GREATER COOCH BEHAR MOVEMENT

GCPA's hunger strike steps on third day

The indefinite hunger strike of The Greater Cooch Behar People's Association (GCPA) stepped into its third day on Wednesday. The activists of the GCPA are on fast at Raas Mela Maidan and adjacent roads in Cooch Behar town since Monday demanding formation of a separate state, proper implementation of the merger agreement by which Cooch Behar was included in India and formation of a caretaker cabinet of ministers for Cooch Behar.

Normal life in the town is being disturbed to some extent due to the agitation as they installed tents for the hunger strikers blocking a few roads including Bangchatra Road and Silver Jubilee Avenue in the town. Citizens have to use alternate roads to reach their destinations. Functioning of educational institutions are also being disturbed as a number of schools sent back their students on Wednesday probably to avert disturbance.

Police said they are keeping strict watch on the situation as many citizens are feeling disturbed following occupancy of streets by the agitators. A senior police official said they are ready to meet any situation. Riot control vans and water cannons are also kept ready to maintain peace.

District Magistrate of Cooch Behar Ms Smaraki Mahapatra said dialogues are being continuing with the agitators urging them to lift their stir. A process is also going on to clear the streets of the town. More than one hundred hunger strikers have been hospitalised, as they turned sick. "We are trying our best to get an way out from the present situation", she said.       

A GCPA leader said a similar agitation is going on in New Delhi too. She said they would continue their agitation till fulfilment of their demands.  She claimed that they initiated their indefinite hunger strike by obtaining proper permission from the administrative authorities.