Violence in Darjeeling a day after polls, boy injured
Chopra: A day after Darjeeling went to polls in the second phase of Lok sabha elections, violence broke out in the Hills Friday allegedly between the supporters of rival political parties, triggering panic among the locals, an election official said.
Bombs were hurled and bullets fired by unidentified men, injuring a student of a local school in Chopra area of the Darjeeling seat, he said.
A huge contingent of state police has been sent to the Hills take control of the situation, the official said.
"Police personnel are doing the needful to bring the situation under control. We are trying to find out who all are creating disturbances in the area. No one has been arrested so far," he told PTI.
Asked about the condition of the injured boy, the official said he was undergoing treatment at a local hospital, but could not give details about the nature of his injuries.
The EC had described Wednesday's polling in three Lok Sabha constituencies -- Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Raiganj -- as "peaceful", but stray incidents of violence were reported from Chopra and Islampur in Raiganj seat among other areas.
Voters in Chopra had put up a road blockade Thursday in protest against the absence of central forces at the polling booths, where they were reportedly stopped from exercising their franchise.
The police had to burst tear gas shells to control the irate mob, who threw stones at them. Several police personnel were injured in the clashes, the official said.
In Raiganj, a reporter and a camera person of a local news channel were manhandled as they were covering the poll process in Kataphulbari area, he said, adding that an FIR has been filed in the case.
In another area of the constituency, miscreants damaged the EVMs and VVPATs.
Till 6pm Wednesday, an estimated 79.35 per cent polling was recorded in Raiganj and 86.44 per cent n Jalpaiguri, another election official said.
"We are yet to receive the poll figures from Darjeeling. The polling agents from remote areas of the Hill constituency haven't returned as yet," he added.
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Min. Priyank Kharge to expresses concern over implementation of VB-G Ram G
Bengaluru: Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Priyank Kharge has expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding the implementation of the proposed VB-G Ram G scheme, stating that the MNREGA programme, which has been a lifeline for rural India for nearly two decades, appears to be facing an uncertain future.
Speaking to media, Kharge said that as March 31 draws to a close, there is no clarity on the rollout of the new scheme from April 1. He pointed out that the central government has not yet issued the necessary guidelines for implementing the scheme for rural workers and villages.
He criticised the Centre for its lack of preparedness, stating that there is no clarity on fund allocation, no final parameters for classifying gram panchayats, and key processes such as social audits have not been defined.
Kharge said the situation comes at a critical time, as summer marks a peak period for rural employment demand, when many people depend heavily on wage employment for their livelihood.
He added that reports have emerged of delays in approvals and families not receiving work despite demand.
He further alleged that the Centre’s move to shift from a statutory employment guarantee to a rule-based allocation system is already showing negative consequences.
Kharge also raised concerns over provisions such as a mandatory 60-day halt during agricultural seasons, which he said would further limit employment opportunities for rural workers.
The BJP-led central government had claimed that the new scheme would transform rural India, but in reality it is turning out to be detrimental to people’s livelihoods, he said.
“The crisis in rural India due to the stalling of MNREGA is beginning to unfold. Given the Centre’s past record in handling such situations, there is growing concern over the impact on rural livelihoods,” Kharge said.
