Orissa's regional party Kosala Kranti Dal carried out a peaceful demonstration in the state asking for separate Kosal state that would contain 11 districts of Orissa. The rally included more than 1,000 activists.

 

They assembled near the state assembly building carrying banners and posters. They carried on their march on the main street of state capital Bhubaneswar. Police officer Utkal Keshari Das said, "Over 1,000 people staged a peaceful demonstration."

 

The party demanded for a new state that shall have the districts of Bargarh, Bolangir, Boudh, Deogarh, Nuapada, Sambalpur, Subarnapur, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, Koraput, and Sundergarh. In the later part, the party conducted a public meeting wherein a number of speakers stressed the problems encountered by these regions on account of negligence from both the state and central government.

 

Party head Pramod Mishra said in his address, "We have separate Kosali language. Our culture and traditions are different. Our regions are the poorest in India despite having huge mineral and forest wealth."  He added, "Only a separate Kosal state can improve the condition of our people.”

 

Kosal state’s demand came into force since the central government approved to carve out Telangana from Andhra Pradesh.