Archives for February 11, 2025

Staff Correspondent
Sri Vijaya Puram, Feb. 11: A shocking incident of assault took place in Burma Nallah, where a man and his wife were brutally attacked with an iron rod following a dispute over vegetables. The victims, identified as Bapan Ghosh (38) and his wife Sadhana Ghosh, sustained serious injuries and were rushed to G.B. Pant Hospital for treatment.
According to the statement recorded at PHC Garacharma, Bapan Ghosh, a private worker residing on rented land owned by Arun Sharma, was engaged in vegetable farming. His neighbor, Raja Malik, had reportedly been taking vegetables from him on multiple occasions. When Ghosh refused to provide vegetables for free, citing the cost of fertilizers and seeds, Malik allegedly became hostile.
On February 10, around 3 PM, while the couple was working in their field, Raja Malik allegedly confronted them and issued threats. When Ghosh stated that he would come later after finishing work, Malik allegedly responded with violent threats, stating he would kill them. As the situation escalated, Sadhana Ghosh questioned the reason for his anger, after which Malik allegedly struck her on the head with an iron rod, causing her to collapse on the ground. When Bapan Ghosh rushed to help his wife, he too was reportedly attacked twice on the head with the iron rod.
Seeing the couple severely injured, laborers present at the scene called an ambulance, and the victims were initially taken to PHC Garacharma, from where they were referred to G.B. Pant Hospital for advanced treatment. Sadhana Ghosh sustained 10 stitches on her head, while Bapan Ghosh received 9 stitches.
Later a formal police complaint was lodged at P.S. Pahargaon which resulted in the arrest of the accused. Further details are awaited.

Sri Vijayapuram, February 10: Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, the Member of Parliament, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, has strongly urged Mr. Amit Shah, the Home Minister of India to include MPs from Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep as Members or Special Invitees in the meetings of the Island Development Agency (IDA) to ensure effective representation of the islanders’ concerns.
Recalling the earlier structure under the Island Development Authority (IDA) which was chaired by the Prime Minister, MPs from these Union Territories were included as Members, allowing them to highlight important public interest issues for decision making and implementation. However, since the establishment of the Island Development Agency (IDA) in 2017 under the chairmanship of the Home Minister, MPs have been completely excluded from these crucial meetings, leading to a lack of direct representation in discussions that shape the future of the islands.
Despite several meetings and major decisions being taken by the IDA, many essential concerns beyond mega infrastructure projects remain unaddressed, raising widespread public concern. Given that Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep do not have a legislative assembly, the MPs are the only elected representatives of the people, making their involvement in these meetings imperative.
Further, while the Lt. Governor of A&N Islands serves as the Vice-Chairman of the IDA, there has been no pre-consultation with stakeholders or elected representatives before these meetings. This results in bureaucratic decision-making without incorporating ground level realities, leaving the genuine concerns of islanders unheard.
In light of the above and in the interest of strengthening democratic values, the MP has formally requested the Government to restore the participation of MPs in the IDA meetings either as Members or as Special Invitees. Such a step would ensure that the voices of the people of these Union Territories are effectively represented in important policy decisions.

Sri Vijaya Puram, Feb. 11: The APWD has earlier invited dependents of deceased Govt. Servant of APWD to submit their details in new format for compassionate appointment as per instructions laid down in MHA’s O.M No.A-12012/01/2022-Ad.II dated 17.06.2022 along with latest documents such as Annual Income Certificate, Unemployment Certificate and Property Certificate etc. through its various divisions in January 2023. Many candidates have resubmitted their applications in new format except few. Hence, it has been decided by the Committee that one last chance may be given to those candidates who have not resubmitted their fresh applications till date.
The fresh applications may be reached through their respective Divisions of APWD within 20 days from the date of issue of this press note, failing which, the same will be treated as Nil and no further correspondence will be entertained on this matter.