Greater Cooch Behar state demanded

New Delhi, May 16 (UNI) The Government today admitted that it has received number of representation for the formation of Greater Cooch Behar (GCB) State.

The Minister of State of Home Affairs Manikrao Gavit said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha that representations were received from Greater Cooch Behar People's Association (GCBPA) alleging that merger of erstwhile Cooch Behar State with the West Bengal from January 1, 1950 was illegal and unconstitutional. They were demand formation of the GCB state comprising the Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, north and south Dinajpur districts of West Bengal and undivided Goalpara district of Assam, he said.

He said they are also demanding withholding of election to Legislative Assembly of West Bengal from the Cooch Behar area, implementation of promises made in the merger agreement between the Maharaja of Cooch Behar and the Government of India and formation of a caretaker Ministry for administration of Cooch Behar.

The Minister admitted that these matters had not yet been brought before the Inter-State Council, Zonal Council or any other Council/Commission.

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