Cooch Behar: Martyr’s Day was observed on Friday at Amtali School in the Jorpatki area under Mathabhanga-I block of the Shitalkuchi Assembly Constituency, marking the fifth anniversary of the tragic firing incident that claimed four lives during the 2021 Assembly elections.
On April 10, 2021, four villagers were killed in firing by central forces at a polling station located within the school premises. The incident had sparked widespread outrage across the state. Following the tragedy, a martyr’s memorial was constructed on the school grounds on the instructions of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
On Friday, members of the Shaheed Smriti Raksha Committee, along with family members of the deceased and local residents, paid tribute to the martyrs by offering wreaths and garlands at the memorial.
However, as the district prepares for fresh elections—scheduled to be held across nine Assembly constituencies of Cooch Behar on April 23—the memories of the incident continue to haunt the affected families. Many of them expressed lingering fear and anxiety as polling day approaches once again.
Recalling the incident, Maniruzzaman Mian’s uncle, Hadi Ashraf Ali Mia, described April 2021 as a “black day” for the area. “After voting, we heard gunshots. On returning home, we saw four people lying dead. The Chief Minister had assured support, and family members were given home guard jobs.
However, many of the widows later returned to their parental homes, leaving families in distress with no one to support them,” he said.
He further alleged that the otherwise peaceful area had witnessed a “planned conspiracy” leading to the firing. Emphasising the need for security, he added, “With elections approaching again, we want to exercise our democratic rights without fear. Proper security arrangements must be ensured to guarantee peaceful voting.”