GCDP remembers Chilarai, plans fresh stir

 

COOCH BEHAR, Feb. 21: The Greater Cooch Behar Democratic Party (GCDP) will organise a fresh and intensive movement in Cooch Behar to get a separate state. The decision was declared at a large gathering that was held on the occasion of celebration of the 498th birth anniversary of the great hero of the erstwhile Cooch Behar Kingdom, Chilarai (Shukladhwaj). The gathering was held today at Bhandijelas village in Tufanganj.

 

The GCDP president Mr Ashutosh Barma said that they would field candidates in the next three-tier panchayat elections in Cooch Behar district. They may make an alliance with like-minded parties who will come forward to support their demand to implement the merger agreement following which the erstwhile princely state of Cooch Behar was included in India. It may be mentioned here that the GCDP believe that the agreement signed between the then Maharaja of Cooch Behar and the government of India was not implemented properly. Electing their representatives through the democratic system they will intensify their movement to get the agreement implemented properly, Mr Barma said.

 

The GCDP president recalled that the then chief of The Greater Cooch Behar People's Association (GCPA) Mr Bangshi Badan Barman had to surrender and 57 others were arrested following their movement held on 20 September 2005. They were provided with the status of political prisoner but they are not receiving proper medical care inside the jail. Two of them had to die without adequate medical care, he alleged.

 

The GCDP vice-president Md Rabiul Islam said that they would organise massive movement demanding unconditional release of the leaders and activists who were arrested during the GCPA's movement. They are also to also organise movement against forcible acquisition of agricultural land in the name of industrialisation.

 

The GCDP wants the Cooch Behar Airport to be named after Bir Chilarai. Chilarai was a great hero of Cooch Behar royal dynasty. As the General in the regime of Maharaja Nara Narayan he became famous for his courage and might. Mr Barma said, "Bir Chilarai is our ideal hero and the youths of the new generation should learn about him. His biography should be included in the school syllabus". He pointed out that many reputed historians too described Chilarai as a great hero.

 

GCDP general secretary Mr Phanindra Nath Barman alleged that the government was doing nothing to save the holy tortoises (that are known as Mohan) of Baneswar Shiv Dighi. It will not be tolerated anymore, he said.

 

Hundreds of slogan shouting people started pouring in Bhandijelas village from this morning to attend the two-day celebration of the 498th birth anniversary of Chilarai. A large contingent of police was also deployed to maintain peace. Seeing the heavy police arrangement senior GCDP leaders quipped : They are trying to surpass the attendance of our men!

 

The second annual meeting of the party's central committee will be held tomorrow at Bhandijelas village in Tufanganj. []