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(An Article of Prawah Feb 2010)

Paid News Culture And Indian Media

By Nava Thakuria 30 January, 2010

India has finally woken up to the menace of 'paid news' culture in the mainstream media. The practice that involves money in acquiring unethically media space by the beneficiaries remained an important issue in India for many years. But lately a number of influential media persons' organisations have shown their concern with the ill practice of journalism in the country.

The practice of offering envelopes to reporters remained visible across Asian media and especially India and China for decades. But lately the practice appears to be becoming institutionalised, not by poverty-stricken reporters but by the publishers themselves. It is alleged that many media houses in India irrespective of their volume of business have started selling news space after some understandings with the politicians and corporate people without disguising those items as advertisements.

First it was a meet of South Asia Free Media Association (India chapter) in Mumbai during the first week of December, where the issue of paid news was officially discussed with serious concern. Then came the annual general meeting of the Editors' Guild of India during the fourth week of December, where most of the members expressed concern at the growing tendency of a section of media groups (both print and visual) to receive money for some 'non-advertorial' items in their media space.

The editors' guild sent a letter to each of its member-editors throughout the country asking for pledges that his/her 'publication/TV channel will not carry any paid news' as the practice 'violates and undermines the principles of free and fair journalism'. The letter, signed by Rajdeep Sardesai and Coomi Kapoor, president and secretary general of the Guild respectively, expressed hope that 'the entire journalist fraternity would come together on this issue' and defend their credibility with public declarations on the subject in
order to restore public trust.

Indian media has been recognised as sensitive, patriotic and very much influential tool in the socio-political sphere since the days of freedom movement. The father of Indian nation Mahatma Gandhi initiated his movement with the moral power of active journalism. Today, India with its billion population supports nearly 70,000 registered newspapers and over 450 Television channels (including some 24x7 news channels). The Indian media, as a whole, often plays the role of constructive opposition in the Parliament as well as in various Legislative Assemblies of the State. Journalists are, by and large, honoured and accepted as the moral guide in the Indian society. While the newspapers in Europe and America are losing their readership annually, the Indian print media is still going stronger with huge circulation figure and market avenues. For the democratic India, the media continues to be acclaimed as the fourth important pillar after judiciary, parliament and bureaucratic set-up.

But unfortunately a cancer in the form of paid news has been diagnosed with the Indian media in the recent past. Millions of rupees have been reportedly been paid to media houses.

Some veteran editor-journalists like Prabhash Joshi, the founding editor of the Hindi daily Jansatta, who died in November, and BG Verghese, previously the editor of both the Hindustan Times and Indian Express, warned the Press Council of India that paid news has already turned into a full-blown scandal.

It is worth mentioning that the Mumbai SAFMA meeting had serious discussion and concern on the recent trend of commercialisation of mainstream media, and degradation of media ethics and practices in the country. All the speakers in the meeting of SAFMA (which is recognized by the SAARC), were unanimous that media in the entire region must come forward in a transparent way with maintaining public trust. Addressing the audience, eminent journalist and the rural affairs editor of The Hindu, P Sainath disclosed that that the corporatisation of the media world had simply threatened the existence of free media. "Newspaper owners are greatly influenced by political clout," P Sainath, the rural affairs editor of The Hindu, warned another media group. It was Sainath who raised the issue of paid news through his regular columns in The Hindu, urging the press council and election commission to take appropriate action.

"The proprietors now grant space for vivid coverage for the benefit of their 'friendly politicians' in the newspapers," Sainath warned in his speech. "Furthermore, to entertain their growing demands, many media groups have even gone for arranging extra space (during election periods). Let's finish the culture of paid news, otherwise it will finish us in the coming days."

An official statement of the SAFMA meet, which was attended by many distinguished editor-journalists of India including K K Katyal, Satich Jacob, Kumar Ketkar (editor of Loksatta), Om Thanvi (editor of Jansatta), Vinod Sharma (political editor of Hindustan Times), Sevanti Ninan (editor of www.thehoot.org) etc, expressed serious concern at the growing trend of selling news space.

"Recent assembly elections in Maharashtra and elsewhere revealed the spread of the pernicious practice of accepting money for giving editorial space to contestants. In fact, this evil had been perpetrated by institutionalising it," according to a statement by the South Asian Free Media Association.

