Malda Training Diary - Administrative Training Institute

From: Pradip Bhattacharya, I.A.S.,
Assistant Magistrate & Collector, Malda
Page 157 of 157
To: Sri R. K. Midha, I.A.S.
District Magistrate & Collector, Malda
3 rd August 1972
Subject: D.O. No. 9201 PS dt. 11/18-7-72 from Governor of W.B. regarding enquiry into
Cases of disabled / killed ex-servicemen in Malda District.
Sir,
On enquiry it is found that there are two such cases of families of ex-servicemen
killed/ disabled in the recent Indo-Pak conflict viz.:a.
No. 1438598 Spr – CHAPAL K. BAGCHI (killed in action) of Aiho, P.O.
Muchia, P.S. Habibpur vide No. C/3402-A/117/R dt. 6.1.72 from chief Record
officer, Bengal Engr. Group Roorkee ( Sl.96 of VIII-5/7
b. No.2951919 L/Hav.-Biswanath Saha (wounded) of Nazirpur, P.O.Mathurapur,
P.S. Manikchak, vide No. A/139/Gen/40/Casdt. 14.1.72 from Sr. Record
officer, Rajput Regt., Fatehgarh, ( Sls. 105 and 140 of Viii-5/72).
The next of kin of case (b) is his wife, Premika Rani Saha, and this has been proved beyond
doubt as true through spot enquiries by the undersigned.
However, in the case of (a), an objection has been raised by one Kamala Bagchi, alias
Sandhya Bagchi, against the Defence Deptt.’s decision that Smt. Kalyani Debi, mother of
deceased Chapal Bagchi, as his next of kin. The objector is residing in Cooch Behar with her
brother Sri Keshab Majumdar. The report from the D.C. Cooch Behar states that she was
married to Chapal Bagchi in 1970, but the report does not state whether any documentary or
other evidence to this fact was produced by her. Further clarification in this regard has been
sought from the D.C. Cooch Behar.
It is also found that one Sandhya Bagchi is registered as a family member of the
family of Smt. Kalyani Bagchi in the Kaluadighi Laluadighi Evacuee Camp from 22.9.71 to
16.1.72. On enquiry Smt. Kalyani Bagchi stated that her son Chapal had introduced Sandhya
as his adopted sister; that Sandhya had stayed with them for only a week and then suddenly
left; that at no time had she any knowledge that her son had got married. The marriage, if
made, appears to have been an inter-caste one and this might account for the reluctance of his
relations to accept it. For finally reaching a decision, the D.C. Cooch Behar’s report may be
awaited.
On enquiry it is also found that Chapal Bagchi migrated to W.B. in 1961 from his
native district of Rajshahi in Bangla Desh. He was recruited in 1963 in the army. There is no
evidence of his having an Indian Citizenship Certificate, as nothing of his personal
belongings have been recovered.
Chapal Bagchi’s parents were residents of village Balubhara, P.S. Badalgachi,
Rajshahi, Bangladesh and migrated to India in 1956 and since then were living at Madhyam
Kendua, P.S. Habibpur, Malda. In 1971 their other children joined them. Neither the parents,
not any of the children, except Utpal Bagchi the elder son, have registered themselves as
Indian citizens, although they are permanently resident here. This disposes of the D.C. Cooch
Behar’s radiogram no.G-17261(2) dt. 10.7.72, as also letter regarding family pension of
Chapal Bagchi from O.C. Records Bengal Engr. Group, Roorkee, No. N2/F-1669/59/R dt.
20 th June 1972.
The pro-forma questionnaire enclosed with the letter from the Governor is attached
herewith duly filled in.
Yours faithfully,
Pradip Bhattacharya