By IANS,
Agartala : Two separatist groups in the northeast and another in West Bengal Tuesday pledged to jointly seek independence, saying Manipur, Tripura and the Coochbehar region in north Bengal were forcibly annexed.
“On this occasion of the 59th year of annexation by India of Kamatapur, Manipur and Tripura, the Kamatapur Liberation Organisation (KLO), Manipur People’s Liberation Front (MPLF) and Tripura People’s Democratic Front (TPDF) reaffirm our resolve and determination to regain the sovereignty and independence of our respective states,” a joint statement said.
The three outlawed outfits also vowed to fight together in an attempt to overthrow “Indian colonial rule” from the region.
The TPDF is the political wing of the outlawed All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF), and the MPLF is the umbrella organisation of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), United National Liberation Front (UNLF) and the People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREKAK) – all fighting for independent homelands for the majority Metei community in Manipur.
The KLO is fighting for a greater Kamatapur state comprising Coochbehar and Jalpaiguri districts of West Bengal and some adjoining areas of Assam.
“Kamatapur, the erstwhile independent kingdom of Cooch Behar, was annexed by India after coercing King Jagadwipendra Narayan to sign the ‘merger agreement’ against his own will and that of his people,” the rebel statement said.