Meanwhile, the press council, a quasi-judicial body, has decided to investigate, establishing a committee to examine violations of the journalistic code of fair and objective reporting. The press council Chairman GN Ray, a retired justice, acknowledged that a section of Indian media had 'indulged in monetary deals with some politicians and candidates by publishing their views as news items and bringing out negative news items against rival candidates' during the last elections.'

Even a documentary titled 'Advertorial: Selling News or Products?' was produced by an eminent media critic and academic Paranjoy Guha Thakurta for India's national broadcaster, Doordarshan. It was telecast in last November.

Guha Thakurta, a member of the press council investigative team said in an interview that the committee had received many complains from the journalists that a large number of newspapers and television channels (in various languages) had been receiving money to provide news space (and even editorials) for the benefit of politicians. Speaking to this writer from New Delhi, Guha Thakurta claims that the paid news culture has finally violated the guidelines of the Election Commission (of India), which makes restriction in the expenditure of a candidate (for any Legislative Assembly or Parliamentary elections). "Amazingly, we have found that some newspapers even prepared rate cards for the candidates in the last few elections. There are different rates for positive news coverage, interviews, editorials and also putting out damaging reports against the opponents," Guha Thakurta asserted.

The Indian Election Commission recently asked the Press Council of India 'to define what constitutes paid political news', so it can adopt appropriate guidelines. During a December meeting, the elections body also directed the press council to 'formulate guidelines to the media house' to require that the money involved be incorporated in the political party and candidate expenditures.

Lately, the Guild had submitted a memorandum to the election commission expressing its grave concern over the paid news phenomenon. A delegation from the Guild, led by its president Rajdeep Sardesai met the election commission on January 22 and urged the chief election commissioner Navin Chawla to 'take strong action against both candidates and media persons who violate the disclosure norms of election expenditure in regard to media publicity.'

Rajdeep Sardesai, the editor's guild president and also the chief editor of the CNN-IBN television news channel, speaking to this writer, said that the Guild was 'deeply shocked and seriously concerned at the increasing number of reports detailing the pernicious practice of publishing paid news by some newspapers and television channels, especially during the recent elections'.

"We strongly believe that the practice of putting out advertising as news is a grave journalistic malpractice. Moreover the trend threatens the foundation of journalism by eroding public faith in the credibility and impartiality of news reporting. It also vitiated the poll process and prevented a fair election, since richer candidates who could pay for their publicity had a clear advantage," Sardesai added.

While admitting the right of news media to go for advertisements in various occasions, Sardesai insisted that the 'media houses should distinguish the advertisements with full and proper disclosure norms, so that no reader and viewer is tricked by any subterfuge of advertisements published and broadcast in the same format, language and style of news'.

With the same notion, a Guwahati-based media observer H. Mahanta claims that many regional newspapers in Northeast India in effect sell favourable reporting for extra income.

"You can find a number of examples in Guwahati, where the proprietors of the media houses had misused the media space for their individual benefits. It is amazing how some newspapers change their point of views towards a politician or party suddenly after getting money (in cash or kinds)," Mahanta said.

There are specific allegations that many journalists in Guwahati, who are among the lowest paid in India with starting salaries as little as US$50 a month, enjoy regular payments like monthly lump sum compensation from politicians in power. Licenses for wine shops are offered to reporters (and accepted happily by many) with the inherent understanding that they only write positive stories and if possible, kill negative reports against their politician-financers. However, the newspapers of Assam still maintain ethical values in respect of editorial space, as those are not being utilized visibly for earning extra hard cash till now, observers say. But how long it will continue that remains a bigger question.

UGRF Pamphlets in Kalimpong

NEW EDITION OF PRAWAH IS IS PUBLISHED AND IN THE MARKET FOR SALE, get your copy now!

