Civic volunteer’s death during training sparks protest in Siliguri

A tense situation erupted at the 12th Battalion in Phulbari on Monday morning following the death of a civic volunteer during training. The deceased, identified as Pankaj Barman, was posted under the Mathabhanga police station area and had come to the battalion barracks for training.

According to available information, Pankaj Barman had dinner with his colleagues on Sunday night and went to sleep in the barracks. When he did not respond for a long time on Monday morning, fellow trainees checked his room and found him lying unconscious. The battalion authorities were immediately informed.

Soon after the incident, resentment spread among other civic volunteers. A large number of them gathered outside the battalion gate and staged a loud protest, alleging that excessive mental pressure and heavy workload led to his death. Protesters also voiced anger over the recent state budget, claiming the allowance hike for civic volunteers was inadequate.

The exact cause of death is yet to be ascertained, and police said an investigation is underway. To prevent any escalation, a heavy police force has been deployed in front of the battalion gate, and the situation remains under close watch.