Kolkata:
Nearly 3000 protesters who had blocked the railway line at Cooch Behar, in north Bengal for the last four days, were dispersed by the police today after a clash. The protesting crowd was demanding a separate state.
The Rail Roko by the Greater Cooch Behar People's Association had claimed at least two lives - passengers who died while the trains were stuck because of the blockage.
Today, police from three districts arrived at new Cooch Behar railway station and tried to persuade the leader Banshi Barman to lift the Rail Roko. When he did not agree, he was arrested, after which his supporters allegedly threw bricks at the police.
The police then resorted to lathi charge and when that did not work, they fired tear gas shells to disperse the mob.
Besides Mr Barman, several other leaders of the movement were also arrested. Many people, including policemen, were injured in the clash. According to latest reports, Mr Barman has been persuaded to call off the Rail Roko.
The Greater Cooch Behar People's Association has been demanding a separate state, some claim for as many as 50 years. In September 2005, the GCPA and three lakh supporters had blocked rail lines in Cooch Behar and were forcibly removed by the police after a clash that cost five lives. Mr Barman, who had been sent to jail, was released three years ago. What triggered this latest Rail Roko is not clear except that state elections are round the corner.
The Rail Roko by the Greater Cooch Behar People's Association had claimed at least two lives - passengers who died while the trains were stuck because of the blockage.
Today, police from three districts arrived at new Cooch Behar railway station and tried to persuade the leader Banshi Barman to lift the Rail Roko. When he did not agree, he was arrested, after which his supporters allegedly threw bricks at the police.
The police then resorted to lathi charge and when that did not work, they fired tear gas shells to disperse the mob.
Besides Mr Barman, several other leaders of the movement were also arrested. Many people, including policemen, were injured in the clash. According to latest reports, Mr Barman has been persuaded to call off the Rail Roko.
The Greater Cooch Behar People's Association has been demanding a separate state, some claim for as many as 50 years. In September 2005, the GCPA and three lakh supporters had blocked rail lines in Cooch Behar and were forcibly removed by the police after a clash that cost five lives. Mr Barman, who had been sent to jail, was released three years ago. What triggered this latest Rail Roko is not clear except that state elections are round the corner.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
