2 weeks ago
Cooch Behar traders shut market over BJP leader's alleged extortion
Shopkeepers in a small market in India closed their shops and blocked a road to protest.
They say a local political leader named Prabhat Barman asked them for money and threatened them.
The shopkeepers say he wanted them to move two lakh rupees into his personal bank account.
They also say he asked for donations of 5,000 to 20,000 rupees for a religious event and a music program.
The leader says the money was for building a Shiva temple, not for himself.
He says all the accusations against him are baseless.
The police came and convinced the shopkeepers to clear the road after an hour.
The market, which has about 500 shops, will stay closed until the problem is solved.
A local lawmaker may meet the shopkeepers to help fix the situation.
Traders of Bamanhat market in Cooch Behar district kept their shops closed and staged a demonstration against alleged extortion by a local BJP leader and his associates.
Merchants lodged a complaint at the Sahebganj police station over alleged coercion, threats and pressure to pay donations.
Market committee secretary Santu Karmakar said pressure was exerted to transfer ₹2 lakh of old committee funds to a personal account.
BJP leaders allegedly demanded donations of ₹5,000 to ₹20,000 from traders for a Shiva Puja and 'baul' music programme held on August 10.
BJP leader Prabhat Barman said the money was sought for construction of a Shiva temple and called the allegations 'completely baseless', while a meeting with BJP MLA Ajay Ray is likely.
- Who
- Traders of Bamanhat market, BJP leader Prabhat Barman, market committee secretary Santu Karmakar, and BJP MLA of Dinhata Ajay Ray.
- What
- Traders staged a demonstration, blocked the Bamanhat-Chowdhurihat state highway and announced indefinite closure of the market over alleged extortion.
- Where
- Bamanhat market, Cooch Behar district.
- When
- Thursday, following a Shiva Puja and 'baul' music programme held at the market on August 10.
- Why
- Protest against alleged coercion, threats and demands for donations, including pressure to transfer ₹2 lakh of old committee funds to a personal account.
Traders' account
BJP leader's account
Demand for ₹2 lakh
Traders' account
Traders say pressure was exerted to transfer ₹2 lakh held by the old committee to a personal account, which they refused.
BJP leader's account
Barman says he asked for the money not for personal reasons but for construction of a Shiva temple at the market.
Donations and threats
Traders' account
Traders allege BJP members demanded donations of ₹5,000–₹20,000 and that Karmakar was threatened over the phone and in person.
BJP leader's account
Barman says the allegations against him are completely baseless.
Key facts
- Market
- Bamanhat market, Cooch Behar district
- Number of shops
- Around 500
- Alleged leader
- Prabhat Barman, local BJP leader
- Cash demand
- Transfer of ₹2 lakh from old committee funds to a personal account
- Donations demanded
- ₹5,000–₹20,000 per trader
- Events on August 10
- Shiva Puja and 'baul' music programme
- Highway blocked
- Bamanhat-Chowdhurihat state highway (blockade withdrawn after an hour)
- Status
- Market shut indefinitely; complaint lodged at Sahebganj police station; MLA meeting likely
Quotes
Santu Karmakar
Secretary of Bamanhat market committee
“"At that time, he (Barman) had retained the old committee’s account books. Now, pressure is being exerted on us to transfer ₹2 lakh, which was with the old committee, to a personal account, but we did not agree to the demand."”
telegraphindia.com
“"I had indeed asked for the money, but not for any personal reason. The money was sought for construction of a Shiva temple at the market. The allegations against me are completely baseless."”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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