Tree cut by civic staff falls on auto, 5 injured

BARASAT: At least five persons including four college students were seriously injured after a huge branch of a road-side tree felling by civic workers fell on an auto near Habra Chaitaniya college in North 24 Parganas on Wednesday afternoon. An alto car was also damaged after being trapped under the branch.
All the injured were rushed to the Barasat District hospital and later two students were shifted to RG KAR HOSPITAL after their condition dateriorated.The state food minister and Trinamool's district chief Jyotipriya Mallick went to Barasat hospital to visit the injured students.
The incident took place around 3.30 pm while some workers of Habra municipality were felling some branches of a Banyan tree off Jessore Road. "An auto was then passing by the tree and the alto car was trying to overtake the auto while the huge branch of the tree fell on two vehicles. The auto driver and it's four passengers were badly injured after being hit by the branch. The front portion of the alto car was also damaged while car driver only in it escaped unhurt," a local said.
The four students identified as Manisha Ghosh,Diya Saha, Mala Kirtaniya and Suchitra Biswas, all the HS passouts were going to the Habra Chaitaniya college to see the list of the candidates selected for admission in BA first year. Manisha and Mala were later admitted to RG Kar hospital.
According to a Habra civic official, the branches of the tree were being cut following an electrical dispute."Some branches of the old banyan tree obstructed the electric supply in the area. Because of which the workers of both municipality and electric department were supervising the job of felling branches. Unfortunately the accident occurred. They should have been more concious to avoid any kind of accident. We are investigating into the matter," a senior civic official of the Habra municipality.
The locals launched an agitation to protest against the incident.
The locals alleged that several trees on Jessore Road are being cut frequently on the pretext of unauthorised issues. "The civic authority, PWD and others departments often engage workers to fell the tress by the road side. The trees are being felled illlegaly. Even the concerning authority couldn't confirm whether the trees are cut following their instructions. The unauthorised traders are also involved in felling trees with the help of a section of officials and ruling party leaders. Despite of our repeated appeals the district administration hardly take action against the illegal felling of trees on Jessore Road." said Debasish Dutta, a local right activist.