Siliguri, 23rd October: A stir arose in the area of ward no. 28 of the Siliguri Municipal Corporation last night when two women were assaulted over Kali Puja Chanda. The said incident has caused an uproar in the area. A complaint has been lodged at the police station after the incident.
Reportedly, like every year, Kali Puja has been organized by the Sarbojanin Sri Sri Durga Puja Committee of No. 1 Matangani Hazra Colony Committee, ward no. 28 in of Tikiyapara area. Funds are also being collected through collecting Chanda in the said area from the side of the committee. Meanwhile, Suresh Mahato, a resident of the area, has alleged that arbitrary donations are being collected by the Puja committee. Upon failing to give the sum the members of the committee physically assaulted him.
Suresh Mahato alleges that the worship committee has asked for a donation of ten thousand rupees. Two members of the Puja committee, Awadh Giri and Vijay Giri, beat up his elder son for not giving the said amount. When the family came forward to intervene during the assault, even the women were also abused and beaten up. At present three members of the family are under treatment in Siliguri District Hospital. A written complaint has also been lodged at the Siliguri police station regarding the incident, but no arrests have been made so far.
On the other hand, committee members Awadh Giri and Vijay Giri have termed Suresh Mahato’s allegation as frivolous. They stated that Suresh Mahato’s allegations are baseless and the donation copy that he is showing is from about three years ago.
On this subject, Ward Councilor Samprita Das said that she came to know about the said incident this morning. She went to the area today and talked to both sides about the whole incident and is further probing into the matter.