30.8.08

Get arrested for planting a tree!

And this happens in Kolkata!
Ever heard of someone being taken to the police station for planting saplings? Some workers hired by New Alipore residents Haradhan Das, Anjali Mukherjee, Sarda Swami and Anil Ray actually went through the tribulation.The police action has left the four senior citizens, involved in the green movement for the last three years, dumbfounded. They were still in a state of shock as they recounted the episode of detention by New Alipore thana officers last Saturday. “We were supervising the work when local Trinamool councillor Aroop Biswas came and told us to stop immediately. We instructed the labourers to do so,” said 76-year-old Das, a retired engineer. The matter didn’t end here. A little later, a police van carrying policemen from New Alipore thana arrived and picked up the labourers. Das and his associates tried, in vain, to reason with the councillor and the police that they had obtained a permission from the KMC’s parks department for planting trees. Finally, the elderly residents had to send a lawyer to the police station for the labourers’ release. “Our lawyer demanded to know how the police could arrest or detain persons involved in planting trees. Eventually, the thana officials relented,” said Das.So how do the police explain this over-enthusiasm? Swadhin Sarkar, OC of New Alipore thana, said: “The local councillor complained to us that some people were digging up newly constructed sidewalks. So, we called them to the thana for questioning. We asked them if they had the forest department’s sanction. They showed us relevant papers and we let them go.” The detention has created quite a flutter in the area because this group is known for its passion for saving greenery. Over the last three years, they have taken care of every sapling planted. Thanks to their efforts, New Alipore now has a lot of trees. Mayor Bikash Bhattacharya is amused by the incident. He said: “Planting trees is a noble job and no one has the right to stop anyone from doing it. We will look into the matter.” Member, mayor-in-council (parks), Faiyaz Ahmed Khan, echoed: “We will take appropriate action.” The local councillor said he had “no knowledge of the incident”.

No comments: