, said he had been to other states earlier, too, to work as a labourer. “I have no option as I have lost my parents early. This time, I was told that I would be paid Rs 2,200 per month,” he said. Police suspect the contractor might have had other intentions as well.
They are now trying to contact the children’s families. However, not surprisingly, most of the children said they have no one to go home to or
that they are extremely poor.
Samaul was produced in court on Saturday and remanded in seven days’ police custody. “It is a shame for us that we have not been able to reach the basic facilities to all families so that children are not robbed of their childhood. I’ll certainly look into the mater and provide these kids all possible help to continue with their studies,” said SDO Prakash Pal......published in TOI on 21.02.10
Malda: Sixteen children — aged between eight and 12 — were rescued at Malda station on Friday night while they were on their way to Uttar Pradesh to work as child labourers. One person was arrested in this connection.
The children are residents of villages like Rajaramchak under Gajole PS and Chator under Ratua PS. They said a resident of Chator, Samaul Ali, was taking them to Jainpur in UP to work as labourers. Samaul took them to Malda Town station on Friday and they were to board the Delhibound Farakka Express.
The train, however, was much behind schedule. Naturally, the children were waiting on the platform. Other passengers smelt a rat on seeing so many children together. The passengers informed English Bazaar police, who rushed to the spot and caught Samaul. The children were also rescued. On being interrogated, Samaul conceded that he was taking the kids to Jainpur for railway construction work.
One of the children, Morsalim, said he had been to other states earlier, too, to work as a labourer. “I have no option as I have lost my parents early. This time, I was told that I would be paid Rs 2,200 per month,” he said. Police suspect the contractor might have had other intentions as well.
They are now trying to contact the children’s families. However, not surprisingly, most of the children said they have no one to go home to or
that they are extremely poor.
Samaul was produced in court on Saturday and remanded in seven days’ police custody. “It is a shame for us that we have not been able to reach the basic facilities to all families so that children are not robbed of their childhood. I’ll certainly look into the mater and provide these kids all possible help to continue with their studies,” said SDO Prakash Pal......published in TOI on 21.02.10
Friday, February 19, 2010
Woman tortured over 3rd daughter
Lodges Complaint Against In-Laws After Being Rescued By Neighbours
Subhro Maitra | TNN
Malda: Delivering a third girl child was crime enough for a man and his mother to start thrashing his wife regularly and even with a smouldering piece of wood. Even the newborn was not spared and singed with a bidi. At her tether’s end, Taslima finally lodged a complaint with police on Friday after being taken to hospital by neighbours.
Taslima of Moslempur village got married to Alam Sheikh, owner of a small shop in neighbouring Krishnapur village under English Bazaar PS, around five years ago. After two years of marriage, Taslima gave birth to a girl — Sabina, who is now four years old — but things were fine, she said. Even a second daughter — Rakeya, now two — kept Alam silent. But she did not know that he was hoping for better luck next time.
All hell broke loose when Taslima delivered the third girl child around 40 days back. Alam and his mother Malijan Bewa allegedly started beating up Taslima brutally. “Alam started pressuring my daughter to bring money from us to bring up the girls. We have little, but tried our best to satisfy them,” alleged Taslima’s mother Jahanara Begum.
“Since my third daughter’s birth, Alam began to torture me mentally and physically. He never even picked her up in his lap,” narrated Taslima. “On Thursday, things went to an extreme. I was cooking and my husband and mother-in-law started cursing me. I, too, reacted by saying that I’d leave the house. This infuriated them. My husband first singed my newborn with a bidi. When I rushed to save her, he struck me with a burning piece of wood.”
Taslima’s cries brought in neighbours like Nurul Islam and Ansarul Mandal, who informed her parents and took her to hospital. Islam confirmed that of late, Taslima was tortured by her in-laws. In hospital, too, Alam allegedly threatened Taslima with dire consequences if she dared open her mouth before police.
On the basis of Taslima’s complaint, police have registered cases against Alam, his brother and mother under sections 326, 307, 498A IPC, which includes attempt to murder by burning and torture on wife. Alam is absconding. Police sources said raids are on to nab him....published in TOI on 20.02.10
Subhro Maitra | TNN
Malda: Delivering a third girl child was crime enough for a man and his mother to start thrashing his wife regularly and even with a smouldering piece of wood. Even the newborn was not spared and singed with a bidi. At her tether’s end, Taslima finally lodged a complaint with police on Friday after being taken to hospital by neighbours.
