SS Ahluwalia's appointment as minister of state - opinions and reactions

12:56 PM

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SS Ahluwalia

DARJEELING 5 Jul 2016 Darjeeling MP Surendra Singh Ahluwalia’s promotion as a minister of state and induction into the Union cabinet - the first instance for a Member of Parliament from Darjeeling since Independence - has brought mixed reactions from political parties of the hills.

The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha welcomed Ahluwalia’s induction, saying it reflected the respect and sense of inclusiveness the BJP-led government has accorded to the people living in Darjeeling and the Dooars region. In a press statement, GJM president Bimal Gurung congratulated the Darjeeling MP and extended his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“With Ahluwalia joining the Union Cabinet, not only Darjeeling but the entire region of north Bengal will find representation at the highest policy making body of the country, and he will now be able to push for transformation of this region for the better. This also shows Modiji’s commitment towards the people of Darjeeling and we look forward to the day when all our long pending demands will be fulfilled,” Gurung said, without specifying his party’s statehood demand.

Over the years,the Darjeeling hills did have representation in both the lower and upper Houses of Parliament, mostly from the hill units of national parties such as the Congress and the CPM. This is the first time that a Darjeeling MP has been appointed as a minister of state and inducted into the Union Cabinet.

SS Ahluwalia

The All India Gorkha League (AIGL) and the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) too welcomed the development but were cautious with their words. “It is a good gesture for the hills and hope it will benefit us. As for the statehood demand, only time will say what impetus Ahluwalia will bring,” said Pratap Khati, the AIGL general secretary.

NB Chhetri, central committee member of the GNLF, said, “Ahluwalia’s induction into the Union Cabinet will benefit the hills. But it will depend on what portfolio the BJP leader is given.”

The newly formed Jan Andolan Party (JAP) led by Harka Bahadur Chhetri and the Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxist (CPRM) were critical in their observation, saying Ahluwalia’s appointment was aimed at the election in Punjab where the BJP wants to give a face. “The sole agenda of the BJP government in making

Ahluwalia a minister of state is to give a Sikh minister as this will help the party in the Punjab election. It is also a strategy to help the GJM garner votes in the next Lok Sabha election as in the recent state Assembly election, the Morcha’s vote share decreased drastically,” said the JAP chief, adding Ahluwalia’s new role would only be a hindrance to the statehood demand.

CPRM spokesperson Govind Chhetri said, “As MP, Ahluwalia has failed to deliver. And we don’t see anything better happening for the hills with him as a minister of state.” The hill Trinamool Congress said it would only comment after the BJP leader was given a portfolio.


(EOIC)

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MAHAYUDH OR MAHA-CON? - JAP Anmol Prasad

10:56 AM

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Politics

Writes: Anmol Prasad

One cannot help musing on another can of worms that the Gorkha Janmukti has opened through Amar Rai, its candidate in Darjeeling for the Assembly Elections.

“In a statement reported in the papers today, Amar Rai claims that Gorkhaland would have been attained a long time ago but for lack of unity, the movement has been set back.”

If that be so, why murder the sixty-year old AIGL leader Madan Tamang? Was he not championing Gorkhaland? In all his interviews, did he not consistently support the Gorkhaland demand? Did he not appear before the Parliamentary Standing Committee opposing the Sixth Schedule proposal? Is this how the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha proposes to promote unity?

“The good Professor goes further to expound to his credulous readers, that the views expressed by Rahul Sinha, General Secretary of the BJP, that Gorkhaland will not be created are his own views and not that of the BJP.“

JAP Anmol Prasad

If that be so, why then does the BJP not announce the formation of Gorkhaland? Is it still 'sympathetically considering' the matter? Why did the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha outsource our MP seats for two whole terms, claiming that the BJP would grant the Gorkhaland demand?
“Amar Rai claims that the reason for Ahluwalia not placing a Bill for the creation of Gorkhaland in Parliament is that a Private Member's Bill would have less value. “

Of course it would have less value. But then, if the ruling party is in favour of Gorkhaland, what prevents the BJP itself from bringing such a Bill? Why does Ahluwalia have to bring a Private Member's Bill when he is a powerful member of the BJP, if not for the reason that in reality, the BJP does not support the demand?

“Amar Rai claims ‘The demand for Gorkhaland is a Great War’.“

A Great War against whom, if not the BJP itself? This statement is a clear admission of the fact that the BJP is anti-Gorkhaland. Poor Darjeeling, which elected no less than two BJP Members of Parliament successively. The BJP is in an overwhelming majority in the Lok Sabha and in a perfect position to table a Bill for the creation of a new state after Cabinet approal. The parties in the Rajya Sabha have not gone on record opposing the demand. What then is the need for a Great War if not for fighting the BJP. If that be so the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha must stop hoodwinking the people, it must come clean and admit that its masters in New Delhi have rejected the proposal for the creation of a separate state.

The sad truth is that the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha is now rudderless. It's leader does not have the political depth needed for spearheading the demand. It desperately needs patronage from New Delhi to protect itself against the various charges of murder, corruption and violence it has unleashed in the hills through its militia. Therefore it distracts the people by raising miscellaneous issues of development such as the failure of the Gorkland Territorial Administration, the recognition of communities as Scheduled Tribes, water shortage and [its favourite bogey] discrimination by Bengal. Having fastened its toothless gums on the mammaries of the welfare state, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha finds it hard to let go of power. Which is what it should do, if it claims to be the champions of Gorkhaland. The fact of the matter is that the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha is actually in a crisis and one may expect it to try and reinvent itself as a development-oriented party, if Amar Rai's obsession with affairs municipal is anything to go by.

The role of the intellectual is to speak truth to power. None of us here in Darjeeling can lay any claim to any intellectuality; suffice it to say that when even the districts' educated bourgeoise, made up of the Amar Rais, the Swaraj Thapas, the Rohit Sharmas and the Sarita Rais continue to support and perpetuate a corrupt and violent fascist regime for their own selfish interests, when they fail to stand up and speak the truth to power, the future is very bleak indeed. One cannot but cringe when one hears Sarita Rai announce during her campaign that she would resign from the Legislative Assembly at once, the moment Bimal Gurung gives her the order. And this, even before she has been elected as an MLA.

