Telengana formation giving rebirth to three separate statehood demands in West Bengal.

SILIGURI: UPA's decision to form separate Telengana state is giving fresh life to many more separate statehood demands in the country. Among them, three are in northern West Bengal. While activists demanding statehood for Darjeeling hills in Bengal have already come down on field, those behind Kamtapur or Greater Cochbehar movement have started tightening their belts.

To intensify own movement in demand of Gorkhaland, Gorkha Janamukti Morcha Chief Mr. Bimal Gurung has resigned from his post of Chief Executive in Gorkhaland Territorial Administration( GTA), the specially developed autonomous administrative body for Darjeeling hills formed through an agreement between GJM and West Bengal state Government in 2011.

Going one step further, the party has called for an indefinite period bandh in hills from 3 rdAugust.

Though GJM could get GTA and assurance of Rs 600 crore from center for the hills, people of the region consider Gorkhaland statehood as GJM's ultimate destination and GJM leaders must prove that to maintain own existence. At this juncture, formation Telengana leaves no option open for GJM top brasses other than going for aggressive movement for separate Gorkhaland state.

Down in the foothills, Kamtapur Progressive Party (KPP) has also started planning to intensify its movement. "Since Telengana demand has been accepted, we want our demand also to be accepted," said KPP president Mr. Atul Roy. Mr. Roy played an active role in 2002 in the formation of a Council for the Smaller States under Jharkhand Mukti Morcha supremo Mr. Shibu Soren's leadership. Back in 2001, the KPP gained massive mass support across North Bengal on its demand for a separate Kamtapur state comprising the three North Bengal districts. Its militant ally KLO had close handshaking with ULFA from NE region and carried on series of actions.

Then next in the line is demand of statehood for Cochbehar district. "The old Cochbehar kingdom was supposed to be considered as a state as per the agreement that had brought that old kingdom within Indian territory. But it has been kept as a district only. We want the incorporation agreement to be followed," said Greater Cochlear Democratic Party top leaders. The Greater Coochbehar agitation resulted in five deaths, including a Superintendent of Police and two other policemen in September 2005.

However, "Now it seems to be a matter of time to count the number of fragments of north Bengal," said political observers.