HUNGER STRIKE

GCDP's indefinite hunger begins

 

COOCH BEHAR, June 5: The Greater Cooch Behar Democratic Party (GCDP) started its scheduled indefinite hunger strike at Shahid Baag in Cooch Behar today. They adopted the hunger strike plan to highlight their demand for unconditional release of the fifty-six undertrial prisoners including Mr Bangshi Badan Barman.

 

GCDP president Mr Ashutosh Barma, who is also on fasting, said that they conveyed their demand to the district magistrate and the superintendent of police. "We will not shun our agitation till receiving of any specific assurance from the district administration", he said. When contacted, the district magistrate Mr Rajesh Kumar Sinha said he is always ready to talk with anyone on any issue.

 

During the mass hunger strike Hindu and Muslim supporters organised religious rituals like Subachani Puja and special prayer to the almighty Allah for blessings. The GCDP supporters gathered at Shahid Baag riding bicycles ignoring the Left Front sponsored bandh today.

 

Mr Barma said they sent memorandums several times stating their demands to the President, the Prime Minister and the chairman of National Human Rights Commission.

 

Earlier, demanding release of the 56 men and withdrawal of all cases against them the GCDP had organised a 12-hour token hunger strike at Shahid Baag in Cooch Behar on 25 March.

 

It may be recalled that the situation turned violent three years ago on 20 September when a large number of supporters of the then united GCPA had tried to enter into Cooch Behar town to sit for a fast-unto-death programme at the office premises of the district magistrate. In connection with that incident fifty-eight persons were arrested. Mr Bangshi Badan Barman and a few others had surrendered. Later, two of the undertrials died in custody.

 

Mr Barma claimed that the proponents of the Greater Cooch Behar were not responsible for the violence that occurred on 20 September 2005. The violence on that day claimed lives of three policemen and two GCPA supporters. Only a CBI probe can reveal the truth behind the incident, he opined. The GCDP president made it clear that the GCDP will intensify its movement to get the arrested fifty-six persons released. []