Cooch Behar raises head for separate state

Telangana has encouraged separatists to demand creation of two more states in West Bengal — Cooch Behar and another state by combining Bankura, Purulia and West Midnapore. 

The Great Cooch Behar People’s Association, Kamtapur People’s Party and Greater Cooch Behar Democratic Party have come together under an umbrella, Separate State Demand Committee, to demand separate statehood for Cooch Behar. Thirteen committee activists are also on a fast-unto-death since Saturday evening.

The Maoist-backed Public Committee against Police Atrocities on Sunday sought separate statehood for the area combining forest areas of Bankura, Purulia and West Midnapore on the basis of tribal language, culture and religion.