HUNGER STRIKE

GCDP's hunger strike enters 3rd, 15 hospitalised

 

COOCH BEHAR, June 7: The indefinite hunger strike of the Greater Cooch Behar Democratic Party (GCDP) entered its third day on Saturday. The GCDP started the hunger strike at Shahid Baag in Cooch Behar from Thursday morning demanding unconditional release of the fifty-six undertrial prisoners including Mr Bangshi Badan Barman who are staying inside the Cooch Behar District Correctional Home since 2005.

 

GCDP president Mr Ashutosh Barma claimed that initially 101 supporters started fasting. Later, the number rose to 198. As health condition of the strikers started worsening, fifteen strikers were shifted to hospital today. He alleged that the police prevented new ones to join the hunger strike programme who appeared at Shahid Baag today.

 

Meanwhile, a delegation of All Assam Koch Rajbonshi Students' Union (AAKRASU) led by its advisor Mr Ranaditya Barman met the hunger strikers today and expressed their solidarity with the agitators. The AAKRASU is a member-organisation of the Greater Kamta United Forum (GKUF) in which the GCDP and Kamtapur Progressive Party are also members. The AAKRASU leaders declared that they would also start a similar movement in Assam if the authorities fail to meet the demand raised by the GCDP.

 

Mr Barma made it clear that they will not lift the hunger strike till receiving of any clear assurance from the government over their demand.

 

It may be recalled here that on 20 September 2005 a large number of supporters of the then united GCPA had tried to enter into Cooch Behar town violating Section 144 CrPC to sit for a fast-unto-death programme at the office premises of the district magistrate demanding formation of a separate state and recognition of their mother tongue. Following large-scale violence three policemen including an ASP and two GCPA men had to die. In connection with that incident several supporters were arrested. GCPA chief Mr Bangshi Badan Barman and a few others had surrendered to the court. Three cases were lodged against fifty-eight persons. Later, two of the undertrials died in custody. []