1 hr ago
Alleged Extortion Threats Halt Waste Work in Dum Dum
Workers stopped processing waste at a dump yard in Dum Dum on Monday.
The stoppage affected waste from six municipal areas.
The company running the yard said a group threatened and attacked some employees.
The company said the group demanded jobs, money and control over some supplies.
Many workers were afraid to return to work after receiving phone calls.
BJP MLA Arijit Bakshi denied sending the group.
He said local people may have been protesting alleged illegal activities near the dump yard.
Police said they were checking CCTV footage as part of their examination.
Waste processing stopped Monday across six municipal areas after workers avoided a Dum Dum dump yard.
The agency owner alleged that a group linked to the BJP attacked employees and demanded money, jobs and control over supplies.
The group allegedly demanded monthly payments, staff appointments, dumpers, football sponsorship and construction-material contracts.
BJP MLA Arijit Bakshi denied involvement, saying local residents were protesting alleged anti-social activities at the dump yard.
Barrackpore Police Commissionerate said it was examining CCTV footage, while the agency owner alleged police initially refused to accept the complaint.
- Who
- The waste-processing agency, its employees, an alleged threatening group, BJP MLA Arijit Bakshi and the Barrackpore Police Commissionerate.
- What
- Waste clearance and processing work stopped after employees allegedly faced threats, violence and extortion demands.
- Where
- At a dump yard in Dum Dum, affecting six municipal areas; the employees were allegedly taken to a club near Deshbandhu School.
- When
- The alleged incident occurred Saturday evening, and workers stayed away from the dump yard on Monday.
- Why
- Workers reportedly feared further threats, while the agency owner said the group demanded jobs, payments and control over equipment and supplies.
Agency Owner's Allegations
MLA's Denial
Who was behind the incident?
Agency Owner's Allegations
Agency owner Sudhir Satnaliwala alleged that the men had been sent by local BJP MLA Arijit Bakshi and claimed they threatened and assaulted employees.
MLA's Denial
Bakshi denied sending the men and said none of those who visited the dump yard were from the BJP.
Reason for visiting the dump yard
Agency Owner's Allegations
The agency said the group came to impose demands involving employment, payments, vehicles, sponsorship and material supplies.
MLA's Denial
Bakshi said local residents may have gone there to protest alleged anti-social activities, including drug-related activity, and concerns about women's safety.
Police response
Agency Owner's Allegations
Satnaliwala alleged that local police initially refused to accept the complaint and acted after media reports emerged.
MLA's Denial
The Barrackpore Police Commissionerate said it had begun examining CCTV footage provided by the complainant and called employees to the police station.
Key facts
- Affected areas
- Six municipal areas
- Work stoppage
- Waste processing could not be carried out on Monday
- Workers present
- Only four to five employees reportedly turned up
- Reported demands
- Jobs for group members, staff dismissals, use of group-provided dumpers, monthly payments, football sponsorship and control of construction-material supplies
- Alleged violence
- The site-in-charge and site supervisor were allegedly beaten and taken to a nearby club
- Police action
- Police began examining CCTV footage supplied by the complainant
- Political response
- Dum Dum BJP MLA Arijit Bakshi denied involvement by the BJP
Quotes
Sudhir Satnaliwala
Owner of the agency contracted to process waste at the Dum Dum dump yard
““None of those who went to the dump yard were from the BJP. We all know that a lot of anti-social activities happen in the dump yard, including drugs. That is the reason why women feel unsafe crossing that stretch. Common people must have gone there to protest against these illegal activities. Nowadays, it has become a fashion to drag BJP into everything. We have nothing to do with this,””
telegraphindia.com
““The local MLA had sent these men who had been disturbing our employees. They went to our dump yard on Saturday evening and thrashed the site-in-charge and site supervisor,””
telegraphindia.com
Sources
Related news
AAP alleges Delhi Police kidnapped MLA amid sanitation worker protest
Extortion Threats Pressure Pune’s Expanding Industrial Ecosystem and Businesses
Police Search NDA MLA’s Home in Muzaffarpur Land Case
AAP MLA Detained During Worker’s Cremation as Protests Continue
KDMC Demolishes Unauthorised Nilje Market, Files Case Against Landowner
Kejriwal questions police over AAP MLA Kuldeep Kumar's detention
BJP Edges Congress by Less Than One Percent in Rajasthan Civic Polls
Kota Poll Results Delayed as EVM Glitches Trigger Re-Poll
Kumartuli Durga Idols Shrink Amid New Puja Restrictions
CPM Leader Challenges Civic Delimitation, Alleges Political Gerrymandering
