The Gorkhaland Task Force, which had been lying low following the formation of Gorkhaland Joint Action Force last year, has sprung into action yet again. The GTF, formed under the aegis of Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh and constituting of various political and apolitical organizations, conducted a meeting on Monday in Kalimpong. The meeting attended by Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh, Gorkha Rastriya Nirman Morcha and Darjeeling Dooars United Development Forum leaders decided to unify and take ahead the statehood movement.
BGP president Dr. Anos Das Pradhan, GTF Chairman Sukhman Moktan, DDUDF founder and president Dr. Mahindra P Lama and GRNM representatives attended the meeting. The GTF member organizations have decided to prepare a delegation to visit Delhi and meet the BJP-led Central leaders to put pressure on them on the statehood demand.
Dr. Pradhan informed the task force would take the plan ahead only after the national level working committee meeting of the Gorkha Rastriya Parisangh in Delhi. “During the meeting the prepared dossier will be discussed and the plan ahead will be formulated. The meeting is also expected to discuss about a new approach to the statehood demand and for restarting the movement afresh,” he added. After the working committee meeting, the GTF delegation will meet Central leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh separately and inform them about the task force’s plan.
“We waited for the GJM to take the Gorkhaland talks ahead with the Centre for three months, yet the party did not make any inroads. Therefore, we have decided to take the initiative on our own,” Dr. Pradhan declared. The GTF has decided to hold the meeting with the Prime Minister and home minister in the presence of Darjeeling MP SS Ahluwalia. “Ahluwalia is an elected representative of the people of the hills. Therefore, he has to help us in this initiative,” the BGP president stated. He further informed the GTF has already written an email to the MP seeking his help in getting the appointment with the central big-wigs. Further the task force will also approach the GJM leadership to take part in the initiative.
Citing the recently initiated talks between India and Nepal on the Indo-Nepal Friendship Treaty, Dr. Pradhan urged the Centre to work for the uplift and welfare of Indian Gorkhas as well. He said the commission set up by the Indian government to hold the talks should also include an Indian Gorkha representative. “We will discuss all these issues during our meeting with the prime minister,” Dr. Pradhan claimed.
Source: EOI
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| GTF, will take statehood demand to Delhi |
Dr. Pradhan informed the task force would take the plan ahead only after the national level working committee meeting of the Gorkha Rastriya Parisangh in Delhi. “During the meeting the prepared dossier will be discussed and the plan ahead will be formulated. The meeting is also expected to discuss about a new approach to the statehood demand and for restarting the movement afresh,” he added. After the working committee meeting, the GTF delegation will meet Central leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh separately and inform them about the task force’s plan.
“We waited for the GJM to take the Gorkhaland talks ahead with the Centre for three months, yet the party did not make any inroads. Therefore, we have decided to take the initiative on our own,” Dr. Pradhan declared. The GTF has decided to hold the meeting with the Prime Minister and home minister in the presence of Darjeeling MP SS Ahluwalia. “Ahluwalia is an elected representative of the people of the hills. Therefore, he has to help us in this initiative,” the BGP president stated. He further informed the GTF has already written an email to the MP seeking his help in getting the appointment with the central big-wigs. Further the task force will also approach the GJM leadership to take part in the initiative.
Citing the recently initiated talks between India and Nepal on the Indo-Nepal Friendship Treaty, Dr. Pradhan urged the Centre to work for the uplift and welfare of Indian Gorkhas as well. He said the commission set up by the Indian government to hold the talks should also include an Indian Gorkha representative. “We will discuss all these issues during our meeting with the prime minister,” Dr. Pradhan claimed.
Source: EOI
