FIR against TMC minister, party district secy

An FIR was today lodged against North Bengal Development minister Goutam Deb and his associate by two Siliguri residents who alleged that they were physically pushed by the duo while holding a protest over the building of an electric crematorium in the city.
Siliguri Police Commissioner Jayaraman said the FIRs have been lodged against Deb and Trinamool Congress Darjeeling unit secretary Krishna Chandra Paul for allegedly pushing the two when they met the minister to register their opposition to the electric crematorium in ward No.5 of the city.
Deb, however, denied the charge and claimed that it was the complainants who had physically attacked him and used foul words.

Jayaraman denied that police had engaged in a lathi-charge during the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the crematorium to disperse the large number of locals who were protesting against its setting up in their area. Those opposed to the move have contented that an electric crematorium would cause environmental pollution in the area.
The two complainants -- Gouri Mitra and Nandolal Mondal -- claimed they were invited by the minister and his companions to the podium for a discussion as the programme was about to begin but were instead threatened and pushed and verbally abused by the accused.
Deb, however, has alleged that the matter has been engineered by his political opponents, although he did not take any names.