Be warned: the BJP and its allies will never ever grant Gorkhaland. The real adversary to the creation of a separate state is the Central Government. The BJP does not want the formation of India's 30th state and will never accede to the demand. It's inconsistent and ham-fisted policies in Nepal have deeply coloured its perceptions towards Darjeeling and its people. It fails to see us as fully paid up Indian citizens and will continue to demoralise and distract us by extending patronage our past, present and future Bimal Gurungs so that the movement for a separate state gets driven into the ground. Over and over again. Unless we take our future into our own hands, organise a democratic, secular and broad-based leadership bereft of tin pot dictators like Bimal Gurung.

In a sense Amar Rai is right. It's going to be a Great War after all.

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CPRM announced Assembly election candidates from three hill constituencies

9:56 AM

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Politics

Darjeeling 20 Mar 2016 The Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxist today announced the names of its candidates from the three hill constituencies for the Assembly election. The CPRM, which was formed in 1996 by disgruntled CPM leaders of the Darjeeling hills, has never contested Assembly elections. The party had earlier short listed two names from each hill constituency.

CPRM president RB Rai, the former Rajya and Lok Sabha MP from Darjeeling, announced the candidates’ names after a meeting of the party’s central committee. CPRM spokesperson Govind Chhetri will contest from Darjeeling, Arun Ghatani, general secretary of the Democratic Revolutionary Youth Front (DRYF), will stand from Kurseong, while CPRM central committee member Kishore Pradhan has been fielded from Kalimpong. Until now, the CPRM had not fielded its own candidates for the state Assembly and Lok Sabha elections, partnering with or supporting candidates of other parties including that of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha.

While announcing the names, the CPRM president said, “Our primary agenda is a Gorkhaland state as also development and parcha-patta (land rights) of tea garden workers. However, it appears that none of the political parties have taken up this agenda in earnest, which is why we have decided to field our own candidates.”

When asked whether the party had kept the option open for an alliance despite fielding its own candidates, Rai said, “Any alliance will depend on the other parties accepting our agenda, otherwise we will go on our own.”

The CPRM came into being after most CPM leaders of the hills dissociated themselves from the parent body saying it was against the statehood demand. The party has continued to give priority to the statehood demand since then.

“The issue of our identity is of primary concern. We may or may not achieve a separate state, but we will continue to work towards achieving it under all circumstances,” Rai said.

On whether there was any plan for an alliance with the Democratic Front – the conglomeration of four political parties including the CPRM - Rai said it was an altogether separate matter. “The Front was formed with the twin objectives of a speedy trial of the Madan Tamang murder case and restoration of democracy in the hills. The issue of elections was not discussed even though some Front leaders had wanted to field consensual candidates,” he said.

The Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), the All India Gorkha League (AIGL), and the Darjeeling Sikkim Ekikaran Manch (DSEM) - the other three constituents of the DF - are yet to announce their decision on the upcoming Assembly election.

(EOIC)

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2016 Elections Darjeeling hills - discussing the possibilities

8:23 AM

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Politics

2016 ELECTIONS: PERMUTATIONS AND COMBINATIONS – DISCUSSING THE POSSIBILITIES

Writes : Upendra

The Chinese have a saying, “may you live in interesting times”... it is both a blessing and a curse. Interesting times could mean, a time of widespread success or even a time of utter chaos. As far as Darjeeling is concerned, it almost feels like someone or the other wished us “interesting times.”

Elections are here folks, and Darjeeling as usual is simmering with tension under the surface. There is a curiosity about the newly formed Jan Andolan Party, and old guards of GNLF are reviving their loyalty towards “Hariyo Jhanda.”CPRM and AIGL have remained in the sidelines as the drama unfolds; Congress and CPI(M) have been more or less silent too. GJM in the meanwhile is trying to hold on to the people, and even though they have made new friends in the Terai and Dooars, some old comrades are leaving them and siding with TMC.

Since we haven’t had Panchayat elections, the only reference point we have to evaluate the political possibilities in the three hill constituencies are the data from 2014 MP elections. Much has changed on the grounds since then, however, this is the only data point we have to compare and contrast some political possibilities in the coming days.

In 2014 elections, GJM supported BJP candidate Shri. SS Ahluwalia garnered a total of 289,017 votes, where as the entire opposition had garnered 161,714 votes (including the NOTA). It is interesting to note that None of the Above (NOTA) had garnered more votes than candidates from CPI(M), Congress and Gorkha Rastriya Congress. Dr. Mahendra P Lama was then supported by CPRM, DDUDF, BGP and AIGL; and Mr. Bhaihung Bhutia of TMC was supported by GNLF.

All said and done, GJM had garnered 55% more votes than the entire opposition combined.

This means that for the opposition parties to win in the hill region, they need to come together and after that, try and get at least 60% votes swing in their favour. Despite all their flaws, GJM base is holding strong and even if there is a swing, a massive 60% swing against them is highly unlikely, at least in the upcoming elections. Also the entire Hill opposition coming together to contest elections are exceedingly improbable.

This thus, opens up a wide range of possibilities for collaborations amongst the various political entities in our hills.

THOSE ASPIRING FOR GORKHALAND
Amongst the political parties championing the cause of Gorkhaland are GJM, GNLF and CPRM. Their methods and how they aspire to achieve it are markedly different though. CPRM doesn’t believe in interim set ups like GTA, and if it was up to them, they would rather dissolve GTA and continue the struggle for Gorkhaland statehood outright. GNLF on the other hand is currently seeking Schedule VI status for the GTA region, with the eventual aim of attaining Gorkhaland.

Meanwhile GJM is running the GTA and to be honest their situation is like the classic Nepali proverb – “Khayis ta hasiya, abo hagera hyer.” For them GTA is something they cannot afford to give up for the fear of Bengal running it through various proxies, and at the same time, they have not been able to run GTA the way it was expected to function.

Indeed there are multiple reasons for improper functioning of GTA, the primary factor being the non-transfer of funds, departments and powers by the Bengal government. Add to that the haphazard and often arbitrary functioning of the party bosses, and a system of nepotism and corruption has made GTA an almost non-functional administrative body, without any real powers. This has resulted in gross disenchantment amongst the general public against the usefulness of GTA, and thus their growing anger towards GJM.

