Creation of Separate Alipurduar District

It is good news to the people of Alipurduar Sub-division that in an All-party meeting convened by the Hon'ble Chief Minister, Mamata Bannerji, on 3rd August 2011, proposal for bifurcating of Jalpaiguri District and creating of a new District called Alipurduar, along with proposal for rechristening the name of the State, was discussed. It is hoped that sooner or later, Alipurduar is going to emerge as a separate District.

Historical Background:

The creation of Alipurduar Sub-division was not smooth. A lengthy controversy took place between J.C. Haughton, the then Commissioner of Cooch Behar Division and Colonel E.A. Rowlatt, respecting the suitability of Alipurduar as a Sub-divisional Station. Colonel Rowlatt wanted that Alipurduar should be made a Sub-division instead of Falakata as recommended by Haughton. At length, Falakata was selected as a Sub-division. The origin of the name of Alipurduar was first reported by D.H.E. Sunder, the then Settlement Officer, in his Settlement Report of the Western Duars, Jalpaiguri District in 1896 in which he reported that Alipurduar was named after the late Colonel Hedayet Ali. Sunder's proposition appears to be unfounded, considering the fact that when Captain Hedayet Ali took the command of Cooch Behar Troops in June 1864, the name Alipur had already existed.

After the conclusion of Anglo-Bhutan War of 1864-65 by a Treaty of Sinchula signed on 12th November 1865, the Western Duars tracts were taken over from the Bhutan Government by the British Government. The British Government then proposed to create a new District called Jalpaiguri and by a Notification dated, Fort William, the 8th December 1868, the name Western Duars was ceased and its Sub-division called Buxa was abolished. Thereupon, a new District called Jalpaiguri was formed on 1st January 1869 with two Sub-divisions - one the Sudder Sub-division with Head-Quarters at Jalpaiguri and the other the Falakata Sub-division with Head-Quarters at Falakata. However, at length, in 1876 the Sub-divisional Station of Falakata was closed and the Sub-divisional Station was transferred to Alipurduar. Since then Alipurduar remained as a Sub-division till this day.

NOBLE STEP :

Presently, the area of Jalpaiguri District is 6,277 sq.km. After remaining as a District for about 142 years, Jalpaiguri is at last going to be divided into two Districts for administrative conveniences. This is certainly not only a noble step but also an historic step on the part of the Hon'ble Chief Minister of West Bengal. We rejoice in her practical concern for overall development of the people in general and in particular for her concern for the people of Alipurduar Sub-Division.

Shri Deba Prasad Roy, a Congress MLA from Alipurduar Assembly Constituency, supported the demand of the creation of Alipurduar District and assured the people that he would voice for the same in the Assembly. His contribution towards the fulfillment of the aspirations of the people is no doubt very great and highly appreciable.

(Compiled & circulated by: N.BURMAN, President, Dooars Terai Nagarik Manch)

                                                    Source : H.Mech