GREATER COOCHBEHAR

Kamtapur state demand : Hunger strike on 10-th day

The indefinite hunger strike demanding formation of a separate state stepped into its tenth day on Monday. Supporters of the three of the nine constituent organisations of the Separate State Demand Committee (SSDC) – Greater Cooch Behar Democratic Party (GCDP), The Greater Cooch Behar People's Association (GCPA) and Kamtapur People's Party (KPP) have organised the hunger strike that started on 12 December. They are demanding formation of a separate state – Kamtapur or Greater Cooch Behar - consisting 15 districts of Assam and six North Bengal districts of West Bengal.

GCDP president Mr Ashutosh Barma told the PTI on Monday evening that initially 13 persons started the indefinite hunger strike at Prantik Bazar of Dinhata. Ten persons (including one at hospital) are still continuing the hunger. Among the ten, eight are of GCDP and two are of KPP.

Mr Barma alleged that the state government or the district administration still to take any initiative to consider their demand. As a mark of protest they will organise daylong hunger strike at all the 12 blocks in Cooch Behar district on Tuesday. A similar programme will be held at Raiganj too. On 29 December they are going to organise a demonstration at the Divisional Commissioner's office at Jalpaiguri.

The GCDP leader said the District Magistrate of Cooch Behar talked with them on 17 December where they demanded holding of tripartite meeting to discuss their separate state demand. Requesting them to lift the hunger strike the DM told them that she would convey the matter to the home secretary. Seeing no development they are continuing the indefinite hunger strike, he said.

When contacted, the Additional District Magistrate of Cooch Behar, Mr Pannalal Mahapatra said the sub-divisional officer of Dinhata already talked with the agitators. It was also conveyed to the higher authorities. The Chief Secretary and the Home Secretary are now at Siliguri where leaders of the KPP have drawn their attention to the matter. On Tuesday a development may occur to melt down the stalemate, he said.