However, currently GJM still continues to strive for Gorkhaland state and that is perhaps what is keeping their base from deserting them en masse.

THOSE ASPIRING FOR DEVELOPMENT
Making a marked shift from the usual ‘Gorkha’ and ‘Gorkhaland’ rhetoric, the Jan Andolan Party is silently increasing their support base. Their focus is in ensure

Via TheDC

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Democratic Front holds first public meeting in‪ Darjeeling‬

7:52 AM

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Sixth Schedule

The Democratic Front, a conglomeration of four political parties formed for restoration of democracy in the hills, held its first public meeting today in Darjeeling over various issues plaguing the region and lambasted the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and state government for turning a blind eye to those issues. The front picked out issues like the deteriorating law and order, undemocratic ways of the GJM and its insincerity towards the statehood demand including the apathy being shown by the state government in solving the Madan Tamang murder case.

The front’s members constitute the All India Gorkha League (AIGL), the Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxist (CPRM), the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) and the Sikkim Darjeeling Ekikaran Manch (SDEM). Pratap Khati, the AIGL general secretary and the DF convener, alleged the GJM of being involved in corruption and anti-national activities and demanded a probe. “From where is the GJM getting funds to run the party? Bimal Gurung is not a millionaire and does not have any known source of income. The central government should start a probe in this regard,” he said. Khati also pointed to the mysterious disappearance of Sanjay Thulung, the GJM central leader and Sabhasad accused of being involved in the Assam arms haul case earlier this year. “As per police investigations, Thulung is involved in anti-national activities. GJM leaders frequently visit the Northeast, which is the hub of insurgents. Although the GJM refutes this, but nothing happens without Gurung’s directives,” alleged the AIGL general secretary.

The DF convener also raked up the Madan Tamang murder issue saying the state government should initiate a judicial commission to investigate and get to the bottom of the case. “He (Tamang) was the only voice of democracy in the hills and he sacrificed his life to uphold it. However, nothing has been done by the state government to provide justice to the slain leader’s family. We demand the case be handled by a Special Investigation Team,” he said.

Tamang, who was the AIGL president, was hacked to death on May 21, 2010 in broad daylight in Darjeeling while overseeing preparations for the party’s public meeting. Investigating agencies have named several GJM leaders and activists in their charge sheet. Some of the leaders thus named have filed for bail for which the next hearing is scheduled on November 17. Govind Chhetri, spokesperson for the CPRM. alleged that the GJM and the BJP had betrayed the statehood demand. “We elected Jaswant Singh and SS Ahluwalia of the BJP as MPs but they have not worked for the statehood demand. The GJM president has embarked on a padyatra for Gorkhaland but it is only eyewash, to confuse the people,” he said.

Biren Lama of the GNLF, on the other hand, advocated for bringing the hills under the ambit of the Sixth Schedule, which he said would solve all existing problems. “We want the hills to be brought under the Sixth Schedule. And this is why the GJM’s demand for tribal status for various communities of the hills now has started,” he said. The front, however, did not announce its future political programmes saying it would do so after a meeting of its senior leaders in the days to come. 

Via: EOIC, pic: Himalaya Darpan

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Bharati Tamang to Write to High Court Over Expediting Madan Tamang Murder case Hearing

8:39 AM

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murder

Writes: Vivek Chhetri

Bharati Tamang, the wife of slain ABGL leader Madan Tamang, has said she will write to the chief justice of Calcutta High Court to expedite the process of hearing the anticipatory bail pleas of Bimal Gurung and 22 other Morcha leaders named in the CBI chargesheet on the murder of her husband.

The Democratic Front, a conglomeration of four political outfits from the hills - the ABGL, CPRM, GNLF and Sikkim-Darjeeling Ekikaran Manch - today took the decision.

Pratap Khati, the convener of the front and general secretary of the ABGL, said: "Bharati Tamang has decided to write to the chief justice of Calcutta High Court to expedite the process of hearing the anticipatory bail application. We have faith in the judiciary system but the continuous delay in passing an order on the anticipatory bail application is making us frustrated. Even if bail has to be granted, let it be granted but we would request the court to pass an order on this application."

Bharati, who was seated beside Khati, said: "I will send the letter in the next few days."

The hearing of the anticipatory bail application is slated for November 17.

The CBI had named Gurung and senior Morcha leaders like Roshan Giri, Binay Tamang, Bhupendra Pradhan, Asha Gurung, Lt Col (retd) Ramesh Allay and others in a chargesheet filed at a city session court in Calcutta on May 29.

Harka Bahadur Chhetri, the Kalimpong MLA who resigned from the Morcha recently, is among the 23 named in the chargesheet.

Tamang was hacked to death in Darjeeling on May 21, 2010, by suspected Morcha supporters when he was preparing to hold a public meeting.

Source: Telegraph

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Bharati Tamang discharged from the Hospital

11:46 AM

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Politics

 Ms. Bharati Tamang, AIGL President and wife of Late Madan Tamang has recovered from health complication arising after her hunger strike and has been released from the hospital.

Speaking to the press briefly Ms. Tamang said, "I respect the law of the land and I have full faith in the court systems..."

She added, "I do feel weak, so I will be heading home straight away, as doctors have advised me to take complete rest... I will decide on the future course of action only after that..."

No one from AIGL or Democratic Front, under whose banner Ms. Bharati Tamang had launched her hunger strike, were present at the hospital, and only her family members were present.

Apparently all the AIGL leaders had gone to meet Bengal Chief Minister Mamata at that time, where as other Democratic Front leaders had a meeting going on at the same time.

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CBI charge-sheet wave rattles hill politics sans homeland issue

10:40 PM

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Politics

Anand Ghatani for Indian  Gorkhas

Darjeeling June 11: A charge sheet from CBI to top rung Gorkha leaders in the hills have suddenly rattled political continuum has become evident since a week. But more than political hustle-bustle the prime issue vis-à-vis Gorkhaland, around which politics has revolved since decades looks to be a by-gone discussion all of a sudden.

Gorkhaland looks to be a by-gone discussion all of a sudden

A first hand analysis reckons arrest of top GJM leaders will certainly boil the hills into another crisis. But will the crises bring in another round of agitation for Gorkhaland has so far not been in the mouth of the leaders irrespective of any parties.

