Raju Bista Declared BJP MP candidate from Darjeeling for Lok Sabha election

7:28 PM

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Politics

GJM GNLF BJP candidate for Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat Declared

Raju Bista , 34 years old, Managing Director of Surya Roshni Ltd, a Gorkha from Manipur has been declared the candidate for Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat.

Raju Bista Declared BJP MP candidate from Darjeeling

Raju Bista has been the Managing Director at Surya Roshni Limited since October 29, 2012. Shri Bista served as a Deputy Managing Director of Surya Roshni Limited until October 29, 2012.

He joined Surya Foundation an NGO in furtherance of his deep rooted desire to develop the youth of the country. His management and planning skills are valuable factors in the growth of Surya.

He has been a Whole Time Director of Surya Roshni Limited since June 18, 2009. Shri Bista holds the directorship in Surya Global Steel Tubes Limited and Surya Global Infrastructure Limited. He is a Graduate in Arts from Manipur. He has done Executive Masters Programme in Business Administration with specialization in Marketing Management from National Institute of Business Management.

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Bimal Gurung's press release on 'Manipur People Act Bill 2018'

7:03 PM

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Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

The Government of Manipur passed the 'Manipur People Act Bill 2018' during the monsoon session of the state Assembly last week. The Bill paves the way for the implementation of Inner Line Permit in the state. A similar bill passed by the state assembly in 2015 had caused violent protest from the tribal people in the Hills District, leading to the death of 8 protestors in Churachandpur District and a political stalemate lasting for almost a year.

Bimal Gurung file photo

While the Government avoided the mistakes of the past this time by initiating due consultation with the Hills Area Committee and taking the tribal people into confidence, the Bill has brought a sense of panic and insecurity amongst the non-indigenous minority citizens of the state. While there are very few protests reported in the media, the deep sense of fear prevailing amongst the people has prevented them from coming out strongly in protest of the Bill.

The following are some major point of concerns raised by the public:
- The Manipur People Act Bill passed by the State Assembly is not very different from the previous 'Protection of Manipur People Bill 2015' which was termed 'anti-tribal' by the Hill tribes of the state. The only change in the new bill is the inclusion of 'Scheduled Tribes' in the definition of 'Manipur People' and adding a provision that any interest to acquire land or property must get the consent of the Hill Area Committee.
- The cut-off year of 1951 is based on a non-existent 'National Register of Citizens' allegedly published in the year 1951. However, an RTI response has revealed that the Manipur government and directorate of census operations do not have records of the National Register of Citizens, 1951.
- The revised bill does not address the Central Government's earlier objection that it violates the Article 19 of the constitution. Article 14 (4) & (5) is a fundamental right which grants each and every citizen of India 'the freedom to migrate and settle in any parts of India.'

The definition of “Indian” as laid down by the constitution does not seem to apply in this Bill, which requires that all 'non-native, non-ST/SC Indians' should prove that they are descendants of people who were living in the state before 1951. Even if the Government had any census record of that time, there is serious doubt that the directory would include every single citizen living in the remote parts, given the accessibility challenges and lack of awareness and education during the time.

While the primary objective of the Bill is to protect the interest of the indigenous people of the state, there is no detailed provision that discusses how the native people rights will be protected through the law. Instead, it focuses more on the need to issue permits, and provisions of a Registration Authority to manage the permit issue and identification of unregistered non-locals. On hindsight, the bill looks more intended towards targeting those who are regarded as “non locals” residing in Manipur, rather than to actually restrict illegal migrations.

Every member of the public understands that the demand for implementation of an ILP-like system is the need of the hour in the wake of huge illegal immigration to the entire North East region. However, it is equally important that the Government instills a sense of security and concern for the people who are most affected by the Bill.

I therefore request the Hon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, Hon. Home Minister Rajnath Singh ji, and Hon’ble Chief Minister of Manipur Nongthombam Biren Singh ji to kindly take necessary steps to protect the rights of all Indian citizens. I am most hopeful that the Government of Manipur will deliver justice and ensure that everyone living in the state feels protected and safe at all times.

