GCDP plan to launch fresh stir

 

COOCH BEHAR, Feb. 18: The Greater Cooch Behar Democratic Party (GCDP) is considering a plan to launch a fresh movement for the release of its undertrial leaders and activists who are staying behind the bars for a long. Presently there are fifty-six undertrials inside the Cooch Behar District Correctional Home (CDCH) including top ranking leaders like Mr Bangshi Badan Barman and Mr Dhirendra Nath Barman. The GCDP will discuss its movement plan at the party's central committee meeting to be held on 22 February.

 

GCDP president Mr Ashutosh Barma said that in the meeting of the central committee they would also adopt resolutions on organising of fresh movements for a separate state. Fielding of candidates and the strategy of campaign for the next three-tier panchayat elections will also come up for discussion.

 

The GCDP will observe the 498-th birth anniversary of the great hero of Cooch Behar royal dynasty, Chilarai at Bhandijelas village in Tufanganj. A two-day cultural programme will be held on the occasion on 21-22 February. On the second day of the programme the second-year central committee meeting of the GCDP will be held.

 

Mr Barma alleged that the police had harassed them in issuing of the no-objection certificate for holding of the programme for observance of Chilarai's birthday. Today they received the needed permission but it was issued under various unwanted terms and conditions, he alleged. When asked about it the Cooch Behar SP Mr Anil Kumar said he already instructed the district intelligence branch (DIB) to inquire into the matter.

 

On the otherhand, Mr Bangshi Badan Barman and other fifty-five supporters of The Greater Cooch Behar People's Association (GCPA) were produced at the court of district and sessions judge, Ms Anindita Roy Saraswati inside the CDCH today. Today was the settling date of trial for three cases pending against the GCPA men.

 

The lawyer of the GCPA Mr Shibendra Nath Roy said the judge ordered that witnesses will be examined from 7 April to 11 April for the case related to the bid to set fire to a petrol pump at Khagrabari on 20 September 2005. Examining of the cases related to the murder of two police constables and murder of an ASP will be held from 15 April to 19 April and from 21 April to 25 April respectively.

 

It may be recalled that Mr Bangshi Badan Barman had surrendered to the court on 25 May 2006 while the others were arrested in connection with the violence that was occurred on 20 September 2005, which claimed lives of three police personnel and two GCPA supporters. Meanwhile, two of the undertrials were died. []