The political moves so far have been self-centric. While the AIGL and the Democratic Front (DF) has the only motive ‘arrest of GJM leaders’ and ‘justice to Madan Tamang’, the GJM which has the command of the hills until today has been busy trying to escape the CBI charge-sheet heat. However, sources on Thursday said frontal organizations of the GJM have been making a bee-line to Patlabash, where GJM headquarter is stationed, to meet their chief Bimal Gurung. The meets are closed door and what transpires in the meeting has not been made public.

The GNLF, prime opposition party to GJM, interestingly is looking to use the situation to make a comeback. The green party which once ruled the hills for two decades is reportedly holding meetings with its supporters which sends signal of re-grouping to take back the command. Many in the political circles here feel that once top rung GJM leaders get arrested, chances for GNLF revival looks bright.

Above all the state government is playing its card quietly. Without uttering a signal word the state government is surely looking dividends from the situation that has chipped in the hills. The state chief minister has reportedly washed off hands on the CBI charge sheet wave. “The state government has nothing to do in the investigation,” the chief minister has been quoted as saying by several vernacular dailies.

Not all but some leaders in the hills have accepted that the CBI charge-sheet is a procedure to halt separate statehood demand. “I am not a happy person. At a time when there is BJP government at the centre, the platform should have been utilized. There is a conspiracy going on I feel to malign the Gorkha community. The conspirators want to prove that Gorkhas are such people who kill their own people,” Dawa Pakhrin, the Gorkha Rajya Nirman Morcha president told a press conference in Kalimpong.

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Bharati sets Sunday deadline for fast onto death stir, DF prepares Sunday address

10:21 PM

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madan tamang

Darjeeling June 11: If the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leaders are a worried lot at present in the hills, the opposition (read anti-GJM outfits), specifically AIGL, are not far behind. Apprehensive of CBI taking its time to arrest top rung GJM leaders despite warrant being issued, Bharati Tamang, the AIGL president has decided to sit on a fast onto death stir from Sunday.

Political forum–'Democratic Front' in Darjeeling

Twenty-three GJM leaders of high profile has been charge sheeted by the CBI on the Madan Tamang murder case. A Calcutta city court has already issued warrant of arrest for the 23 leaders including Bimal Gurung, the GJM chief. However, with GJM filing anticipatory bail at the Calcutta High court and hearing for the same pending because of cease work for three days, the party which rules the GTA is a worried lot.

The CBI whatsoever has not arrested anyone so far and things have no gone well with the AIGL. “The fast onto death is a last resort for me. The CBI is only dillydallying arrest,” Tamang told journalists on Thursday. Bharati Tamang is also the widow of slain leader Madan Tamang.
Tamang had been murdered on May 21, 2010 under broad daylight at Clubside in Darjeeling while overseeing preparation for a public address that he was to make on the very day.

Bharati’s fast onto death is expected to be followed by a public meeting on Sunday to be organized by the Democratic Front (DF). The DF is a conglomeration of four anti-GJM hill parties formed with an aim to return democracy in the hills. The conglomerate also vouches to work for seeking justice in the Madan Tamang murder case.  The DF comprises of the AIGL, Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxist, Gorkha National Liberation Front and the Sikkim Darjeeling Merger Forum.

“Permission has been applied for the meet on Sunday. We have also put up posters to sensitize the mass in the hills,” said Shankar hang Subba, the spokesperson for DF.

CPIM withdrawal 

Ironically, days after the formation of the conglomerate the CPIM has withdrawn itself from the DF. The CPIM top leadership in the district feels that the DF should also take up other issues. “The Madan Tamang murder is a sub-judice matter and we find no point is seeking justice through a forum seems redundant. So we withdrew,” said Saman Pathak, a CPIM district secretariat member.

The DF countered saying that the CPIM’s decision to step back has many reasons. “The CPIM was heading the Government when Madan Tamang was murdered. The role of the then West Bengal Government on this issue is murky. Why were there no adequate security arrangements despite anticipation of trouble? How did Nickol Tamang, supposed to be the mastermind of the murder, disappear from the custody of the CID?” said Pratap Khati, the ABGL secretary.

Source: The Himalayan Mirror

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Widow of late Madan Tamang to fast unto death, Morcha in deep trouble

8:22 PM

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gjm

Bharati Tamang, widow of late Madan Tamang, is going for fast unto death at Chowrasta in Darjeeling  from 14th June 2015. The decision was taken in order to protest against CBI for non execution of warrant of arrest issued by Ld. District and session court Kolkata against Bimal Gurung and 22 chargesheeted accused in connection with broad daylight murder of late Madan Tamang at club side, Darjeeling on 21.5.2010.

Bharati Tamang, Widow of late Madan Tamang to fast unto death

The declaration was made by AIGL general secretary Pratap Khati in the social media.

"No stay order has been issued as yet against the warrant of arrest. So why is the CBI delaying?" said Khati

The AIGL leader also demanded seizure of passports of the 23 GJM leaders.

The AIGL has written to the CBI director to apprise them about the delay and gave the agency 24-hour time failing which the fast will begin.

The CBI which was probing the Madan Tamang murder case, has recently filed its final chargesheet and named the entire GJM leadership including its president Bimal Gurung, his wife, party's Kalimpong MLA Harka Bahadur Chhetri and Roshan Giri. Further Session Court Kolkata has issued arrest warrants against all the key leaders in connection with the murder of All India Gorkha League (AIGL) leader Tamang.

On the other hand Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) on Wednesday decided not to go for any immediate agitation in Darjeeling and wait till June 23.

GJM leadership in deep trouble over the CBI charge sheet had already taken up the issue with the top BJP leaders in Delhi as well as Union home minister. But neither the Centre nor the top BJP leaders in Delhi have offered any sort of help to the GJM leadership hence they are upset with the BJP.

During Wednesday's meeting at Patlebas in Darjeeling, many GJM leaders expressed their resentment about the role played by the BJP leadership in Delhi.

