Malda school becomes oasis of hope as hundreds cross Ganga
Times of India | 14 April 2025
12 Malda: For two nights, Banabasi Mandal didn't sleep a wink. Janaki Mandal had been looking for a handful of puffed rice to feed her kids. Banabasi and Janaki are among the hundreds who have been crossing the Ganga since Saturday to escape strife-torn Dhuliyan (in Murshidabad) to reach Malda's Baisnabnagar.
The small boats crossing the river mostly ferried women and children, many of whom have seen their homes burn in the violence. With BSF's help, the families have been sheltered in Parlalpur High School, where district administration has arranged for food.
"A local councillor had assured us nothing would happen. Despite this, on Friday, some people attacked our homes, abused and threatened us, and set our houses on fire," said Banabasi. "We do not know when or where to return. We have nothing left there," added Janaki.
Tarani Mandal was at work on Friday morning when he got an anxious phone call from his wife. "I rushed home but my house had already been razed. My wife and two little daughters were standing outside," said Tarani who hid with his family, spending every minute in fear till BSF jawans reached the area early on Saturday.
Most of the refugees earn their daily bread as bidi workers or vegetable vendors.
Some people like Surajit Mandal had tried to bring the community together and maintain peace, but to no avail. "On Friday, we held a meeting and wanted to hold a peace rally. But a counter-campaign was spread, and we were attacked by a mob with bombs and stones," said Surajit.
SDO Paban Tamang visited the school building on Sunday and distributed relief material. The number of people in the school could be around 170, the SDO said. Locals, including the panchayat pradhan, however, said as many as 500 people had taken shelter in the school.
TMC's Baisnabnagar MLA Chandana Sarkar said 20 youths had been deployed at the river bank to assist those arriving from Murshidabad.