Kamal Kumar Biswas.TOD.Balurghat
Tension gripped the Balurghat administrative complex on Thursday as a group of women demanding payments under the Annapurna Yojana protested outside the offices of the Sub-Divisional Officer and District Magistrate before blocking a busy road.
The protesters, who claimed they were eligible for the scheme but had not received the promised financial assistance, reportedly damaged the nameplate outside the Balurghat SDO office and threw bricks towards its gate. They later moved to the District Magistrate’s office after alleging that their grievances had not received a satisfactory response.The demonstration then spilled onto the road outside the DM’s office, where the protesters staged a blockade, disrupting traffic along one of Balurghat’s busy thoroughfares.The women also questioned why, according to them, some beneficiaries they considered ineligible were continuing to receive benefits while eligible applicants remained unpaid.
A large police contingent from Balurghat police station was deployed at the administrative complex, with additional forces brought in as tensions mounted. The protesters were eventually removed from the SDO and DM office premises. The road blockade was lifted after police and administrative officials assured them that their complaints would be examined.Similar demonstrations were reported at the Balurghat Block Development Office and other block offices across South Dinajpur, indicating that the issue had spread beyond the district headquarters.“We are eligible for the Annapurna benefit but our money has not been released. We want the administration to clarify why we are being deprived,” protester Lily Sarkar said.
Another protester, Joyita Ghosh, warned that the women would intensify their agitation if eligible beneficiaries continued to be denied payments.“We have repeatedly approached the administration but have not received a proper answer,” said Barsha Dutta Som.Puja Natta said the protesters would launch a larger movement if their benefits were not released soon.The administration’s assurances temporarily eased the situation, but the protesters’ demands for clarity over delayed payments and beneficiary selection remained unresolved.
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