GREATER COOCHBEHAR

GCDP's roadblock to get separate state

 

COOCH BEHAR, Aug. 25: Demanding formation of a separate state within the framework of Indian Constitution the Greater Cooch Behar Democratic Party organised an one-hour roadblock programme in Cooch Behar district today. The GCDP activists staged the roadblock at twenty-five places like Harichawra, Dinhata Choupathi, Jajna Narayaner Kuthi, Gopalpur, Harirhat, Balarampur, Sitai, Sitalkuchi, Haldibari and Nishiganj in different blocks from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Traffic movement was heavily disrupted during the agitation as it was held at the busy hour.

 

The GCDP also organised a mass gathering at Dinhata Choupathi during the roadblock programme where senior GCDP leaders spoke. The police tried to lift the roadblock but the GCDP supporters resisted the bid, party sources claimed.

 

President of the GCDP, Mr Ashutosh Barma said they organised today's programme to highlight their demand to get a separate state following the agreement signed between the Maharaja of Cooch Behar and Indian government before the merger of Cooch Behar State with Union of India.

 

At the gathering at Dinhata Choupathi, during his address, Mr Barma also demanded introduction of national holiday on the birthday of Roysaheb Thakur Panchanan Barma, inclusion of Cooch Behar's history in the curriculum of schools, setting up of a Central university in Cooch Behar and appointment of a senior representative of Cooch Behar royal family as the president of Debottar Trust Board (DTB). Mentionworthy, DTB is the guardian body of all religious places and temples of the erstwhile princely state of Cooch Behar.

 

The GCDP president said they would wait till 8 September for a positive response from the authorities concerned. Otherwise they will stage a massive roadblock along National Hoighway-31 on 9 September, on the death anniversary of Roysaheb Thakur Panchanan Barma. []