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Bharati Tamang threatens fast-unto-death demanding arrest of GJM leaders

6:41 PM

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madan tamang

Bharati Tamang, the widow of slain All India Gorkha League (AIGL) leader Madan Tamang on Tuesday threatened to go on to fast till death, to demand immediate arrest of the 23 Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leaders against whom a city court in Kolkata has issued a warrant of arrest.

Bharati Tamang

AIGL general secretary Pratap Khati argued that there was an undue delay in execution of the arrest. “No stay order has been issued as yet against the warrant of arrest. So why is the CBI delaying in
making the arrest of the 23 accused,” he asked.

After the court issued the warrant of arrest, the AIGL leadership had expressed its gratitude the CBI for filing the charge sheet against the top rung GJM leaders in the Madan Tamang murder case.
On June 6, the city and session’s court in Kolkata directed the CBI to execute the arrest of the GJM leaders within June 26. This after the central agency had filed its final supplementary charge sheet in the court on May 29.

However, on Tuesday the slain AIGL leader’s widow expressing surprise in the delay in the arrest by the CBI said: “The court has directed the execution of the warrant of arrest. We do not why the CBI is delaying in making the arrest. Since there are no other options with us, we have decided to fast on to death”.

Nine GJM leaders have already filed for anticipatory bail in the high court on Monday. The bail plea has been made by Bimal Gurung, Roshan Giri, Binay Tamang, Colonel Ramesh Allay, P.T.Ola, Pradeep Pradhan, Asha Gurung, Urmila Rumba and Kalimpong MLA Harka Bahadur Chhetri.

The AIGL has also written to the CBI director and joint director to apprise them about the delay. “We have written to the Central agency director demanding the accused to be arrested as soon as possible. We will give the CBI 24 hours’ time after they receive our letter that we posted today. After this we will go on a fast till death,” Khati said.

The AGIL leader also demanded the seizure of passports of the 23 GJM leaders. “Today we have also written to the passport office in Kolkata asking them to seize the passports of all the accused GJM leaders. There is always the possibility that they (accused) may try to escape the arrest,” Khati said. Initially, the CID had been asked to probe the Madan Tamang murder case. The state agency had arrested primed accused Nicole Tamang, a GJM central committee leader on August 16, 2010. However, he managed to escape mysteriously from Pintail Village near Siliguri on August 22, 2010, while being interrogated by the sleuths. He remains untraceable.

Source:EOI

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In solidarity with Late Madan Tamang after arrest warrant of top GJM leaders

9:47 AM

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Politics

People in the hills were anxiously waiting for the result of the hearing on the Madan Tamang Murder case on 6th June Saturday. As the news of the arrest warrant being issued against GJM ( Gorkha Janmukti Morcha) top leaders including Bimal Gurung trickled in, the crowd started to gather outside AIGL (All India Gorkha League) office in Ladenla Road in Darjeeling.

Supporters and Well Wishers Paying Solidarity To Late
 AIGL Former Chief  Madan Tamang in Memorial 

Members of the newly formed 'Democratic Front' joined AIGL leaders in the office, where Ms. Bharati Tamang - wife of Late. Madan Tamang and the current AIGL President, was also present, and offered their solidarity.

In a symbolic gesture, supporters and well wishers  gathered at AIGL office then moved to upper club-side to the Madan Tamang memorial and lighted candles.

Speaking briefly to the Press, Ms. Bharati Tamang said, "the court order issued today is a testament to the fact that truth always prevails... we are happy and thankful to the court."

Via: TheDC

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GJM BJP relation likely to suffer in Darjeeling after CBI Chargesheet

7:56 PM

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madan tamang

Relations between BJP and Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) in Darjeeling is likely to suffer as the CBI has named top party leaders like president Bimal Gurung and 21 others in its chargesheet in Madan Tamang murder case.

GJM chief with Narendra Modi and S.S. Ahluwalia before election during Modi's Siliguri visit.

Tamang was the All-India Gorkha League (AIGL) president and was murdered in broad daylight in Darjeeling town in May 2010. The CID was probing the case and had also filed charge sheet. But Tamang's wife Bharati moved Calcutta High Court seeking a CBI investigation and the court had granted her prayer and asked the CBI to take up the case.

The CBI, which was probing the murder case, had submitted its last and final charge sheet in a city court here on last Friday. In the charge sheet, the CBI named top GJM leaders like its president Bimal Gurung, his wife Asha, party MLA from Kalimpong assembly seat Harkabahadur Chhetry, party's general secretary Roshan Giri, Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) chief Pradip Pradhan and other leaders of GJM.

GJM is a political ally of BJP since 2009 when the Gorkhas had supported BJP in 2009 Lok Sabha elections. Last year too, BJP's SS Alhuwalia won Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat with support from the GJM. But the charge sheet filed by the CBI naming almost all top leaders of the party has certainly unnerved the GJP top leadership and they have already contacted BJP leadership in Delhi.

GJM MLA Harkabahadur Chhetry was in Kolkata on Monday and when contacted, he refused to say anything on the issue. But senior GJM leaders told ET over phone from Darjeeling that they will hold a meeting in the Hills on June 7 to explain their position. GJM leaders also informed that they were consulting legal experts both in Kolkata and Delhi and will fight the case legally and politically. Fearing arrests by the CBI, GJM leaders are also planning to move courts for obtaining anticipatory bail.

A senior GJM leader told ET that they had already talked to the Darjeeling MP Alhuwalia who asked them not to go for any violent movement in Darjeeling hills immediately. "Mamata Banerjee government is very happy with the CBI charge sheet as the Central probe agency has named our top leaders in Tamang murder case. The CM doesn't want GJM to flourish as she has opposed our demand for a separate Gorkha state. But we expect help and support from top BJP leaders in Delhi. Our leaders are also plann .

West Bengal BJP president Rahul Sinha ruled out possibility of any deterioration in their relationship with GJM over the CBI charge sheet. "Naming someone in a charge sheet does not mean that the persons is guilty.We maintain a cordial relationship with the GJM and it will continue," Sinha claimed.

Source: economictimes

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Democratic Front in Darjeeling formed, support CBI probe in Madan Tamang case

9:37 AM

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Politics

In early 2000, the All India Gorkha League(AIGL), the Communist Party Revolutionary Marxist(CPRM) and a few other parties in the hills of  Darjeeling had come together to form under the leadership of Madan Tamang the People’s Democratic Front(PDF) against the highhandedness of the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF).

