GKUF observed Black Day

 

COOCH BEHAR, Jan. 1: As a part of their plan to intensify the movement for a separate state the Greater Kamta United Forum (GKUF) observed the first day of the new year as Black Day. They burnt portraits of the first chief minister of West Bengal, late Bidhan Chandra Roy, wore black badges and organised rallies during the day.

 

The main programme was held in Dinhata. At Prantik Bazar where the head office of the Greater Cooch Behar Democratic Party (GCDP) is situated, a gathering was held. GCDP is one of the three constituent organisations of GKUF. From Prantik Bazar the GKUF supporters took out a protest rally. Arriving in Dinhata town they burnt a portrait of Bidhan Chandra Roy at Choupathi area amid slogans demanding proper implementation of the merger agreement that was reached between the then Maharaja of Cooch Behar and Government of India in 1949.

 

The general secretary of GKUF and also the president of GCDP, Mr Ashutosh Barma said today that on 1 January in 1950 the erstwhile princely state of Cooch Behar was merged with India as a district only. The then chief minister of West Bengal, Bidhan Chandra Roy had chalked out the plan to include Cooch Behar as a mere district, he alleged. "We are not ready to consider Cooch Behar as a district only and so we staged protest today against that act. Transforming of a State into a district was nothing but an act of treachery to the people of Cooch Behar", Mr Barma said.

 

Observation of the Black Day was held at other block areas of Cooch Behar district, five other districts of north Bengal and also in eleven districts of Assam, Mr Barma claimed. Cooch Behar ASP Mr James Kujur said no untoward incident was reported from anywhere during the GKUF's programme today.  

 

The GKUF leader announced that they would organise a bicycle rally from Narayanpur of Lakhimpur district in Assam to Raiganj in North Bengal on 15 January. The plan behind the proposed programme is to highlight their demand for a separate state and recognition of their mother tongue. On 4 February the GKUF supporters will observe Rail Roko programme and from 3 March they will organise a dharna (sit-in demonstration) at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, Mr Barma said. On 15 April they are to organise a central rally at Maynaguri, the GKUF leader added. []

 

PHOTO : Display of children's paintings at the stall of Srijani in Cooch Behar Book Fair. - DEBASHIS BHAUMIK