Siliguri, 2 September (H.S.):

Sravani Dutta, councillor from Ward No. 14 of Siliguri Municipal Corporation, has been removed from her position as a member of the Mayoral Council following a controversy in Ashrampada. The decision was announced on Tuesday by Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb at a press conference. The Mayor will now take charge of her portfolio.

The incident traces back to Sunday night after Ganesh Puja immersion, when Dutta, along with her supporters, allegedly got into a heated altercation with local residents in Ashrampada. Reports claim that she was under the influence of alcohol at the time, and some individuals were also attacked during the scuffle, leading to heightened tensions in the area.

Following the incident, Mayor Deb had rushed to the spot. On Monday, local residents met him to register their grievances. Subsequently, a meeting was held with other councillors and members of the Mayoral Council, after which details of the episode were communicated to the party’s state leadership. Acting on the directive, Sravani Dutta was dismissed from her post.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh