Burdwan, 30 Apr. 04:
The death of a minor girl who used to serve as a maid-servant in the quarter premises of a leader of CPI-M backed Workers’ Co-ordination committee leader has triggered off controversy on the eve of May-Day in the city. The matter has complicated after the local police had refused to accept the complaint against the leader and his wife, both of whom are on the staff with the Burdwan Medical College & Hospital. The district CPI-M has labelled the incident as an insignificant and stray case. 

The victim girl Mithu Pal (14) used to serve as a maidservant in the house of Mr Dayamoy Batabyal, an influential Co-ordination committee leader with the Burdwan Medical College since past one & half years. According to the deceased's mother, Trinayani Pal, who too use to serve as a maidservant in the house of Mrs Bibha Roy, a teacher with local Saradamoni Girls’ school in Bolgona in Bhatar PS area. Trinayani said, ‘I was told that my daughter was seriously ill and I was asked by the leader to rush Burdwan immediately.’ She alleged, ‘On arrival at their house, I was told she was taken to the police station where I was informed that she has committed suicide.’ She further alleged, ‘it was hard to believe for me that my daughter made suicidal attempt. I could not locate any definite reason behind her such attitude.’ Mr Narayan Roy, husband of Mrs Roy too expressed surprise with the explanation served by the accused couple. 

The mother with the help of Mr Roy reached Burdwan PS to lodge a complaint against the leader couple alleging that the death was very much suspicious. She alleged, ‘the police refused to accept the complaint and told me to come later and negotiate the matter with the leader against certain monetary compensation. I was even threatened by the police officials that, I'll be in soup on the grounds that I have allowed my minor girl to work with the Batyabal family.’ The mother refused to accept this and the body of her daughter was transported to their village in Katwa today after post-mortem at the BMCH. Mrs. Roy even said, "the girl being illiterate, how can she write a suicidal note? The Batabyal's claim they have taught the girl, but wouldn't a girl of her age revel it to her mother? I being a teacher can easily differentiate between a literate and an illiterate."

The Trinamul Congress meanwhile took up the issue alleging that the death of the 14 year-old girl inside the quarters of the CITU leader, has revealed that the minor used to serve the leftist family as a maidservant which is in contravention to the labour law and the much publicised proclamation by the Left Front government. Mr. Chandranath Mukherjee, district Trinamul Congress organising secretary brought the matter in to the notice of the Burdwan SP, Mr KC Meena. Mr Meena asked the Trinamul Congress leaders to come to his office with the issue tomorrow. 

Incidentally tomorrow is the May Day which the leftist observes with a high regard to honour the dignity of labour. Mr Batabyal, the accused leader and his wife Madhuri were not available for their comments. Mr Mukherje , the TMC leader alleged, ‘it’s a shame that the CPI-M itself does not pay any honour to the state declared measures and preach others to follow.’ The district CPI-M secretariat virtually was embarrassed with the incident. The party has asked the police to work in free hand. The district CPI-M secretary, Mr Amal Halder said, ‘it’s a stray and individual case. We least bother for that. We regard the labour law and people remember our sacrifice to ensure the achievements of great May-Day.’