Militant outfit Kamtapur Liberation Organization reemerges with demands of separate statehood for North Bengal

SILIGURI: Coming out of its decade long apparent hibernation, militant outfit Kamtapur Liberation Organization( KLO) is reemerging fast in northern part of West Bengal with a new name but old objective of separate statehood for north Bengal. The organization, that had close contacts with known militant organizations ULFA or NSCN(IM) and establishments in Bhutan and Bangladesh, still hosts enough potential to give major stir to the life of north eastern India.

According to a section of top police officials, recent political development in Darjeeling has given boost to the reemergence. “Gorkha Janamukti Mocha(GJM), with its apparent demand of separate statehood for Darjeeling hills, has practically taken Darjeeling out state Governance and running parallel administration there. But, it is being favoured in all aspects by political forces on own short term interests. Now KLO is also trying to gain attention of these political forces and policy makers by developing stir of significant magnitude. KLO is demanding separate statehood for North Bengal in the name of Kamtapur since long,” said a senior officer on condition of anonymity.

Under the banner of a new name Kamtapur Democratic Liberation Organization(KDLO), over 50 ex KLO volunteers have already announced the reemergence of their struggle for separate statehood for six north Bengal districts.

While boldly criticizing West Bengal Chief Minister Miss Mamata Bannerjee’s acceptance of many demands of GJM, Mr. P Burman, president of the KDLO said, “On the other side, Government is not ready to listen us though it is historical fact that all six districts are from old Kamtapur state, that remained under the ruling of Kamtapuris, the aborigines of north Bengal. Government must accept that.”

“KLO’s reemergence may become a major cause of worry to the state Government and thus deserves to be considered very seriously,” said intelligence officials.

After remaining too active in north Bengal with many daring activities, KLO had to face stringent police and political action during 2001-02 resulting it to get confined to Bhutan. Subsequently, a massive military assault by Bhutan under support from India in 2003 forced the organization to go under apparent hibernation.