A group of youths with no political links held a sit-in demonstration in Kaliachak of Malda district for 53 hours, demanding job creation and better infrastructure in their area to “restore” the image of Kaliachak, an area that has drawn infamy over the years for its high crime rate and a steady rise in smuggling activities.

The youths ended their dharna on Sunday morning after officials spoke to them.

Youths like Kamaluddin Ahmed, Pankaj Mandal, Shish Mohammad, Alamgir Khan and Miraj Biswas, along with some others who are either studying in colleges or have just finished their education, said their protest was to underscore that the state government needs to focus on the region and take initiatives to prevent youths from getting drawn into criminal activities.

“We want Kaliachak to come out of its bad reputation as a prominent crime hub of the state. We need better infrastructure, employment opportunities through industries in the area to create options for local youths and a consistent campaign to discourage people from taking up crime. That is why we held the demonstration to draw attention of the state government and residents,” said Kamaluddin, one of the participants of the dharna in Chowringhee area of Kaliachak off NH12.

Among other demands which the youths have raised, include a new civic body, a fire station and a super-specialty hospital.

Located in the southern parts of Malda district, Kaliachak is spread over three blocks, with an equal number of Assembly constituencies. There are three police stations which cover the area. Around eight lakh people reside in Kaliachak.

A major part of Kaliachak share its border with Bangladesh, which has made the area a hub of smuggling. A number of rackets active here deal in illegal firearms, crude bombs, cattle and other contraband items.

“Extortion, gang war, killing and other similar activities keep on happening in Kaliachak. Even the state government is perturbed over the rise in crime here and has decided to depute an officer of the rank of deputy superintendent of police solely for this area. We, however, simultaneously want the state to improve facilities here and create jobs for the local people,” said another youth who had joined the demonstration.

Over the past few years, the district police came across cases where youths and even teenagers were found involved in narcotics smuggling.

“Such activities are not leading us anywhere and we believe time has come that we think differently and join hands to change the perception that people across the state have about Kaliachak” said Pankaj, a participant of the dharna.

He said in recent years, the rate of education had been increasing in Kaliachak, which was an upside.

“However, what disappoints us is that the crime rate has not dipped,” he added.

The demonstration, which residents said is the first of its kind there, also drew the attention of the administration and politicians.

Habib Ali Sardar, the BDO of Kaliachak–I block, and Atiur Rahaman, head of a panchayat samity, went to the spot and spoke to the youths, urging them to withdraw the protest. They listened and withdrew the 53-hour protest.

“We elaborated before them the initiatives taken by the state and that the government has Kaliachak on its list of priorities,” said Rahaman.

Sabina Yeasmin, the minister of state of north Bengal development who is from Malda, said she knew about the demonstration. “We too, want Kaliachak to emerge as a developed area with no illegal activities. But along with the state, the central government too has a role, in developing facilities in backward areas and creating newer options for youths,” she said.