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ABGL on a new agenda from Feb 3rd
KalimNews: ABGL is ready for agitational programme from february 3rd. In the beginning it will distribute handbills on the account of GJMM's activities taken place within the 28 month to all the leaders of GJMM and its frontal wings.  In a press conference at Darjeeling Madan Tamang, President of ABGL stated that so far GJMM has betrayed the people's aspiration and is heading towards the chairs of DGHC. And now after GNLF, GJM's fate will be the same he warned. GJMM's only choice was an alternative to DGHC not an Interim arrangement. It is clear that GJMM has already compromised for the new setup within Bengal but ABGL will oppose it, he further stated. People should not be afraid of GJMM because ABGL will lead the people to its destaination he assured. 
 Scotland team to Kalimpong on Bicycle
Jayanta Gupta, TNN, KOLKATA: It's an ascent from the mundane to the exhilarating. A group of journeymen from Scotland plan to cycle from Kolkata to Kalimpong a 665 km journey from sea level to 4,600 feet above with adrenaline in their blood and charity on their lips. 
The expedition, which will kick off from Kolkata on Valentine's Day, is aimed at raising funds for Dr Graham's Homes School, a Kalimpong institution for over a century.
Most of the 11 members of the group, including two women, are above 50 years old. "The 11-member team will arrive in Kolkata by February 13 with their bicycles. These are packed in cases and have to be carefully re-assembled. They have plans to leave for Kalimpong at 8 am on February 14 from near the Baptist Mission Church on AJC Bose Road. They hope to reach Kalimpong on February 20," said Farokh Sabawalla, who is making arrangements for the team in Kolkata.
Dr Graham's Homes School, which stands on a 500-acre estate, was founded by Rev Dr John Anderson Graham in 1900 for poor children. Till 2008, nearly 8,000 students had passed out from here. For many years now, the UK Committee for Dr Graham's Homes a charity registered in Scotland has been raising funds for the establishment's upkeep and maintenance of the children.
This is not the first time that the committee has organised such a ride. In February 2006, nine cyclists successfully completed the journey. They passed through towns and villages and succeeded in collecting over ?20,000 for the school. In 2008, 10 cyclists repeated the feat and raised ?40,000.
The committee selects a team of up to 20 members for the ride. Members have to own a mountain bicycle and possess a reasonable degree of fitness, which means they have to be able to cycle between 70-130 km per day. The members have paid ? 1,500 each for expenses. Each member will also have to express his or her willingness to raise at least ?1,000 for Dr Graham's Homes either through collections of ?100 each or by organising a charity event. The purpose of the organisation is to help a child Walk this Earth with Dignity'.
The organisers have made it clear that the membership fees or any other expense will not be subsidised by making use of charity funds. Though the ride is bound to be gruelling, the team has been told that it is not a race and members may choose to put their bikes into the back-up vehicle and travel in comfort. Till date, few have actually done that.
After starting from the Kolkata, the team will stop at Krishnagar (63 miles). On Day 2, they will cover 55 miles up to Behrampore. The next stop will be at Kaliachak (53 miles from Behrampore). On Day 4, they will halt for the night at Gajole after a 54-mile ride. On Day 6, they will cover 82 miles between Dalkhola and Siliguri. On the final day, they will make the 44 mile climb to Kalimpong.
UGRF Pamphlets in Kalimpong
Kalim News: United Gorkha Revolutionary Front distributed and left hundreds of pamphlets this morning in different areas of Kalimpong along the Sahid D.B.Giri Road starting from 8th Mile to 13th Mile. UGRF is headed by Ajay Dahal a disputed leader and wanted by Police in a murder case and other crimes. It had started a few progamme for  fighting an armed struggle for creation of Gorkhaland. 

In the pamphlets the following points are noted: Gorkhaland is the dream of every Gorkha but it could not be achieved till now WHY?

Was it a victim of cospiracies ?

Is there democracy in the hills now? Are our ladies safe? Is thee any improvement in lessening the corruption, goondaism and bribery than in the period of GNLF? Is GJMM same to GNLF?

Is its agitation democratic, disciplined and honest Or is it corrupt and doing business in the pretext of agitation? Is it a way of engulfing money/ fund/grant of AILA and DGHC or have we empowered them for this?

Will GJMM be able to achieve Gorkhaland or will it achieve another Council? 

Can people now choose their leader themselves or have to accept the corrupt and cunning leaders?

Will GJMM compromise with the Govt ? 

Is its popularity, impression and control of the public heading towards downfall?  Why it cannot leave the old fashioned ideals of Gandhi and becomes a coward?

PEOPLE longed for a change, revival of the demand and accepted GJMM with a vision.

But one year of GJMM has equalled 20 years of GNLF. It is repeating the same dialogue of GNLF, trying to disillusion the people.

