Khejuri II

Khejuri II (CD Block)
খেজুরী II সমষ্টি উন্নয়ন ব্লক
community development block
Khejuri II (CD Block)

Location in West Bengal, India

Coordinates: 21°51′27″N 87°54′42″E / 21.8575100°N 87.9115520°E / 21.8575100; 87.9115520Coordinates: 21°51′27″N 87°54′42″E / 21.8575100°N 87.9115520°E / 21.8575100; 87.9115520
Country  India
State West Bengal
District Purba Medinipur
Area
 • Total 132.77 km2 (51.26 sq mi)
Population (2001)
 • Total 117,409
 • Density 880/km2 (2,300/sq mi)
Languages
 • Official Bengali, English
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
Lok Sabha constituency Kanthi
Vidhan Sabha constituency Khejuri
Website purbamedinipur.gov.in

Khejuri II (community development block) is an administrative division in Contai subdivision of Purba Medinipur district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Khejuri police station serves this block. Headquarters of this block is at Janka.[1][2]

History

Khejuri port

Raja Rammohun Roy sailed for England from Khejuri port in 1825.[3][4][5] The devastating cyclone of 1864 destroyed the port at Khejuri.[6]

The area around Khejuri has come up in stages. Sixteenth century maps project an emerging island in the area. Seventeenth century maps show two islands – Khejuri and Hijli. The entire area was submerged under water. Long embankments have been built to keep the saline water away and the land recovered with great effort. In the days of the Nawabs of Bengal, this area had many salt pans. In the early days of the East India Company, the port and the town flourished at Khejuri. As Kolkata grew in importance Khejuri lost its usefulness to the British.[7]

Political battleground

Khejuri was a Left Front stronghold for about two decades till the Nandigram movement.[8] As those who were opposed to the land acquisition policy of the Left Front government started protesting in the Khejuri area, in 2007, terror was unleashed by the CPI(M) cadres, then in command of the region and many had to flee the area.[9][10][11] For a long time Khejuri was used by CPI(M) activists as a launching pad for attacks on Nandigram.[12] After a long struggle between CPI(M) and Trainamool Congress for control of Khejuri, it came under control of the latter.[13] CPI(M) has made attempts to recapture Khejuri but failed.[14] The situation has continued to be tense with many people forced out of the area.[15]

Geography

Janka, a constituent panchayat of Khejuri II block, is located at 21°51′27″N 87°54′42″E / 21.8575100°N 87.9115520°E / 21.8575100; 87.9115520.

Khejuri II community development block has an area of 132.77  km2.[2]

Cyclones and floods

The entire area is subject to recurring cyclones and floods.[6]

Kaukhali light-house

A light-house was built in 1810 at Kaukhali, a village about five miles south of Khejuri. It is near the mouth of the Rasulpur River.[16] It stood 75 feet high and was visible for 15 miles. Sagar Light House is located 13 miles away across the river on Sagar Island.[17] Kaukhali light-house was abandoned in 1925.[18]

Gram panchayats

Gram panchayats of Khejuri II block/ panchayat samiti are: Baratala, Haludbari, Janka, Khejuri and Nijkasba.[19]

Demographics

As per 2001 census, Khejuri II block had a total population of 117,409, out of which 60,130 were males and 57,279 were females. Khejuri II block registered a population growth of 17.82 per cent during the 1991-2001 decade. Decadal growth for the combined Midnapore district was 14.87 per cent.[2] Decadal growth in West Bengal was 17.84 per cent.[20]

References

  1. ↑ "Contact details of Block Development Officers". Purba Medinipur district. West Bengal Government. Retrieved 2011-07-20.
  2. 1 2 3 "Provisional population totals, West Bengal, Table 4, (erstwhile) Medinipur District". Census of India 2001. Census Commission of India. Retrieved 2011-07-20.
  3. ↑ "Tourist places (Khejuri)". midnapore.in. Retrieved 2011-08-02.
  4. ↑ "Freedom movement in Contai". Contai.info. Retrieved 2011-08-02.
  5. ↑ "Ram Mohun Roy". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 2011-08-02.
  6. 1 2 "Cyclones and floods at Contai (page 4)". contai.info. Retrieved 2011-08-02.
  7. ↑ Binoy Ghosh, Paschim Banger Sanskrititi (in Bengali), Vol II, pp. 147-152, Prakash Bhawan, 1978.
  8. ↑ "209 - Khajuri (SC) Assembly Constituency". Partywise Comparison Since 1977. Election Commission of India. Retrieved 2011-08-02.
  9. ↑ Kamboj, Simi (21 March 2007). "Villagers flee CPM bastion - Biceps in Khejuri, balm in Calcutta". Calcutta, India: The Telegraph, 21 March 2007. Retrieved 2011-08-02.
  10. ↑ "A bridge too far". Calcutta, India: The Telegraph, 25 March 2007. 25 March 2007. Retrieved 2011-08-02.
  11. ↑ "Huts torched in Khejuri". Calcutta, India: The Telegraph, 3 February 2009. 3 February 2009. Retrieved 2011-08-02.
  12. ↑ "Police stir in Nandigram". Calcutta, India: The Telegraph, 22 June 2007. 22 June 2007. Retrieved 2011-08-02.
  13. ↑ "Two killed in CPM-Trinamul turf battle Rivals fight for control of Khejuri". Calcutta, India: The Telegraph, 23 September 2010. 23 September 2010. Retrieved 2011-08-02.
  14. ↑ "Trinamul foils CPM Khejuri recapture bid - Adhikari & Co chase away armed cadres". Calcutta, India: The Telegraph, 25 November 2010. 25 November 2010. Retrieved 2011-08-02.
  15. ↑ "CPM reopens Khejuri offices". Calcutta, India: The Telegraph, 24 March 2011. 24 March 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-02.
  16. ↑ "Cyclones and floods at Contai (page 4)". 1864 cyclone. contai.info. Retrieved 2011-08-02.
  17. ↑ "Hooghly Pilotage CA 1910". quivis.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-08-02.
  18. ↑ "Rise and fall of Contai". amar kanthi.com. Retrieved 2011-08-04.
  19. ↑ "Balance of 2nd Installment for 2010-11 under BRGF for Purba Medinipur". No. 12 -(Sanction) RD/CCA/BRGF/1C-12/07 Date: 12.4.2011. Government of West Bengal - Department of Panchayats & Rural Development. Retrieved 2011-08-02.
  20. ↑ "Provisional Population Totals, West Bengal. Table 4". Census of India 2001, Medinipur district. Census Commission of India. Retrieved 2011-07-20.

External links

Khejuri travel guide from Wikivoyage

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