A local court today slapped charges of sedition, criminal conspiracy and waging war against the government against 16 more Greater Cooch Behar Peoples Association supporters who were produced before it for a four-day rail blocade.
The 16, who included four women, one of them 85-year-old, were sent to judicial custody till March 9 by Cooch Behar chief judicial magistrate Selim Ansari.
They were among the 35 arrested in connection with the four-day rail roko at New Cooch Behar station, which ended on Tuesday after a police crack-down.
With today's order, 19 out of the 35 arrested GCPA supporters have been sent to judicial custody till March 3. Ten others have been sent to police custody for ten days till March 9 by the court yesterday.
Like the 13 people produced before the court yesterday, the 16 who appeared in the court today were charged with various sections of IPC, including 120(B) (criminal conspiracy), 121 (waging war against the government of India), 122 (collecting arms to wage war against the government), 123 (facilitate design to wage war), 124(A) (sedition) and 147 (rioting), besides under UAPA, Explosive Substance Act, Maintenance of Public Order Act and sections of Indian Railway Act.
Among those sent to police custody yesterday were two GCPA central committee members Bhabesh Chandra Barman and Girija Sankar Roy.
GCPA supremo Bangshi Badan Barman is absconding since the rail roko was forcibly lifted, police said.