Now it is certain that GJMM will not be able to achieve Gorkhaland and it will deceive the people of Dooars .

GJMM has conspired to let Chhatrey Subba be in the Jail forever. It has tried to set aside UGRF too. 

GJMM which promised to achieve Gorkhaland within March 2010 else die by self shooting has now become defacto chairman of Council and enjoying the power and using the Council and extending the time frame .

Now it is high time for the youths to achieve the goal and fight a new war because it is the only alternative.

UGRF is ready to take any risk and challenge for achieving the dream of Gorkhaland. It had suspended all of its programme and gave support and chance to GJMM but it failed to do so. GJMM is now a Gorkhaland opposing element full of political cheaters, goondas and mafias misusing the agitation for its own  benefit. Its demoralised, immoral, corrupt, lustful, chair crazy character has not only defamed itself but has defamed the entire Gorkha community and paralysed  the fight for Gorkhaland. 

It is now a final war either all of us will die or will achieve our legitimate right. 

Click on Image for enlargement

KalimNews: Gorkhaland on the Table organised by JSTO Teachers' Wing of GJMM held in Kalimpong today. It was mediated by P.Arjun member of study forum of GJMM and participated by Dr.H.B.Chhetri, Spokesperson, Roshan Giri, Secretary of GJMM: R.Moktan champion of Darjeeling merger to Sikkim and President of Sikkim National Front and R.B.Rai General Secretary of CPRM. Pix: D.K.Waiba

Ghandy confirms Nepal Connection

Maneesh Chhibber, IE, New Delhi:THE interrogation of top Naxal ideologue Kobad Ghandy, currently in custody of Delhi Police’s Special Cell, has revealed the close ties the Maoist leadership has developed with their counterparts in Nepal.

The issue of whether Indian and Nepali Maoists are in touch and working in tandem has been a subject of intense speculation for the last many years, but Ghandy’s statement provides an insight into how the two sides have gone about building confidence.

The Sunday Express got exclusive access to the 63-year-old’s secret interrogation report as well as the disclosure statement he made in the presence of witnesses to senior Delhi Police and intelligence officers. Asked about the “confessions” made by Ghandy in his statement, his lawyer Rajesh Tyagi said: “It has been forcibly extracted.”

Arrested on September 20, 2009, Ghandy has been booked under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act, 2008.

In his statement, Ghandy talks of four visits he made to Nepal along with some other top CPI (Maoist) leaders, including Kishenji, between 2002 and 2006. Ghandy also refers to a visit in 2002 by two persons from the Philippines, who provided arms training to CPI (Maoist) cadre in jungle warfare and handling of explosives.

A member of the powerful Central Committee and Politburo of the CPI (Maoist), Ghandy has also revealed details of a 12-day meeting held in November 2007 in a Jharkhand forest, attended by all top Naxal leaders, where resolutions were passed to “create large-scale violence throughout India”, target VIPs, kill police personnel including those belonging to special forces like the Greyhounds, and to “lead a mass movement in and around Lalgarh, Purulia, Bankura”.

The November 2, 2008, attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and then Union steel minister Ram Vilas Paswan in West Midnapore, that narrowly missed them but left six policemen seriously injured, was a result of the same meeting.

Sources said last week a team of the West Bengal Police questioned Ghandy at Tihar Jail in Delhi in connection with the attack.

Talking of the Nepal connection in his statement, Ghandy says that in 2003, he held meetings with Central Committee members of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist). He names one Vasant alias Ashok of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) as the leader with whom he held detailed talks about a possible collaboration.

Another important functionary that Ghandy met and interacted with was Prashant alias Partho, who was one of the three representatives during the talks held by Nepali Maoists with the Nepal government.

The first time, in 2002, Ghandy says, he visited Nepal through the Gorakhpur (UP) border along with one Subramanium alias Sukant. This visit reportedly lasted one week and was held at the invitation of the Nepal Maoists, who wanted their Indian counterparts’ help to organise themselves.

In 2006, Ghandy says he again visited Nepal, this time at the invitation of the People’s Liberation Army of Nepal (PLA). Elusive Naxal leader Mallojula Koteshwara Rao alias Kishenji reportedly accompanied him on the trip.

On all these visits, the Maoists discussed strategies to attack the establishment and to overthrow their respective governments.

