Kolkata:
The Telangana crisis continues to have a domino effect on the demand for smaller states. Now, it's Gorkhaland Kamtapur and Greater Cooch Behar in Bengal.
The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha has put its bandh call and hunger strike on hold for the outcome of the tripartite talks, to be attended by the Union Home Secretary and the state Chief Secretary, among others. The Morcha says if the talks don't yield Gorkhaland, then Darjeeling should brace for more bandhs and hunger strikes. But Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee is not pleased by these threats.
"We (the federal government) are trying to resolve all the problems through discussion and it would be possible when people come to discussion table; exchange of views take place to find a solution acceptable to both sides. But if somebody wants to impose a solution that becomes difficult," he said.
The Telegana impact is being felt across north Bengal. On Sunday, activists of the Kamtapur People's Party blocked National Highway 31 near Siliguri to renew its demand for a separate Kamtapur.
Telengana has also renewed hopes for the separate state of Greater Cooch Behar, a demand that has been simmering for the last 5 to 7 years.
Now, the Kamtapur People's Party, the Greater Cooch Behar Democratic Party and the Greater Cooch Behar Peoples Association have come together under one umbrella - the Separate State Demand Committee. Thirteen committee activists went on hunger strike on December 12.
Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya blames the Opposition Trinamool for fanning the separatist flames.
Both the Trinamool and the Congress has said they are against any division of the state, but North Bengal, clearly, is headed for a period of unrest.
The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha has put its bandh call and hunger strike on hold for the outcome of the tripartite talks, to be attended by the Union Home Secretary and the state Chief Secretary, among others. The Morcha says if the talks don't yield Gorkhaland, then Darjeeling should brace for more bandhs and hunger strikes. But Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee is not pleased by these threats.
"We (the federal government) are trying to resolve all the problems through discussion and it would be possible when people come to discussion table; exchange of views take place to find a solution acceptable to both sides. But if somebody wants to impose a solution that becomes difficult," he said.
The Telegana impact is being felt across north Bengal. On Sunday, activists of the Kamtapur People's Party blocked National Highway 31 near Siliguri to renew its demand for a separate Kamtapur.
Telengana has also renewed hopes for the separate state of Greater Cooch Behar, a demand that has been simmering for the last 5 to 7 years.
Now, the Kamtapur People's Party, the Greater Cooch Behar Democratic Party and the Greater Cooch Behar Peoples Association have come together under one umbrella - the Separate State Demand Committee. Thirteen committee activists went on hunger strike on December 12.
Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya blames the Opposition Trinamool for fanning the separatist flames.
Both the Trinamool and the Congress has said they are against any division of the state, but North Bengal, clearly, is headed for a period of unrest.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