Taslima of Moslempur village got married to Alam Sheikh, owner of a small shop in neighbouring Krishnapur village under English Bazaar PS, around five years ago. After two years of marriage, Taslima gave birth to a girl — Sabina, who is now four years old — but things were fine, she said. Even a second daughter — Rakeya, now two — kept Alam silent. But she did not know that he was hoping for better luck next time.
All hell broke loose when Taslima delivered the third girl child around 40 days back. Alam and his mother Malijan Bewa allegedly started beating up Taslima brutally. “Alam started pressuring my daughter to bring money from us to bring up the girls. We have little, but tried our best to satisfy them,” alleged Taslima’s mother Jahanara Begum.
“Since my third daughter’s birth, Alam began to torture me mentally and physically. He never even picked her up in his lap,” narrated Taslima. “On Thursday, things went to an extreme. I was cooking and my husband and mother-in-law started cursing me. I, too, reacted by saying that I’d leave the house. This infuriated them. My husband first singed my newborn with a bidi. When I rushed to save her, he struck me with a burning piece of wood.”
Taslima’s cries brought in neighbours like Nurul Islam and Ansarul Mandal, who informed her parents and took her to hospital. Islam confirmed that of late, Taslima was tortured by her in-laws. In hospital, too, Alam allegedly threatened Taslima with dire consequences if she dared open her mouth before police.
On the basis of Taslima’s complaint, police have registered cases against Alam, his brother and mother under sections 326, 307, 498A IPC, which includes attempt to murder by burning and torture on wife. Alam is absconding. Police sources said raids are on to nab him....published in TOI on 20.02.10
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Northeast children return after Chennai ordeal
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Malda: Seventy-six boys from the northeast, who had left home for Chennai in the hope of education, food and a better life two years ago, are on their way back. And they are not complaining. For, the life they got in Chennai was far removed from what they had been promised.
On Wednesday, the kids were given refreshments and food by local NGOs at Malda station. The boys were returning to their respective hometowns and villages in the northeast by the Chennai-Guwahati Express. Intervention by a government agency and an NGO has given these children a fresh lease of life.
More than 100 children — all belonging to the 6-12 age group — were taken to Chennai two years ago by an organisation whose details have not been disclosed by the authorities in Tamil Nadu. The kids were told that they would be put up at a children’s home and properly looked after. But the dream soon turned sour and the children had to cope with shabby living conditions, poor and irregular food, and no education. The hapless Uttams, Rajus and Roberts did not know where to go.
“We did not get regular meals or treatment when we fell ill,” said Uttam. A few months ago, a raid by the Child Welfare Committee of Tamil Nadu, along with NGO Campaign Against Child Labour (CACL), blew the lid off the kids’ condition. “The home did not provide basic facilities to the children and the government decided to close it down”, said CACL activist Amit Sanyal.
Accordingly, the children were rescued and arrangements made for their return. Some of the kids had reportedly fled earlier. However, Sanyal could not say whether the government took any legal action against the authorities of the children’s home.
Among the 76 children rescued, 24 are from Assam and 52 from Manipur. The kids will be handed over to police in the two states and sent home. “The government must take responsibility,” said Sanyal...published in TOI on 18.02.10
Malda: Seventy-six boys from the northeast, who had left home for Chennai in the hope of education, food and a better life two years ago, are on their way back. And they are not complaining. For, the life they got in Chennai was far removed from what they had been promised.
On Wednesday, the kids were given refreshments and food by local NGOs at Malda station. The boys were returning to their respective hometowns and villages in the northeast by the Chennai-Guwahati Express. Intervention by a government agency and an NGO has given these children a fresh lease of life.
More than 100 children — all belonging to the 6-12 age group — were taken to Chennai two years ago by an organisation whose details have not been disclosed by the authorities in Tamil Nadu. The kids were told that they would be put up at a children’s home and properly looked after. But the dream soon turned sour and the children had to cope with shabby living conditions, poor and irregular food, and no education. The hapless Uttams, Rajus and Roberts did not know where to go.
“We did not get regular meals or treatment when we fell ill,” said Uttam. A few months ago, a raid by the Child Welfare Committee of Tamil Nadu, along with NGO Campaign Against Child Labour (CACL), blew the lid off the kids’ condition. “The home did not provide basic facilities to the children and the government decided to close it down”, said CACL activist Amit Sanyal.