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Rfn Bikas Gurung martyred in ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Jammu & Kashmir

4:15 PM

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Martyr

Son of the soil Indian Gorkha Rfn Bikas Gurung Indian Army got martyred during ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Nowshera area of Jammu & Kashmir today.

Bikash was a Gorkha Jawan From Manipur.

"Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked and indiscriminate firing of mortars on routine Indian Army patrol, 700 metres inside Indian territory in Naushera sector along the Line of Control (LoC) Saturday morning," a senior army officer told PTI.

In the exchange of fire, Rifleman Bikas Gurung of 2/1 Gorka Rifles was grievously injured and succumbed to injuries. The 21-year-old soldier belonged to Khunka Khuki village of Manipur, and is survived by his mother.

May his soul rest in peace and may God give strength and courage to his family and friends.

RIP Brother

Jai Hind Jai Gorkha

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Distinguishing "Gorkhalis" And "Nepali" Immigrants

3:08 PM

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Manipuri Gorkhas

In terms of migrants and immigrants, it is well acknowledged that due to the open border policy shared between India and Nepal, people from both the nations have emigrated from one nation to the other.

While immigration has continued freely post Independence, what majority of the people in India fail to realize is that prior to the British invading various parts of India, Nepalis were already living in across the length and breadth of India. Places like Darjeeling, parts of Sikkim, Kangra, and Garhwal were actually parts of Nepal until 1816 when these tracts of lands were handed over to the British. The land which were usurped by the British also contained a healthy population of Indigenous Nepali speaking population – today these people who did not cross the border, but for whom the borders crossed them back in 1816, are recognized as GORKHAS in the Indian context.

The term "Gorkha" is used in India to identify the Indian citizens of Nepali ethnicity including the indigenous Lepchas and Bhutias (in the Darjeeling and Sikkim context), from the citizens of Nepal who are referred to as "Nepalese."

Treaty Blues

Due to Indo- Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship, 1950 (INFT) – the term "illegal immigrants" does not apply to people from Nepal entering India or Indian citizens entering Nepal. Every Indian citizen who moves to Nepal or every Nepali who moves to India does so legally and is protected by the INFT of 1950.

Article 6 and 7 of the INFT – 1950 state the following

Article 6: Each Government undertakes, in token of the neighborly friendship between India and Nepal, to give to the nationals of the other, in its territory, national treatment with regard to participation in industrial and economic development of such territory and to the grant of concessions and contracts, relating to such development. Article 7: The Governments of India and Nepal agree to grant, on a reciprocal basis, to the nationals of one country in the territories of the other the same privileges in the matter of residence, ownership of property, participation in trade and commerce, movement and other privileges of a similar nature.

Sadly it is these two clauses which were written to safeguard citizens from India and Nepal in each other's country, which creates misunderstanding and problem for Indian Gorkhas.

Most of the people across India naturally assume that all "Nepalis" are from Nepal, and start calling us "foreigners," "immigrants," and "outsiders" in various parts of India, and particularly so whenever we have demanded our rights to a separate state – Gorkhaland here in Darjeeling.

Via Hamro Manipur

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Manipur Gorkha are real indigenous of Manipur

8:56 PM

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History

The entry of the Gorkhas and their settlement in Manipur can be traced to 1819 at the earliest. It is quite probable that some scattered Nepali families were already settled in Manipur before this date. Some scholars push back the history of the Gorkhas in Manipur to the beginning of the 16th Century. Lore also has it that the first Nepali came to Manipur at the beginning of the 10th Century. He married a Meitei girl called Kumbi, who belonged to the Mayang Heikong Ningol, a popular Manipuri clan. Since this man reared cows and buffaloes in the Khuti, or the goth (cowshed), his descendants are knowns as gotimayan.

The first batch of Gorkhas came to Manipur during the time of Raja Gambhir Singh. In 1824, the Gorkhas of the 16th Sylhet Local Battalion, later to become the 8th Gorkha Rifles, were included in the Police Levy of Gambhir Singh. During the first quarter of the 19th Century, Manipur was much troubled by Burmese intruders and troops. To secure Manipur, Gambhir Singh raised an army in 1825 and recruited Gorkhas from Sylhet for it. The militia was named the ‘Victoria Paltan’. The nomenclature is a clear indication of the preponderance of Gorkhas in the army since the word paltan is a Nepali corruption of the English ‘platoon’. Having earned the trust of the British, Gorkha soldiers were detailed to protect all the Political Agents. They were also brought in as cooks, milkmen, traders and agriculturists.