The PDF did not last long, but the wheels have turned full circle and again, with the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha(GJM) cornered in the wake of the CBI filing its final charge-sheet against top GJM leaders in the Madan Tamang murder case, five opposition parties in the hills have been quick to react and form a Democratic Front(DF) with the sole aim of restoration of democracy in the hills.

The constituents of DF are Madan Tamang’s own party All India Gorkha League (AIGL), Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxist (CPRM), Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), CPM and the Sikkim Darjeeling Ekikaran Manch (SDEM).

AIGL general secretary Pratap Khati who was appointed convener of the newly formed outfit on Tuesday after a meeting said: “After Madan Tamang’s murder and looking at the current political situation of the hills, we felt the need to retrospect on ways to move ahead. Keeping this in mind, our priority unanimously is restoration of democracy. Therefore we formed the Front, today”.
Elaborating on the issue in hand, CPRM president R.B.Rai said time was right to form such an organization that would work towards bringing back democracy in the Hills. “The AIGL leader was murdered five years ago. But things are hotting up now with the CBI charge -sheet against GJM leaders. Democracy does not imply only to the AIGL but has implications for others too,” he explained.

Democratic Front poster in Darjeeling

On the question of forming a platform only for restoring democracy and not other political agenda, the CPRM leader said, “There are various demands of different political entities of the Hills. However, what is the use of other things, when something as basic as democracy is
missing”. Rai appealed to people to extend support to the newly formed Front. “At present politics in the hills is not free and fair and there is an underlying fear among people about their security. People should come out and support our endeavour,” he said.

The Front has not yet chalked out its strategies but said they would first start by meeting Bengal Governor Kesharinath Tripathi, who is presently in Darjeeling, putting up posters in the Hill town propagating their demand and even writing to both the state government and the Centre. “We will meet the Governor and apprise him about our objective of forming the Front and also about the CBI charge-sheet. There is sufficient evidence against the GJM leaders in our leader’s murder,” Khati said.

Mani Kamal Chhetri, the GNLF Darjeeling branch secretary said his party decided to join hand to strongly support the CBI initiatives.

The Front had also invited the Trinamool Congress, BJP and the Congress but their representatives did not attend Tuesday’s meeting.

Darjeeling district Trinamool president  Rajen Mukhia, when asked to confirm the invitation said his party would not join the Front but only extend moral support. “We will not join but extend moral support. As for the CBI charge sheet against the GJM leaders, we feel that if
proved guilty they should be arrested,” he said.

Later in the day GJM assistant secretary Binay Tamang issued a statement to counter the Democratic Front. “If the Front had been formed for a separate Gorkhaland state then we would have welcomed it. It is only a gimmick of the various inactive political parties for its survival in the Hills,” reads Tamang’s statement.

On the democracy claim, the GJM assistant reminded the Front that their member parties had failed to take a stand during the 22 years of GNLF misrule and anarchy when, unlike in the present situation, the voices of dissent had been curtailed.


Source: EOI

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GJM senior leaders to Delhi and Kolkata for legal consultation

10:09 AM

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National

The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) party is in damage control mode and has sent its senior leaders to Delhi and Kolkata for legal consultation after the CBI on Friday named 23 party president Bimal Gurung and 22 other leaders, in their charge sheet in the Madan Tamang murder case.

Senior  GJM leader at the Bagdogra - file photo

On Sunday, the GJM announced a public meeting on June 7 in Darjeeling, to pacify party supporters and talk about the implications of the charge-sheet filed by the Central agency. “We will hold a massive public meeting on June 7 where our 20 frontal organizations and units from the Terai and Dooars will participate,” said Binay Tamang, the GJM assistant secretary

Meanwhile, murdered All India Gorkha League (AIGL) leader Madan Tamang’s widow Bharati Tamang has mounted pressure, demanding custodial interrogation of the accused. On Saturday, expressing happiness with the CBI filing its final charge sheet naming top rung Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leaders and hoped that justice would finally prevail, after a long wait.

Darjeeling MLA Trilok Kumar Dewan and municipality chairman Amar Singh Rai and Kurseong MLA Rohit Sharma and civic chief Samirdeep Blon have been sent to Delhi. Similarly, P.T.Ola and Tilak Chandra Roka have been sent to Kolkata to seek legal opinion.

Sources within the party said, “The party is keeping all options including legal ones in the aftermath of the CBI charge sheet. In fact, the leadership is already in touch with the BJP in Delhi and seeking their advice”. The BJP is the GJM’s political ally. The GJM helped the saffron party to win the 2009 and 2014 Lok Sabha elections from the Darjeeling parliamentary constituency.
The All India Gorkha League (AIGL) leader was hacked to death in broad daylight on May 21, 2010 in the heart of the town in Darjeeling while overseeing preparation for a public meeting on that fateful day..

Asked about the agenda for the public meeting, Tamang said, “We will disclose the issue on the day of the public meeting. However, looking at the present situation, we appeal to the people to maintain peace”.
The GJM assistant secretary, who has also been named by the CBI in its charge-sheet refused to elaborate on the development. “All those named in the charge-sheet are innocent. Let the law take its own course. We believe in the judiciary but want an impartial investigation,” Tamang said.
Besides, Gurung and Tamang, the CBI has named GJM general secretary Roshan Giri and 20 others including Gurung’s wife Asha Gurung, who is the party’s Nari Morcha, chief. The list also includes seven GJM women workers and leaders. The CBI has also named Kalimpong MLA Harka Bahadur Chhetri, Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) Sabha chairman Bhupendra Pradhan, GTA deputy chief executive Col  Ramesh Allay(Retd) and Devendra Sharma a senior party leader.

"Me, wife Asha, party MLA Harkabahadur Chettri and all others in the Morcha are innocent and we are victims of a conspiracy," GJM president Bimal Gurung told a hastily-called press conference on Saturday.

The GJM leader, who refrained from elaborating on the conspiracy, said: "We have faith in the judicial system and let the truth come out about the murder."
One of the prime accused Nicole Tamang, a central committee leader, who was arrested on August 16, 2010 managed to escape from Pintail Village near Siliguri on August 22 while being questioned by CID, a state agency.

