By Zaidul Haque, TwoCircles.net,
Kolkata/Birbhum: The training centre and adjoining farm of a NGO engaged in social activities was set ablaze on the mid night of January 27 by alleged miscreants in the Birbhum district of West Bengal.
The suspicious fire has burnt down completely the farm, preserved seeds, poultry and training center of the Mohammad-Bazar Backward Classed Development Society (MBBCDS), who work among the marginally weaker sections of the society, mainly the tribals and Muslims women, located at Herika Village of Purana Gram panchayet area under the Mohammad Bazar police station in Birbhum district. The society is being headed and established by social activist Ayesha Khatun.
Blaze at the MBBCDS center at Herika village of Birbhum.
Speaking to twoCircles.net, Ayesha Khatun confirmed that the MBBCDS center was set ablaze, adding that it was one of their main centers. She said that around mid-night as they were preparing to go to sleep, they got the information of the fire, and rushed to the center; but still could not save the farm, the poultry farm as well as the plants and trees have completely been gutted, she said.
MBBCDS meanwhile has not filed any case as such. Ayesha Khatun says that she wants to focus on her work and not involve in any legal tussles unnecessarily.
The poultry farm of MBBCDS at Herika village of Birbhum completely gutted in fire.
The MBBCDS farm was a `Composite Land setting Training Centre’ for women, where they give training to local people on better agricultural techniques for high yield. The poultry farm was set up to earn money so that the farm could sustain itself.
Asked if she suspects anyone of burning the farm, she was apprehensive and did not want to speak on the issue.
Former Gram Panchayet Member of Herika village, Mohammad Fazlul Haque Mondal told confirmed the fire, but expressed ignorance about the possibility of blazing, adding it might have been caused by short-circuit of electric wires.
An upset Ayhesha Khatun after the farm was completely burnt down.
Herika is a Muslim dominated village, but main campus area at Puranagram is dominated by Schedule caste and Schedule tribes.
MBBCDS run schools, training programs, health and hygiene awareness, HIV prevention programs and promote Self-Help groups.
(To know more about Ayesha Khatun or MBBCDS read this TCN feature: Ayesha Khatun : The woman on a mission )