The number of Gorkha soldiers in Manipur increased when the East India Company moved the 23rd, 43rd and 44th battalions of the 8th Gorkha Rifles to Manipur around 1880. Later, according to the records of the Chief Commissioner of Assam, 400 Gorkha soldiers from Golaghat and 200 from Silchar were brought in. In 1891, more were relocated to the region from other places in Assam. Maharaja Chandrakriti’s reign too saw many Gorkhas coming in.

At the beginning of the 20th Century, Gorkhas were being recruited in the Assam Military Police, where 82 of them were posted at Tura in the Garo Hills Battalion, 730 were at Dibrugarh in the Lakhimpur Battalion, 331 at Kohima in the Naga Hills Battalion, 111 at Silchar in the Silchar Battalion, and 105 at Dhaka in the Dhaka Battalion.

In 1915, the 2nd Gorkha Rifles stationed at Imphal was replaced by the Darang Military Police when the renowned fighters were deployed for action somewhere in Europe. This very Darang Military Police stationed at Manipur was converted into the 4th Assam Rifles in 1917 and 80 per cent of its personnel comprised Gorkhas.

Almost all the Gorkhas who came to Manipur on active service settled there permanently after retirement. The British government allotted land to the personnel of the 4th Assam Rifles first in Thangmaiband and later in special colonies in Eroisembe, Chink, Tangri, Kalapahar, Torbung, Maram, Imphal, Irang and Kanglatombi. After 1945, many personnel from Subhas Chandra Bose’s INA also made Manipur their home.

The fact that Nepali literature’s first poetical work in print came from Manipur is proof that the Gorkhas were fully assimilated into Manipur society and its social pursuits by 1894, the year that Tulachand Alay wrote and published
Manipurko Sawai.

Via Hamro Manipur

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All Manipur Gorkha Students’ Union (AMGSU) observes foundation day in Sadar Hills

9:49 AM

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Manipur Gorkha Welfare Union

KANGPOKPI | September 26 All Manipur Gorkha Students’ Union yesterday observed its 49th foundation day at Community Hall, Charhajare in Sadar Hills.

Madan Kumar Limbu, Speaker, Manipur Gorkha Welfare Union graced the occasion as Chief Guest while Shiva Kumar Basnet, Pradhan, Kanglatongbi Gram Panchayat who is also the General Secretary of Manipur Gorkha Welfare Union and Anil Kumar Dahal, President, All Manipur Gorkha Students’ Union attended as Guest of Honour and Functional President respectively.

Manipur Gorkha Welfare Union, the apex body of the Gorkhas, Nepali Sahitya Parisad Manipur, Nepali Sanskrit Suraksha Parishad Manipur, Manipureli Kirat Sangh, Bharatya Gorkha Parishang Manipur Unit, KGYA, Gorkha Samaj Senapati, ADC Members, KGP members and various intellectuals of the community attended the event apart from 17 units of AMGSU.

The observation begins with a condolence service while the gathering observed a minute silence to pay tribute to the departed members of the union.

Speaking at the occasion, Madan Kumar Limbu said that disciplines is the most important thing for the student community while organizing motivational programs bring lots of changes in the mind of young students.

He also cautioned that excessive usage of mobile phone by the young students bring lots of negative impact in their career.

AMGSU President, Anil Kumar Dahal said that the union was established on September 25, 1967 with an aim to develop the students and youths of the Gorkha community and also motivate students and youths to promote the culture, education, literature and sports of the community under the guidance of Capt. T. Lama and Lecturer Ranjit Kumar Rai.

He said that the Union has been working for the welfare of various social, cultural, education and various issues of the Community.

He further said that the union has decided to organize Golden Jubilee next year in a grand way.