The plan to attack Bhattacharjee was reportedly among those finalised at a joint meeting of the Central Committee and Politburo held for 12 days in November 2007 in Saranda forest in Jharkhand, “one day bus/jeep drive from Ranchi”.

According to Ghandy’s statement, of the 26 Naxal leaders who attended the meeting, the important ones were Muppala Laxmana Rao alias Ganapathi (general secretary), Prashant Bose alias Kishan Da (incharge of Bihar and Jharkhand), Nambala Keshava Rao alias Prakash alias Gangana, Amitabh Bagchi alias Sumeet, Kishenji and Cherukuri Raja Kumar alias Parimal.

Among the resolutions passed, he says, was a decision to attack the Nalco unit at Damanjodi (Orissa), apart from attacks on police personnel, a plan to organise mass movements in Lalgarh and nearby areas, targeting important local CPM leaders, and looting of banks in Riga, Sitamarhi (Bihar).

The leadership also finalised a 15-page “technical circular” to the cadre to evade arrest. Ghandy tells interrogators he had 12 aliases that he used to hoodwink police and anti-Naxal forces.

Under these various aliases, Ghandy says, he had written articles for Kolkata-based English publication Voice of Vanguard as well as several books, including World Economic Crisis-Capitalism in Coma that was published by Radical Publication in Kolkata and Philosophy Made Simple published in Mumbai by a professor of St Xaviers College. He wrote some of these articles under own name Kobad.

Ghandy also provides names of leaders, organisations working as fronts for the Maoists in India, saying they enjoy a fair degree of independence but are sometimes given “suggestions” by the CPI (Maoist) leadership. He also gives details of safe houses maintained in states such as Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka, Bihar and Orissa.

Name tweak proposal from Morcha- slight change to ‘Gorkhaland...PIL against Nepali Citizeship