Accordingly, the children were rescued and arrangements made for their return. Some of the kids had reportedly fled earlier. However, Sanyal could not say whether the government took any legal action against the authorities of the children’s home.
Among the 76 children rescued, 24 are from Assam and 52 from Manipur. The kids will be handed over to police in the two states and sent home. “The government must take responsibility,” said Sanyal...published in TOI on 18.02.10
Police heat on illegal FM stations
RADIO ROW
Three Men Arrested In Malda
Subhro Maitra | TNN
Malda: The airwaves are free — and anyone with the technical knowhow can tap it. Happy with this knowledge, a band of ‘enterprising’ people in Malda and North Dinajpur have started illegal FM stations, dishing out popular songs all day. Though neither district has a single legal FM channel, there are at least 20 such radio stations operating only in Malda.
But the part-time RJs — who actually work as radio and cellphone mechanics — got a rude shock when three of them were arrested on Tuesday. Not only is permission from the information and broadcasting ministry necessary to run such stations, police were also worried that these illegal radio channels could be used by anti-national elements in these sensitive border districts.
An investigation was started after Malda district magistrate Sridhar Ghosh received a confidential report from the Chanchal SDO on these illegal FM channels. “I do not know how they are using frequency modulation without permission. I have urged the police to look into the matter,” the DM said.
A police raid on Tuesday led to two arrests and the seizure of electronic equipment from three radio stations in the Manikchak police station area. Another person was arrested from the Chanchal area. More raids are being carried out. “The crackdown will continue till the last one is brought to book,” said Malda additional SP Mr Kalyan Mukherjee.
The villagers though couldn’t care less about I&B strictures or security concerns. Residents of Bangitola, Chanchal, Manikchak and other areas were enjoying the service. “We are being able to hear some of our favourite songs. What’s wrong with it?” asked Kurban Ali of Bangitola.
“There is a growing demand, especially in the rural areas, for FM radio. As the district officially has no such station, local youths have started channels illegally,” acknowledged a senior police officer. Some of these channels even operate through the night. One of the operators got his trade license from the Englishbazaar Municipality. However, during the investigation, police found that he had actually got the licence for trading in electronic goods but later started using it for running the FM station.
Former information and broadcasting minister Priya Ranjan Das Munshi had laid the foundation stone for setting up an FM radio station in September 2008, but the project had gone into the freezer after his illness.....published in TOI on 12.02.10
Three Men Arrested In Malda
Subhro Maitra | TNN
Malda: The airwaves are free — and anyone with the technical knowhow can tap it. Happy with this knowledge, a band of ‘enterprising’ people in Malda and North Dinajpur have started illegal FM stations, dishing out popular songs all day. Though neither district has a single legal FM channel, there are at least 20 such radio stations operating only in Malda.
But the part-time RJs — who actually work as radio and cellphone mechanics — got a rude shock when three of them were arrested on Tuesday. Not only is permission from the information and broadcasting ministry necessary to run such stations, police were also worried that these illegal radio channels could be used by anti-national elements in these sensitive border districts.
An investigation was started after Malda district magistrate Sridhar Ghosh received a confidential report from the Chanchal SDO on these illegal FM channels. “I do not know how they are using frequency modulation without permission. I have urged the police to look into the matter,” the DM said.
A police raid on Tuesday led to two arrests and the seizure of electronic equipment from three radio stations in the Manikchak police station area. Another person was arrested from the Chanchal area. More raids are being carried out. “The crackdown will continue till the last one is brought to book,” said Malda additional SP Mr Kalyan Mukherjee.
The villagers though couldn’t care less about I&B strictures or security concerns. Residents of Bangitola, Chanchal, Manikchak and other areas were enjoying the service. “We are being able to hear some of our favourite songs. What’s wrong with it?” asked Kurban Ali of Bangitola.
“There is a growing demand, especially in the rural areas, for FM radio. As the district officially has no such station, local youths have started channels illegally,” acknowledged a senior police officer. Some of these channels even operate through the night. One of the operators got his trade license from the Englishbazaar Municipality. However, during the investigation, police found that he had actually got the licence for trading in electronic goods but later started using it for running the FM station.
