The Greater Cooch Behar People's Association (GCPA) lifted its
indefinite hunger strike on Sunday. On Saturday evening they decided
to lift the agitation following talks with senior officials of the
district administration of Cooch Behar. The police also heaved a sigh
because they had to keep a constant watch on the agitators for the
last 13 days to maintain peace.
The activists of the GCPA started an indefinite hunger strike in Cooch
Behar since 18 July. They had announced that they would continue their
agitation till the Centre invites them for talks over their demands.
They started the agitation demanding formation of a 'C' category
state, proper implementation of the agreement by which former princely
state of Cooch Behar was merged with India and formation of a
caretaker cabinet of ministers for Cooch Behar.
On Saturday evening GCPA's three leaders including its general
secretary Ms Namita Barman sat for talks with the district magistrate
Ms Smaraki Mahapatra and the superintendent of police Mr Kalyan
Bandyopadhyay. They demanded that the Centre should open dialogue with
their representatives in Delhi over their demands by Monday.
Otherwise, they would go to agitate in Delhi. As the officials
reportedly agreed to comply the GCPA too agreed to lift their 13-day
long agitation. Accordingly, the GCPA supporters left the ground near
the Cooch Behar Palace on Sunday morning. However, a similar hunger
strike is going on at Jantar Mantar in Delhi led by GCPA president Mr
Pabitra Ray, organisational sources claimed.
Cooch Behar DM Ms Smaraki Mahapatra said on Sunday that she conveyed
the matter to the higher authorities mentioning the GCPA's demand for
talks with representatives of the Union home ministry. On the
otherhand, GCPA general secretary Ms Namita Barman was not available
over phone on Sunday to make any comment over the development.
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