Mamata Banerjee expresses concern over child trafficking racket

Jalpaiguri: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday expressed concern over alleged child trafficking rackets running in Jalpaiguri district and elsewhere.

Banerjee said that each and every shelter for children in the state must be brought under the scanner.

A district child protection officer and a child welfare committee member were arrested earlier this month for alleged involvement in the Jalpaiguri racket in which a BJP leader was also arrested along with three others.

The case is being investigated by the state's Criminal Investigation Department.

During today's administrative meeting in Jalpaiguri district, the chief minister directed senior administrative officials to keep a strict vigil on homes from where babies are sold to customers through questionable adoption deals.

In the meeting she announced construction of four new overbridges to improve connectivity to a under-construction tourist facility at Gajoldoba.

The chief minister said that the four overbridges would be located at Udlabari, Lataguri, Mainaguri and Jalpaiguri.

The Jalpaiguri Sadar Hospital would be upgraded to a medical college and the number of beds would be increased to 1,200 from existing 550, she also announced.

Banerjee also directed authorities of private hospitals and nursing homes in the district to be more "sensitive and humane" while dealing with patients.