Former information and broadcasting minister Priya Ranjan Das Munshi had laid the foundation stone for setting up an FM radio station in September 2008, but the project had gone into the freezer after his illness.....published in TOI on 12.02.10
20 killed as bus collides with lorry on NH-34
Subhro Maitra | TNN
Malda: Twenty people, including nine women and two children, were killed and 30 injured when the private bus they were travelling in collided head-on with a sand-laden lorry on NH-34 on Thursday afternoon.
The accident took place at Rahatpur under Karandighi police station in North Dinajpur district, around 40 km towards Siliguri from Raiganj town. Thirteen passengers of the Hili-Siliguri private bus died on the spot and another seven died later in hospitals.
Those who have been identified are Biwi Tariza (35) of Chakulia, Soumen Kundu (19) and Shyamal Kundu (50) of Hili in South Dinajpur, Kundo Rishi (14), Parameswar Sarkar (40), Sanjib Das (40) of Raiganj and Mina Saha (30) of Raiganj. North Dinajpur SP Milan Kanti Das said most of the victims are yet to be identified.
“From preliminary investigation, we came to know that both the lorry and the bus were moving at a high speed.” However, an intensive probe has been started. North Dinajpur DM Ramanuj Chakraborty also visited the spot.
The injured passengers were sent to Karandighi Gramin Hospital first and then to Raiganj District Hospital. Chairman of Raiganj Municipality, Mohit Sengupta, was among the first to rush to the hospital.
Mainul Hoque, a resident of Rahatpur and an eyewitness of the accident, said the bus was speeding. “When it reached Rahatpur, a cyclist suddenly appeared before the bus. The driver swerved right to save the cyclist and collided head on with the lorry,” he narrated.
One of the injured passengers, Uttam Barman, a resident of Koartore village in Hemtabad of North Dinajpur, said from Raiganj District Hospital: “I boarded the bus from Raiganj with my two-year-old daughter and was going to Islampur. The bus was moving at a high speed. When it reached Rahatpur, we felt the bus turn right. Then we heard a sound. I Immediately held my daughter tight. So, she escaped unhurt. But I was injured on the head.”
Malda: Twenty people, including nine women and two children, were killed and 30 injured when the private bus they were travelling in collided head-on with a sand-laden lorry on NH-34 on Thursday afternoon.
The accident took place at Rahatpur under Karandighi police station in North Dinajpur district, around 40 km towards Siliguri from Raiganj town. Thirteen passengers of the Hili-Siliguri private bus died on the spot and another seven died later in hospitals.
Those who have been identified are Biwi Tariza (35) of Chakulia, Soumen Kundu (19) and Shyamal Kundu (50) of Hili in South Dinajpur, Kundo Rishi (14), Parameswar Sarkar (40), Sanjib Das (40) of Raiganj and Mina Saha (30) of Raiganj. North Dinajpur SP Milan Kanti Das said most of the victims are yet to be identified.
“From preliminary investigation, we came to know that both the lorry and the bus were moving at a high speed.” However, an intensive probe has been started. North Dinajpur DM Ramanuj Chakraborty also visited the spot.
The injured passengers were sent to Karandighi Gramin Hospital first and then to Raiganj District Hospital. Chairman of Raiganj Municipality, Mohit Sengupta, was among the first to rush to the hospital.
Mainul Hoque, a resident of Rahatpur and an eyewitness of the accident, said the bus was speeding. “When it reached Rahatpur, a cyclist suddenly appeared before the bus. The driver swerved right to save the cyclist and collided head on with the lorry,” he narrated.
One of the injured passengers, Uttam Barman, a resident of Koartore village in Hemtabad of North Dinajpur, said from Raiganj District Hospital: “I boarded the bus from Raiganj with my two-year-old daughter and was going to Islampur. The bus was moving at a high speed. When it reached Rahatpur, we felt the bus turn right. Then we heard a sound. I Immediately held my daughter tight. So, she escaped unhurt. But I was injured on the head.”
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Malda Trinamool councillor ‘attacked’ by Congress MLA
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Malda: Congress and Trinamool Congress may be alliance partners, but an FIR has been lodged against a Congress legislator in Malda for allegedly attacking a Trinamool Congress councillor. MLA Krishnendu Choudhury along with his wife and hundreds of supporters allegedly attacked the house of Trinamool councillor of English Bazar municipality Santanu Saha on Thursday morning. In a bid to save Saha, Trinamool secretary Chhoton Moulik was injured. Even Trinamool district president Goutam Chakraborty was assaulted. Later, a large police force led by additional police superintendent Kalyan Mukherjee went to control the situation. “My son was attacked by the MLA and his associates. They tried to kill him. Choudhury also threatened that he would raze our house. Thanks to timely police intervention, my son’s life was saved,” said Santanu’s mother, Baby Saha, in a complaint lodged with English Bazar police. Moulik, who was hospitalized after being attacked, also lodged a similar complaint against Choudhury and two of his associates. Inspector-in-charge of English Bazaar police station Bipul Majumder acknowledged that police have received two complaints against Choudhury. Goutam Chakraborty said Saha was attacked because for the past few days, hundreds of Congress supporters were switching over to Trinamool under his initiative. “Our organization is growing. This has caused Choudhury to panic and lead the attack.” Saha, a former Choudhury loyalist, had recently switched allegiance to Trinamool. With Chakraborty being the new Trinamool district president, the party has begun to make its presence felt in the strong Congress bastion. Many leaders and workers of Congress in English Bazar and Old Malda have defected to Trinamool. However, Choudhury claimed there was no politics involved in the incident. He cited personal reasons behind it. “Saha has been making slanderous remarks against my family for quite some time. He was trying to malign me and my close associates. So, my supporters have decided to boycott him socially,” Choudhury said. Trinamool has started a campaign condemning Choudhury’s attack. Even district Congress leaders are not supporting him. “It is not proper to attack someone by going to his house and sending a wrong message to supporters,” said Narendra Tiwari, district Congress leader and chairman of English Bazaar municipality. Cong office set ablaze Malda: Four persons were severely injured after a Congress party office was set ablaze at Ashapur in Malda on Wednesday. Congress has blamed CPM for the attack, though CPM has denied the allegation. Sources said that the CPM-dominated union of van drivers was collecting ‘subscription’ for the last few days from all vehicles. The Congress panchayat pradhan, Mahababul Haque, reportedly protested against that. The attack took place after that. TNN
Malda: Congress and Trinamool Congress may be alliance partners, but an FIR has been lodged against a Congress legislator in Malda for allegedly attacking a Trinamool Congress councillor. MLA Krishnendu Choudhury along with his wife and hundreds of supporters allegedly attacked the house of Trinamool councillor of English Bazar municipality Santanu Saha on Thursday morning. In a bid to save Saha, Trinamool secretary Chhoton Moulik was injured. Even Trinamool district president Goutam Chakraborty was assaulted. Later, a large police force led by additional police superintendent Kalyan Mukherjee went to control the situation. “My son was attacked by the MLA and his associates. They tried to kill him. Choudhury also threatened that he would raze our house. Thanks to timely police intervention, my son’s life was saved,” said Santanu’s mother, Baby Saha, in a complaint lodged with English Bazar police. Moulik, who was hospitalized after being attacked, also lodged a similar complaint against Choudhury and two of his associates. Inspector-in-charge of English Bazaar police station Bipul Majumder acknowledged that police have received two complaints against Choudhury. Goutam Chakraborty said Saha was attacked because for the past few days, hundreds of Congress supporters were switching over to Trinamool under his initiative. “Our organization is growing. This has caused Choudhury to panic and lead the attack.” Saha, a former Choudhury loyalist, had recently switched allegiance to Trinamool. With Chakraborty being the new Trinamool district president, the party has begun to make its presence felt in the strong Congress bastion. Many leaders and workers of Congress in English Bazar and Old Malda have defected to Trinamool. However, Choudhury claimed there was no politics involved in the incident. He cited personal reasons behind it. “Saha has been making slanderous remarks against my family for quite some time. He was trying to malign me and my close associates. So, my supporters have decided to boycott him socially,” Choudhury said. Trinamool has started a campaign condemning Choudhury’s attack. Even district Congress leaders are not supporting him. “It is not proper to attack someone by going to his house and sending a wrong message to supporters,” said Narendra Tiwari, district Congress leader and chairman of English Bazaar municipality. Cong office set ablaze Malda: Four persons were severely injured after a Congress party office was set ablaze at Ashapur in Malda on Wednesday. Congress has blamed CPM for the attack, though CPM has denied the allegation. Sources said that the CPM-dominated union of van drivers was collecting ‘subscription’ for the last few days from all vehicles. The Congress panchayat pradhan, Mahababul Haque, reportedly protested against that. The attack took place after that. TNN
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