The Kamtapur State Demand Council, an apex body of proponents of the Kamtapur state, has again demanded peace talks between the Centre and Jibon Singha, the self-styled chief of the Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO).
The council has threatened a movement across north Bengal if the demand is not met, which can impact the November 13 Sitai bypoll.
“For the past 22 months, Jibon Singha is in Assam, arranged by the Centre. But the Centre has not initiated peace talks for which he was called,” said Tapati Roy Mallick, council president.
In January 2023, Singha and his aides reached BJP-ruled Assam from Myanmar for peace talks, as well as talks on longstanding Rajbanshi demands of statehood and recognition of the Kamtapuri language, reportedly on the Centre's behest, but none was held.
Mallick said that on November 7, they would march to the Jalpaiguri district collectorate and submit memorandums addressed to the Prime Minister and home minister, seeking immediate talks between the Centre and Singha. If the Centre didn't respond within a fortnight, a mega movement would be launched.
