Ex-KLO man a BJP candidate

ANIRBAN CHOUDHURY, TT, Apr 16, 2018 Alipurduar: Two decades ago, Debananda Das had shunned democracy and picked up arms over the demand of separate statehood.

He is, however, back in mainstream now and is into active politics.

The former militant of the Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO) hailing from Kumagram block of Alipurduar --- Kumargram used to be a hotbed of KLO when activities of the militant outfit was at the peak - is contesting as a BJP candidate from a panchayat seat this year.

"The state government has done nothing for us so far. Most of who are back in the mainstream find it tough to earn a living. Those who have a piece of land are into agriculture while others do odd jobs. The apathy from the state's side has prompted me to join BJP. The panchayat where I am contesting is being run by Trinamul and villagers do not get benefits of welfare schemes. That is why I felt it necessary to contest as a BJP candidate this time," said Debananda, who is a trained KLO militant of the first batch and was an associate of self-styled KLO chief Jeevan Singha alias Tamir Das.

In the panchayat elections, he is contesting from a seat of Chengmari panchayat, also under Kumargram block. He has also been the Kumargram block president of the BJP's youth wing for the past one year.

The discontentment articulated by Debananda can be felt among other former militants of the KLO, most of whom are sitting on hopes and exploring options to make a living.

"During the Left rule, a rehabilitation package was planned but it stumbled due to several shortcomings and lack of consistent efforts from the government's side. After Trinamul came to power in 2011, we felt some initiatives would be taken for us. But so far, nothing has come to us," said Mihir Das alias Milton Burma, another former militant.

About three months back, the militants said, the Alipurduar district police had sought their details.

"We managed to gather detail information about as many as 47 former militants and submitted the list to police officers. We were told that the information had been sought from Nabanna. But no further communication has been made with us till now," said another former militant who lives in Uttar Haldibari of Kumargram.

The militants, when told about the recent initiatives by the state to form a development board for the Rajbangshis and two language academies for the Rajbangshi and Kamtapuri languages, sounded disappointed.

"We welcome these initiatives but these would not help us earn a living and run the families. We have said several times that the state can provide us with jobs or else, it can help us with financial assistance so that we can get self-employed," said Mihir, who was arrested during Operation Flushout in Bhutan.

He was released on bail in 2011 and has been doing odd jobs since then.