Sir — This is with regard to the violent agitation for a separate State of Gorkhaland, by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha. Security agencies regard this agitation seriously since it can have serious ramifications on national security. Demonstrations are going on in support of this agitation in different Indian cities which have a large Gorkha population. The point to be noted is that the Gorkhas, according to a majority of them, don’t belong to Darjeeling but are from Nepal.

When Telangana was created, it had large cities and a well-established information technology sector. Haryana has a large agricultural resources to sustain. Gorkhaland will be totally unsustainable as its revenues will be only from tourism — that too for a few months of a year — and it will solely depend on Central grant for sustenance. Though the BJP supports small States, the demand for Gorkhaland can’t be met due to national security reasons also. This could give rise to similar demands across the country in other States, which is undesirable.

A good idea would be to grant a robust economic package with better autonomy to the region.The protestors must show reason.

The Centre's go-ahead for a separate Telangana State will hasten the demand for many new states, including Rayalaseema, Vidharbha, Saurashtra, Hareet Pradesh, Bundelkhand, Purvanachal Pradesh, Bodoland, Gorkhaland, Coorg and North Karnataka.

True, Telangana has been a victim of official apathy since the formation of Andhra Pradesh and has lagged behind other regions in development. But the issue could have been better resolved by granting an economic package to the region.

Sir, Uttar Pradesh Chief minister Mayawati" demand for division of U.P by carving out four states is no doubt a politically motivated wit eye on impeding UP elections,The assembly resolution was passed by voice vote in Ten minutes without giving any chance to members of opposition to discuss this crucial issue.

Though small states ensures better administration and development,Maya 's move may open pandora's Box with demand for statehood for Telangana,Gorkhaland, and Vidharba like.

Division of UP requires indepth consideration as do any new states in India. It seems UP chief Minister Mayawati’s demand of division of UP by carving it out into four states is only a politically motivated move looking to bolster vote bank politics for greater political mileage in the impeding UP election in the next 3-4 months.

You have to see the intent of Mayawati in bringing this assembly resolution which was passed by voice vote in ten minutes without giving any chance to members of opposition for discussing this crucial issue of creating new states. Though small states ensures better administration and development but we have seen a prevailing scenario in the country with the UPA II already grappling with statehood demands from various parts of India. The Telengana agitation has already beome an emotional issue, Gorkhaland is also boiling over, Vidhrbha is also demanding a separate state.

We have seen smaller states bring instabilty and misgovernance. Some are prone to naxalism and terrorism which could threaten national integration. The classical example is of Jharkhand which is still yearning for the promised development.

It is not easy to bifurcate natural resources like mining, power utilities like hydro power etc. Though UP is a very large state with 80 MP’s(15%) some parts of UP have remained largly undeveloped like Bundelkhand. Hence all political groups should address this crucial issue of creating new states with utmost care and sensitivity looking into larger intrest of India otherwise we will find another ten such demands.

This refers to the report, "Cry for new States gets louder" (December 10).

The Government's decision to accept TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao's demand of a separate State of Telangana will have dangerous consequences for the unity and integrity of India as it has opened a way for a large number of such demands from North-East to Vidarbha.

In addition, Mr Rao is guilty of setting a bad precedent as leaders of separatist movements will take recourse to hunger strike in order to get even inappropriate demands accepted by a weak Government.

It is true that the Government of Andhra Pradesh has mostly been apathetic towards the people of Telangana since the formation of the State; hence, the Telangana issue should have been resolved by heeding the locals' demand for a comprehensive development of the region by forming a 'Telangana Development Board' rather than creating a new State.

Sir — It seems Chief Minister Mayawati’s move to divide Uttar Pradesh by carving it into four new States is only politically motivated, coming as it does in the few months before State Assembly election is to take place there.

You have to understand Ms Mayawati’s purpose in getting the resolution passed in the House by voice vote in 10 minutes without giving any chance to members of the Opposition for discussing and debating the crucial issue.

Though small States ensures better administration and development, we have to see the larger scenario prevailing in the country today. UPA2 is already grappling with statehood demands from various parts of India — the Telangana agitation has already become an emotional issue, Gorkhal and is boiling, Vidarbha is demanding a separate State.

We have seen smaller States bring instability and poor governance. They have also been prone to Naxalism and terrorism, which threatens national integration. A good example of this is Jharkhand, which is still crying for development and is troubled by Maoist attacks.