Pema Tamang, wife of Nicole, had moved a habeas corpus before the Calcutta High Court saying that her husband be traced. The High Court had then directed the CBI to take up the Madan Tamang murder case and the Nicole Tamang disappearance case.
In 2011, the CBI on the direction of the Supreme Court took over the probe and in its supplementary charge sheet added the name of Dipen Malay, a GTA Sabhasad from the Pokhriabong-Chamung constituency.

Tamang also questioned the timing of the charge-sheet saying it smacked of conspiracy. “When we are nearing our goal of a separate state, this (charge sheet) happened,” he said.
Interestingly, the GJM has organized a week long “chandi puja” from May 30 to June 5, to attain strength which coincides with the CBI charge-sheet. “The puja is for ‘shakti’. It will also help cleanse our mind and destroy enemies,” Tamang said without specifying further.

“Naming senior GJM leaders in the AIGL president’s murder is a deep political conspiracy. However, we are confident that truth will ultimately prevail and the GJM leaders who have been framed will be proved innocent. We have full faith in the judiciary system,” Jyoti Kumar Rai, GJM assistant secretary issued a press statement, said after a meeting on Saturday.

“I am very happy that the CBI has filed its charge sheet. The agency is doing its duty. Now, I feel we will finally get justice,” said Bharati Tamang, widow of the murdered AIGL leader, on Saturday. “We are continuing our fight for justice even though the murder took place five years ago. My husband’s murder was the assassination of democracy, therefore justice must be given,” Bharati said.

The CID had first taken up the Madan Tamang murder case and had submitted a charge sheet figuring names of 30 GJM leaders and activists, including that of Nicole Tamang. “The murder is an open book and everyone knows who did it. All I want is that the culprits/accused be arrested and punished,” said Bharati.

All those named in the state and central agency’s charge-sheet are presently out on bail and two including Nicole are absconding while one accused Dil Kumar Rai was found dead
in his home on December 28, 2011.

Govind Chhetri of the Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxist (CPRM) party welcoming the development said the matter should not be politicized. “It is like the case of better late than never. We believe in our court and hope that it will give the correct judgment
without prejudice,” he said.

Source: EOI

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AIGL Demands Immediate Arrest of All Accused in Madan Tamang Murder Case

9:19 AM

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madan tamang

The Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League (AIGL) has demanded provisioning of protection for all the witnesses and immediate arrest of all the accused in the Madan Tamang Murder Case.

Pic via: Himalaya Darpan, AIGL top brass meeting in Darjeeling

Following the CBI Chargesheet, the AIGL top brass met at their Darjeeling office.

Speaking to the press, AIGL General Secretary Laxman Pradhan said, "we welcome the chargesheet filed by the CBI... and we are thankful to everyone who made this possible... justice should be done and all those involved must be made to face the consequences of their crime."

Senior AIGL Leader Pratap Khati saidm "we are very happy with the chargesheet, as through this action CBI has restored peoples faith in judicial system of our country..."

Demanding protection for the witnesses, Mr. Khati said, "all those people who are a witness to this crime need to be given protection by the administration, as all those accused are highly influential and can leverage their position to cause the witness to change their statement."

Mr. Khati further added, "CBI must have solid prima facie evidence on the basis of which they have filed the chargesheet, so all those accused need to be arrested immediately, as the can influence the witness... and given the fact that those accused have a history of having done so... they need to be arrested immediately."

Speaking on the existing good relations between GJM and BJP, and how that could influence the case, Mr. Khati said, "we were fearful that the government would not allow for the chargesheet to be filed... but they didn't interfere in the process... it is indicative of the fact that the current PM Narendra Modi is not like other PMs... for us it is a small evidence of his sincerity... he could have intervened, but he didn't... so we are beginning to believe that the current government respects the rule of the law... and that they will not intervene in this case... and will allow justice to prevail."

Bharati Tamang, AIGL Chief and wife of Late. Madan Tamang, said, "the murder of Madan Tamang was in fact the murder of democracy in the hills, if he gets justice, then the democracy in the hills will have received justice."

She stated that she has full faith in the judiciary and the judicial process.


Source:TheDC

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AIGL seeks justice on Madan Tamang murder case on his 5th death anniversary

8:32 AM

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madan tamang

The All India Gorkha League (AIGL) observed the fifth death anniversary of its slain leader Madan Tamang on Thursday in Darjeeling at the very spot where he was hacked to death in broad daylight on May 21, 2010.

Bharati Tamang - Pic via Himalayadarpan.

Party leaders in their speeches rued the lack of apathy shown by the West Bengal government and the investigating agency in speeding the process to provide justice even after five years since the murder had taken place.

“We have failed to get justice even after five years. Is this how the law works in our country? If so than it is really sad,” said Laxman Pradhan, the AIGL vice president. The party adopted a resolution
to demand for judicial inquiry into their leader’s murder. “We will seek support of likeminded political parties of the hills first and then demand judicial inquiry into our leader’s murder,” he said.
Tamang, the AIGL president was hacked to death in the morning of May 21, 2010 at the Upper Clubside area of the town while overseeing preparation for a public meeting on that fateful day. The AIGL leader’s murder case was initially handled by the CID; however, it was taken over by the CBI but the investigation has failed to yield much result.

Bharati Tamang, the slain leader’s wife in 2012 had filed a petition in the Supreme Court questioning the slow investigation by the CBI and had demanded for a special investigation team into her husband’s murder. “Impartial investigation has not been done by the agencies presently handling the case. We want nothing but the truth to come to light and those involved brought to justice,” Pradhan said.

The CID had named 30 Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) supporters and leaders in their charge-sheet. Prime accused Nicole Tamang, a GJM central committee leader, was arrested in August 2010 but mysteriously managed to abscond from Pintail Village, a government guest house near Siliguri, while being interrogated.

All others named in the charge sheet are presently out in bail apart from Nicole and Dinesh Subba who are absconding and a third person Sangey Yolmo who is in hospital. Dil Kumar Rai also named in the charge sheet was murdered at Goradura on the way to Singla tea estate, on December 28, 2011.
Representatives from the Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxisrt (CPRM), the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) and the Congress were also present, to pay their homage to the slain AIGL leader.

