GKUF to observe hunger strike

COOCH BEHAR, Aug. 21: Supporters of Greater Kamta United Forum (GKUF) will observe a six-hour mass hunger strike in front of the office of the district magistrate of Cooch Behar on 24 September. The decision was adopted at a meeting of the GKUF on Sunday night according to its secretary Mr Ashutosh Barma. During the hunger strike they will demand proper implementation of the agreement by which Cooch Behar State was merged with Union of India. They will also demand recognition of their mother- tongue. GKUF sources said that they would fight jointly till their demands fulfilled.

 

Greater Cooch Behar Democratic Party (GCDP) organised its first anniversary at Prantik Bazar in Dinhata yesterday. As an incarnation of The Greater Cooch Behar People's Association (GCPA) the GCDP was formed on 20 August last year. The GCPA was a non-political organisation, but the supporters of GCPA chief Mr Bangshi Badan Barman formed the GCDP to run it as a political party. Mr Ashutosh Barma was appointed as the president of GCDP. As an undertrial Mr Barman is now staying inside Cooch Behar District Correctional Home.

 

It may be recalled here that three pro-Kamtapur organisations had formed a joint platform named Greater Kamta United Forum (GKUF) on 24 October last year. The participating organisations are Greater Cooch Behar Democratic Party (GCDP), Kamtapur Progressive Party (KPP) and All Assam Koch Rajbangshi Students' Union (AAKRASU). Mr Atul Roy of KPP was appointed as the president of the GKUF and Mr Ashutosh Barma of GCDP became the secretary.

 

Yesterday, GCDP organised a daylong programme at Prantik Bazar. After different cultural programmes a mass gathering was held there. In his address GCDP president Mr Ashutosh Barma disclosed that they would field candidates in the ensuing three-tier Panchayat election in Cooch Behar district. They will launch an intensive campaign drive. He made it clear that they will challenge the CPI-M in the Panchayat polls. During the election campaign they will use the rich local folk-culture as a weapon and certainly Bhawaiya will be the main instrument to woo the voters, Mr Barma said. []