GREATER COOCH BEHAR CASE

'Greater Cooch Behar' case hearing

 

COOCH BEHAR, June 27: First phase of the hearing of a case (no. 118/2006) related to the murder of two police constables that began on 23 June ended today. The next phase of the hearing will be held on 18-22 August. The hearing is being conducted at the court of the district and sessions judge Mr KYS Manhas inside the district correctional home.

 

Forty-four accused including the top-ranking leader of the 'Greater Cooch Behar' movement Mr Bangshi Badan Barman were produced in the court today.

 

In the forty-five witnesses in the case, only twelve were appeared in the court and were questioned since Monday. A deputy magistrate Mr Sanjay Mukherjee was also among them. Today, the Public Prosecutor Mr Ganesh Chandra Roy Karmakar appeared on the government side. The lawyer of the defence side, Mr Shibendra Nath Roy said, hearing of another case (no. 119/2006) related to the murder of an ASP will be held on 7-11 July.

 

Mentionworthy, on 20 September 2005, a large number of people associated with 'Greater Cooch Behar' movement had tried to enter Cooch Behar town violating Section 144 CrPC to start fast-unto-death programme demanding formation of a separate state and recognition of their mother tongue. Following large-scale violence three policemen including an ASP and two agitators were killed. In connection with that incident three cases were initiated against fifty-eight proponents of 'Greater Cooch Behar' state including the then chief of the united Greater Cooch Behar People's Association (GCPA), Mr Bangshi Badan Barman. []