Demand for Koshal may be renewed

With the Centre agreeing to separate statehood for Telangana,a similar movement for Koshal in Orissa is all set to be renewed.

The demand for a separate state of Koshal,to be carved out of western Orissa districts,had gathered momentum in October 2003 after former BJP MP Balgopal Mishra started his movement to generate public opinion in this regard. The districts which Mishra wanted to be included in the Koshal state are Kalahandi,Nuapara,Sambalpur,Deogarh,Jharsuguda,Boudh,Bolangir,Sonepur and Sundargarh.

The name of the new state has been derived from Koshal,an erstwhile princely state of 11th century that comprised these districts and parts of present-day Chhattisgarh. Mishra said he would soon revive the movement. The public sentiment in western Orissa has always been for a separate Koshal state. Its just that the leaders of the region have failed to fulfil it, he said.