Page:Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work.djvu/562

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DISPUTE IN KUMARGANJ.
515

those of the Royots of his Talook Comergonge who belong to the widow marriage party. This news having reached the inhabitants of Pergonnas Burda and Chandrakona, those among them who are willing to marry their sons and daughters have fallen back, through fear of consequences. Shibnarain send, 10 or 12 Durwans to his Talook Comergunge with the order to bring before him forcibly, men of the widow-marriage party and while they are ushered into his presence, they are dismissed with 10 strokes of shoes and a fine of 10 Rs. each. He also exacts a promise from them that they would in future renounce all connection with widow marriage. Several of them have left the village with their respective families. If a complaint is laid before the Darogah and Moonshee they do not perform their duty but on the contrary ridicule and abuse the complainants. When a complaint is made before the Deputy Magistrate, he issues orders against the repetition of the oppression but no subordinate officer moves in the matter. I am intimate with a Police Amlah, who, on being hard pressed by me to explain this state of things, stated that he would do so on being assured that his name would not be made known. On my consenting to this condition he said you must not make any complaint before the Khan Bahadoor who has privately directed us not to render any assistance to the widow marriage party but to endeavour to give them trouble if possible.