Writes : KOUSIK SEN :Raiganj, July 7: Residents of a village located on either side of NH34 in Itahar raised a four-hour long road blockade this morning, demanding immediate repair of the roads which connect the highway with their localities.
The move, they said, follows an "advise" from the BDO of Itahar.
"Condition of the roads which connect our villages with the highway is bad, particularly during the monsoon. We have approached the local panchayat representatives and the officials at the block office. Despite repeated assurances, no initiative was taken by them," said Pampa Ghosh, an Itahar resident who participated in the blockade.
"While speaking to the BDO, he told us that mere visits to his office would not prompt the administration to wake up from its slumber and advised us that we should resort to road blockade to mount pressure on the administration. Accordingly, we raised the blockade on the highway today," Pampa said.
The blockade on the highway that connects north and southern parts of Bengal brought traffic to a screeching halt.
The Joint BDO of Itahar went to the spot with forces. He spoke to the agitators and assured them that the repair would commence soon. In fact, at around 10.30pm, some excavators reached the location. Those were engaged to start the repair of potholes and craters with earth.
Finally, the residents withdrew around 11am and the traffic resumed.
Administrative sources said they too had learnt that the BDO had "advised" the residents to block the highway.
"It is surprising. A government official cannot make such suggestions to people. We have started an inquiry on the basis of information gathered from different sources. We will also speak to the BDO and check out whether it is correct," Ayesha Rani A, the district magistrate of North Dinajpur, said.
Goswami, the BDO, however, has denied the charges.
"Some villagers have completely misinterpreted my comments. I had told them to abstain from any such road blockade," he said.
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