- Gurung ready to make slight change  to make demand acceptable

VIVEK CHHETRI AND RAJEEV RAVIDAS, TT, Darjeeling, Jan. 29: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha chief Bimal Gurung is willing to change the name of Gorkhaland, the state that his party wants, to make the statehood demand more acceptable to all communities spread across the hills and the Dooars. The Morcha president has mentioned this in the “secret proposal” that he has sent to Delhi to make the granting of statehood more “palatable” to the Centre. In an interaction with The Telegraph, Gurung said: “One of the important points in the proposal (sent to the Centre) is a slight change in the name (of the state the Morcha has been demanding). This is being done because of certain problems in the Dooars.” Gurung, however, did not spell out the new name that he has in mind. In the last one year, as the Morcha has been trying to make its presence felt in the Dooars, there have been several clashes between the Gorkhas and the adivasis who are opposed to the inclusion of the Dooars in Gorkhaland that the hill party wants. The Morcha has been demanding that not only the three hill subdivisions of Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong and Siliguri subdivision be part of “Gorkhaland”, but also the Dooars which comprises almost half of Jalpaiguri district. The majority population in the Dooars consists of adivasis. Even in the foothill areas of Kalimpong subdivision, like Gorubathan, there is a sizeable presence of the tribal community. “The idea behind changing the name Gorkhaland is to make the statehood demand more inclusive one,” a Morcha leader said. “After all, other than the Gorkhas, communities like the adivasis, Lepchas and the Bhutias also live in the hills and the foothills. They should also be made to feel that they are part of the new state that the Morcha has been demanding.” While the adivasis form about 60 per cent of the population in the Dooars, the Lepchas and the Bhutias, who live in the hills, constitute 15 per cent of the population there. However, the “secret proposal” that Gurung has sent to Delhi has redefined the geographical area of “Gorkhaland” to include only the Gorkha dominated areas of the hills and the Dooars and not the entire region. But in its efforts to woo the adivasis, the Morcha, during its programmes in the foothills and the Dooars and Terai, calls itself the Gorkha Janmukti Adivasi Morcha and uses a flag with the symbol of a bow alongside the Gorkha khukuri. However, going by Gurung’s words that there would only be a “slight change” to the name Gorkhaland, observers believe that the Morcha would retain the word Gorkha, but coin another word or words to represent other communities, especially the adivasis. “Since the Morcha’s demand for a separate state is based on the issue of the identity of the Gorkhas, Gurung is unlikely to drop the word Gorkha altogether,” said a Morcha leader. But Gurung has made it clear that the “secret proposal” he has submitted to the Centre pertains to the “fundamental demand for statehood”, and has nothing to do with an interim arrangement. “I am least interested in an interim council,” Gurung said. Morcha Climbs down from Plains to Hills PTI, Kolkata: Morcha sends a curtailed map of proposed Gorkhaland to Chidambaram, which comprises only Darjeeling hills and contiguous areas, to sound ‘more logical’ Gorkha Janmukti Morcha chief Bimal Gurung has written to Union Home minister P Chidamabaram, curtailing the territorial boundary of the proposed Gorkhaland state to make the demand for a separate state “more logical”. “Gorkhaland would now include only Gorkha-dominated areas in the Darjeeling hills and contiguous areas to make the demand for statehood more logical,” GJM spokesperson Harkabahadur Chetri said from Kalimpong where Gurung was camping. “The proposal was sent to the Union home minister on January 27,” Chetri, a GJM Central Committee member said. “There is no point in including those areas where there is resistance to our demand,” Chetri said. Chetri claimed in the plains, there were certain adivasi-dominated areas where there was absolute support for Gorkhaland and would not be left out. The GJM also wanted to include areas in Siliguri sub-division where Rajbanshis also wanted a separate state. “Of course, this will be done with the consent of the Rajbanshis,” he said. The GJM’s bid to expand base in the Dooars had earlier met with resistance that had led to frequent clashes with the Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad. The Left Front in Jalpaiguri had also warned the people against separatist forces attempting to divide the people in the name of Gorkhaland, Kamtapur and Greater Cooch Behar. Tripartite talks at the administrative level on Gorkhaland in Darjeeling on December 21 had failed to reach an agreement with the Centre saying political consensus needed to be created on the demand by the GJM, which had sought the next round of talks within 45 days. PIL against Nepali Citizeship SNS, KOLKATA, 29 JAN : Today the hearing of a  Public Interest Litigation began in Calcutta High Court which may have serious implications on the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha activists  agitating for a separate state. Moved by Jan Chetna, a Siliguri-based organisation it sought that Nepalis who have settled in India after 26 January, 1950 are not entitled to citizens’ status.  The Division Bench of the Chief Justice directed that notices be sent to the Union Government, Election Commission, secretary, Ministry of  External Affairs, Chief Eledctoral Officer, West Bengal, the state government, the state home secretary, divisional commissioner, Jalpaiguri, IG, north Bengal, IG, SSB and the district magistrates of Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling. A period of four weeks was granted by the court for the submission of  affidavits.      Most of the Nepalis who have come to India after this cut-off date are not entitled to the status of Indian citizens, Mr Shakya Sen moving the PIL before the Division Bench of Mr Mohit Santilal Shah, Chief Justice and Mr Justice Bhaskar Bhattacharya of  Calcutta High Court submitted  during the day. Underscoring his contention, he said that it has been laid down in a tripartite treaty between India, Great Britain and Nepal and another treaty of peace and friendship between India and Nepal. The first treaty laid down that Gorkha soldiers must be recruited as Nepalese citizens and serve as such and be resettled in Nepal, it was submitted.  