Banshi Badan Barman-led Coochbehar movement gains momentum, three days on

KOLKATA: After almost a decade since the greater Coochbehar movement witnessed bloodshed in North Bengal in 2005, Banshi Badan Barman, the leader of the movement, is yet again back in action holding a rail-blockade for last 72 hours now.

Following a negotiation with senior officials of the state government, Barman told ET that the blockade will be withdrawn, once they get a written assurance from the union home ministry to discuss the issue with them in Delhi.

"The senior officials including the state home secretary requested us to withdraw the blockade and submit a memorandum to them. The memorandum will be forwarded to the Centre. So, we will wait till the centre replies to us in writing. The demand of union territory status for Coochbehar is an old issue. And the central government is well aware of it. We will not allow them to ignore us," said Barman of Greater Coochbehar People's association (GCPA).

Apart from an union territory, his demands include official recognition for Rajbanshi language, induction of special regiment, called Narayani Sena of the erstwhile king of Coochbehar and the details of funds, the erstwhile kind donated to the people of Coochbehar. Barman has mobilised more than 5000 people at New Coochbehar station and they have taken full control of area.