GUWAHATI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday visited Satipur village in Chirang district of Assam to meet Anant Rai, founder of the Greater Cooch Behar People’s Association. Rai is a descendent of the Cooch Behar Royal family. Amit Shah was accompanied by Assam Health, Education and Finance Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma and Assam BJP state president Ranjeet Kr. Das.
Amit Shah flew from Guwahati in a helicopter and landed at a Bongaigaon Refinery helipad where he was welcomed by BTC Chief Executive Member, Pramod Boro and leaders Govind Basumatary, Ranjit Basumatary, Khanindra Basumatary and went to Anant Rai’s home in Satipur village. The Union Home Minister held an informal discussion at the residence of Anant Rai where they discussed the long standing demands of the Koch people.
Speaking to the Media Anant Rai said that the minister assured special packages and schemes for the Koch people, meeting all the demands of their community. Amit Shah had breakfast instead of lunch at Anant Rai’s residence as there was a public meeting scheduled in Cooch Behar. As per sources, the minister had traditional foods (Til Laddu and Pitha). The Union Home Minister discussed important topics, mainly in view of the upcoming assembly elections in West Bengal. Rai also said that they discussed special packages for the Koch people, special recruitment in the paramilitary force, establishment of a training centre in the name of Koch king ‘Chilarai’.
President of Greater Cooch Behar People’s Association Nirmal Rai, Editor Namita Barman, Secretary Paresh Barman, Cultural Secretary Dhananjay Rai, Assistant Secretary Mithun Barman as well as North Bengal BJP MP Nishit Aparanik, senior BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya were also present in the meeting held at Anant Rai’s residence.
Later the Home Minister went to Madan Mohan Thakurbari (Family deity of the royal Koch dynasty) to offer prayers before attending the public meeting at Cooch Behar in West Bengal.
