GCLO Revives Calls for Union Territory Status, Heightens Tensions Along Assam-West Bengal Border
The Greater Cooch Behar Liberation Organisation (GCLO) has resurfaced with renewed demands for Union Territory status for Cooch Behar, escalating tensions along the Assam-West Bengal border. In a bold move, the armed rebel group issued a video message threatening the Government of India and demanding immediate peace talks with the Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO).
The video, widely circulated to the media, portrays GCLO members armed and ready, asserting their readiness to use force if their demands are not met. “We are prepared to shed blood and carry arms to achieve our goal,” stated a spokesperson in the video, signaling a significant escalation since their last warning over a year ago.
The resurgence of the GCLO has sparked concerns of potential unrest in the region. Their demands, including the creation of a Union Territory and negotiations with the KLO, have yet to receive governmental attention, prompting the group’s aggressive stance.
Adding complexity to the situation is the inclusion of Hindi-speaking youths within the GCLO ranks, hinting at a broader support base for their separatist agenda. This development underscores the growing challenge faced by authorities in managing the aspirations of diverse linguistic and cultural groups in the area.
Since February 2023, when the GCLO first emerged with calls for a separate Kamtapur state, their rhetoric has mirrored that of the banned KLO, which advocates for a similar state in tribal regions spanning Assam and North Bengal. The GCLO reiterated their commitment to continue the struggle until their demands are met, echoing sentiments expressed by the KLO earlier this year.
The government’s response to this revived threat will be crucial in maintaining stability and preventing potential violence in the affected states. Immediate measures to engage with the GCLO and address their grievances may prove pivotal in averting a deeper crisis along the Assam-West Bengal border.