The second one was almost identical in its spirit too, it was submitted. But it so happens that people from Nepal are pouring through the porous Indo-Nepal border and settling in India after acquiring ration cards and voters’ identity cards without the EC going into their antecedents.    TIT BITS KalimNews: In presence of Bimal Gurung five GJMM Block Committees of 28th Constituency of Jaldhaka Todey Tangta region were constituted  amidst deep confusion and chaos. Dissolving the present five Block Committees of 28th Constituency of Jaldhaka Todey Tangta region 3 Block Committees were formed and their Office bearers were elected. This is for the fifth time the regional Committees are being reconstituted due to several irregularities. During the formation of Rongo Gairibas Committee formation there were disputes on selecting the Officebearers but later in the afternoon it was solved and the formation was declared. 1/ Todey Tangta Jholung Block Committee: President: Mingmer Lama, Vice President: Amit Thing and Manoj Tamang, Secretary: Chunda Sherpa, Asst Secretary: Ramji Acharya, Treasurer: Sagar Chhetri, Member to Sub Div Committee:Lopsang Lama 2/ Samsing Kumai Block Committee: President: Tika Thapa, Vice President: Suman Rai and Kamal Prakash Rai, Secretary: Kamal Giri, Asst Secretary: Gyan Kr Rai, Treasurer: B.K.Thapa, Member to Sub Div Committee:Dipak Adhikari 3/ Rongo Gairibas Block Committee: President: Chandra Kr Rai, Vice President: Diwas Rai and Johny Tamang, Secretary: Milan Gurung, Asst Secretary: Satan Chhetri, Treasurer: Bal Raj Gurung, Member to Sub Div Committee: Silan Gurung. Confine slur after swap charge Siliguri, Jan. 29: A woman who had alleged a month ago that her baby boy had been swapped with a girl child after birth today said she was being forcibly detained at the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital. The NBMCH has denied the charges. Jashoda Singha, however, said she would not take the baby girl with her if she was released, for the child was not hers. She said her husband and relatives have been constantly approaching the superintendent of the hospital, asking him to discharge her. “We have written to him. But he keeps saying that I will be discharged only after the DNA test report comes. The report, they say, will take several more months to come. It’s difficult for my family to visit me everyday,” said Jashoda from her bed at the gynaecological ward. She said her family was poor — the husband is a farmer — and could not afford to visit her in hospital everyday. “I want to go home but if they discharge me, I will not take the baby girl with me. The hospital authorities should take the responsibility,” she added. Jashoda claimed that the baby she delivered at 12.20pm on December 27 was a boy. She said she had seen the baby boy when the nurses were bathing him. Her in-laws who were present outside the delivery unit that day had vouched that it was a male child because the ayah had shown the baby to them when he was being taken to the nursery. The hospital staff present at the time of delivery, however, had skipped the process of official identification which is done by the mother. They later clarified that the baby was a girl and was critical at that time and had to be taken to the nursery immediately instead of conducting the identification process. They claimed that four babies were born between 12 and 12.20pm that day and the only male child was delivered by Talsari Singha. Talsari’s baby boy, too, is in the nursery with an “intracranial haemorrhage” (haemorrhage or bleeding within the skull). “It is nearly a month that my son has been admitted here. He has some complications in the brain and doctors say that it is a blood clot. There is also some controversy regarding my baby. Some other woman is claiming him as her son. But he is my baby,” Talsari said. Although Jashoda denies that the child is hers, she breast-feeds the baby girl. Shyamapada Pati, the head of the gynaecological department, has denied the charges of keeping Jashoda in the hospital against her will. “We have not kept her here forcibly. She is staying here at her will. Jashoda has been suffering from fever for the past two days and is being treated for it,” Pati said. The hospital authorities had set up an inquiry committee to look into the baby swap charge and the report was submitted to the NBMCH principal yesterday. The serum samples for DNA test had been sent to Calcutta 15 days ago. “The report is expected in the next six months. The report of the inquiry committee was submitted to the principal yesterday. If Jashoda wants to leave, we will discharge her. But she will have to take the baby girl with her. The DNA reports will eventually settle the matter but till then she will have to take care of the baby,” said Samir Ghosh Roy, the superintendent of the hospital. Bangabandhu's assassins hanged Dhaka, 28 January : Bangladesh has hanged the five ex-Army officers, convicted for assassinating the country's founder Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, almost 35 years after he was killed in a military coup. The five death row convicts were hanged past midnight (local time), hours after the Supreme Court rejected their review plea, jail officials said. Ex-Lieutenant Colonel Mohiuddin Ahmed (artillery) and ex-Major Bazlul Huda were hanged first as the execution process started late last night while ex-Lieutenant Colonel Syed Faruq Rahman was the third to be executed minutes later.  Ex-lieutenant colonels Shahriar Rashid Khan and AKM Mohiuddin Ahmed (lancer) were the last to walk to the gallows. The entire execution process took just 40 minutes to be completed, though it took 35 years to bring the putsch leaders to justice for the 15 August, 1975 assassination of the fomer president along with most of his family members. Bangabandhu was killed along with his wife and three sons, including 10-year-old Russel.  His daughters, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana, survived the carnage as they were abroad at the time of the incident. The five convicts walked to the gallows after a trial that dragged on for 13 years but six others condemned were still on the run to evade trial even as Bangladesh launched a diplomatic campaign engaging the Interpol to bring them back home. န Photos : AP, Reuters