Source: EOI

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AIGL 72nd foundation day observed, pitches for Gorkhaland

10:20 AM

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Politics

The AIGL (All India Gorkha League), which chose to remain in oblivion for more than three years following the assassination of its president in 2010, on Friday observed the party’s foundation day by holding a public meeting in Darjeeling. Madan Tamang, the party’s former president, was murdered in broad daylight on May 21, 2010 at the Upper Clubside area of Darjeeling allegedly by Gorkha Janmukti Morcha supporters while he was overseeing preparations for a public meeting. The AIGL remained largely inactive after the murder of Tamang  although it observed the foundation day in the party office. Friday’s public meeting was the first in more than three years and commemorated the party’s 72nd foundation day.

People light up candles to pay homage before a portrait of Madan Tamang, President of Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League (ABGL) at Titanic Park in Gangtok. He was hacked to death in Darjeeling. A PTI file photo.

The AIGL was formed in May 15, 1943. Taking the opportunity, most speakers drew flak on the GJM accusing it of selling off the statehood demand. “The GJM has betrayed and compromised on the statehood demand. If the 29th state in the form of Telangana can be created, why not a Gorkhaland state? This shows the insincerity of the GJM,” said AIGL general secretary Pratap Khati. He also said the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration was not what the Gorkha people wanted and that it should be scrapped to pave way for a separate state. “If the present dispensation (GJM) and its leaders are sincere, they should denounce the GTA and take to the streets to make the Gorkhas’ dream into reality,” said Khati. Terming Tamang’s murder as sacrifice for the greater cause of a Gorkhaland state, the AIGL general secretary said the people should respect and support the AIGL in taking forward the statehood demand. “Our president laid down his life for a separate state. He never compromised unlike the GJM and the GNLF. We will never let go of the demand for a separate state,” he said.

AIGL vice president Laxman Pradhan echoed similar sentiments and said the statehood demand had got suppressed by the acceptance of the GTA that does not come with any constitutional guarantee. “Only a separate state is the ultimate dream of the hill people. The GTA, which is a temporary entity, is an obstacle in the path of achieving a separate state,” he said. Pradhan also pointed to the failure of the BJP MPs from Darjeeling in taking up the statehood demand. “Neither Jaswant Singh earlier nor SS Ahluwalia now has spoken for or taken up the statehood demand in Parliament. Their intention was just to become MPs and whatever they promised is only eyewash,” alleged the AIGL vice president.

The GJM is the political ally of the BJP. In the 2009 and 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP successfully fielded its candidates from Darjeeling constituency and the GJM extended its support in exchange for a pledge by the saffron front of taking up the statehood demand.

Source: EOI

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Friends and ‘foes’ gather, GJMM stays aloof

11:04 AM

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Subhash Ghisingh

While even ‘enemies’ reached Bagdogra Airport to pay their last respects to the “uncrowned king of the Hills,” no important leader from the present dispensation in the Hills, the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM), was seen around here.

People line up to pay their last respect to Shri. Subash Ghising

However, GJMM chief and chief of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) Bimal Gurung today announced that all offices under the GTA will remain closed tomorrow as a mark of respect to the once strongman of Darjeeling, Subhas Ghisingh, who died in New Delhi yesterday. Mr Gurung was also once a close aide to Mr Ghisingh, the founder of the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF).

“I have not seen any Morcha leader here, but this is their problem,” said the founder of the Darjeeling Dooars United Development Foundation (DDUDF) Mahendra P Lama.

However, former Rajya Sabha MP Saman Pathak came here to pay the departed leader his last respects. Mr Pathak refused to recall his past memories during the Gorkhaland agitation in the Darjeeling Hills under the leadership of the GNLF chief. The house of former Darjeeling MP, the late Ananda Pathak, (father of Saman Pathak) was set on fire and his family members were taken hostage during the Gorkhaland agitation in the mid-80s.

Former MLA from Kalimpong Santa Chhetri, who was once close to Mr Ghisingh, also reached the airport to pay her last respect to the late Ghisingh. Ms Chhetri had to leave the Hills during the GJMM rise, and she finally left the GNLF and joined the Trinamul Congress.

“My leader Mr Ghisingh was the only leader who raised the Hill issues and made the demand for a separate state of Grokhaland international. I failed to control my emotions after hearing of his sad demise. I have come here like hundreds of other people to pay him my last respect,” said Ms Chhetri.

Rajen Mukhia, who was with Subash Ghisingh when he fought the GJMM, also left the GNLF and joined the All India Gorkha League (AIGL) as he felt that his mentor decided to go slow against GJMM chief Bimal Gurung.

Mr Mukhia, who joined the Trinamul Congress, was one of the leaders at the airport paying homage to the departed Hill leader.

Source: thestatesman

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CPM, ABGL and GNLF have virtually vanished from the hills - Bimal Gurung

10:14 AM

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Politics

Hitting out hard at the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) chief Bimal Gurung on Thursday said its era is long over and the handful of supporters still clinging on in hope must realise this fact at the earliest.

Bimal Gurung

Speaking during the opening ceremony of the GTA’s three-day Krishi Mela at Damphe Thar in Dudhay, Gurung said hill parties such as the CPM, ABGL and GNLF have now virtually vanished from the public stage. “All political parties enjoy their prime time and they should learn to deal with this fact,” he said.

The GTA chief added, “A day will also come when the people of the Darjeeling hills will turn towards a new political party by sidelining the GJM, but at present the mandate is with us.”

According to Gurung, there will only be chaos and mayhem if a political party tries to flex its muscles despite being well aware that its heydays are over. “Our rivals tried to coax GJM supporters into joining their fold and a number of them did leave us temporarily, but now they are all returning back,” claimed the GJM chief.

Putting in a word of praise for ally BJP, he said, “During the Kargil War, many Gorkha soldiers were martyred, but no leader from Kolkata or Delhi visited their families as a mark of respect. Only the BJP respects the contribution of the Gorkhas to the nation.”


Gurung cautioned the people not to view the Krishi Mela as an entertainment event, but as one being held to promote new farming techniques. “Once this mela is over, Dudhay will soon find a place in the tourism map of Darjeeling,” he concluded.

Source: EOI

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