Meanwhile, the newly elected office bearers of Manipur Gorkha Welfare Union took an oath of affirmation at Hindi Secondary School Kanglatongbi playground, where the Inter Kanglatongbi Gorkha Football Opening ceremony was organized by the GNYS.

The event was attended by Kh. Devendro Singh, MLA Sekmai AC, Shiva Kumar Basnet, Pradhan, KGP, Kh. Randhoni Devi, Member, Khurkhul ZP and Dillip Katwal, Social Worker, Kanglatongbi as Chief Guest, President and Guests of honour respectively.

Via - ifp

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JAC-PLAL opposes native status to Gorkhas

9:18 AM

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northeast gorkhas

Aug 24, 2016 IMPHAL, Aug 23: Opposing the demand of the Gorkha people to the State Government to ‘grant them native resident status’, the Joint Action Committee for Protecting Liangmai Ancestral Land (JAC-PLAL)has urged the Deputy Chief Minister, who also holds the tribal affairs portfolio, not to pay any heed to the demand.In a lengthy memorandum submitted to the Deputy Chief Minister, the Liangmai JAC justified its stand pertaining to the Gorkha issue by highlighting certain background.

“The Gorkha might have come to Manipur sometime in the first decade of the last century but they came to the soil of Manipur as soldiers, cooks, milkmen, traders and agriculturists” it pointed out in its memorandum. According to JAC-PLAL,  then political agent in Manipur, Maj HD Maxwell had verbally ordered Gorkha to move towards Kanglatongbi, Kangpokpi, Irang Part I & II to rear cows and buffaloes on February 17, 1915.Another permission was also given to 42 Gorkha families at Matakong onAugust 23, 1957. The above two permissions speak of their (Gorkha) non-resident status, the Liangmai JAC confirmed.It said, “The Gorkha on the verbal permission of the then political agentcame and occupied Liangmai territory in 1915 without the consent of the original settlers and land owners.

Manipur

Even as they had come and occupied the land, the Gorkha agreed to pay annual tributes to the native land owners. Since then they had been paying the tributes to the land owners till today (Copies of the tribute receipts enclosed as Annexure 1). Besides this, occasionalagreement had been drawn between the Liangmai native villages and tenant (Gorkha) to the effect that the tenants would abide by the customary and traditional practices of the Naga villages.  (Copies of agreements enclosed as annexure 2).”According to JAC-PLAL, there is no Khasland in Liangmai territory.In this regard, the Liangmai JAC recalled a landmark ruling of the Guwahati High Court in Imphal permanent bench between the North East Council, Shillong, the State of Manipur and the Deputy Commisoner, Ukhrul versus the Hundung Victims of Development Project, in which the verdict was passed in favour of the petitioners whose land had been acquired by theNorth Eastern Council through the Government of Manipur.

The verdict is reproduced here below for necessary information— We are here concerned with Hill Areas of Ukhrul that there’s no Government Khaslandin Hill areas of Ukhrul…..”.JAC-PLAL said that every village in Liangmai area is well defined as a unit with clear demarcation of boundaries between the villages. While such was the clear position, the then authority had pushed the migrant Gorkha “to our country andhad caused the present crisis.“The then political agent of Manipur, C Gimson, ICS in his note to foreigners vide copy of Memo No.4770/MS dated 15/8/1943 had written an inspection note of Irang part I & II to the effect that no boundary fixation was required in thearea.

To substantiate the statement, an improvised copy of the said memo is enclosed herewith for necessary information as annexure 3,” it pointed out while adding, “Again another political agent in Manipur, GA Stewart, ICS had issued an order on the 2nd July 1938 to the effect that no grazer should move from onevillage to another without an expressed order from the political agent in Manipur. Improvised copy enclosed as annexure 4.“In the light of the above stated facts and points, it is crystal clear that the Gorkha are not native residents of the State and the land they occupy was given for their temporary stay under certain agreements and conditions.

It is unthinkable to grant them native resident status when theindigenous people of the State are crying for protection of indigenous rights,” the Liangmai JAC added.“It is therefore, requested to look into the matter judiciously and take necessary action not to grant native resident status to Gorkha (Gorkhas),” the JAC-PLAL urged the Deputy Chief Minister.

Via- Sangai news

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