In rare outburst, Prez Murmu hits out at Mamata

IN a rare outburst, President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday rapped the West Bengal government for changing the venue of a tribal community event she was attending in north Bengal.

- SUBHENDU MAITI & RAJESH KUMAR THAKUR

The 9th International Santhal Conference was held on Saturday at a ground near Bagdogra Airport in Goshaipur, instead of a planned venue in Bidhannagar.

“Had the programme been held there (at Bidhannagar), it would have been better. There is ample space there, and many people could have attended. But I do not know why the state administration did not permit the meeting there. Today’s programme is being held at such a place that it is difficult for people to come,” Murmu said at the event.

At the Goshaipur venue, there was hardly any crowd.