GJM rally in Kalimpong for Gorkhaland after T-Bill

10:38 AM

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Politics

Kalimpong - GJM Gorkha Janmukti Morcha after passing of the Telangana Bill (T-Bill) in the Parliament will hold a rally on Sunday 23rd Feb 2014 to press its demand for Gorkhaland in the Kalimpong town.

File Photo GJM rally in Kalimpong for Gorkhaland 

“The Telangana Bill’s passage proves the consent of the state government is not necessary in remapping the concerned state’s boundaries. We had been stressing this all the while. The Centre will have to bifurcate West Bengal without the state government’s consent as has been done in the case of Telangana.” said Kumar Chamling the sub-divisional samiti secretary of the GJM kalimpong.

He added the passage of the T-Bill in the Lok Sabha strengthens the demand for Gorkhaland as it has supported the formation of the smaller state in India by doing so.The GJM has kept aside provisions for scrapping the GTA in the GTA accord and demanding a state.

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International Mother Language Day observed in Kalimpong

10:17 AM

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Nepali Sahitya Adhyan Samiti

The state Information and Cultural Department and the Nepali Sahitya Adhyan Samiti today jointly commemorated International Mother Language Day at Bhaichandra Sabhagriha in 10 Mile.

Observing International Mother Language
Day in Kalimpong on Friday.

International Mother Language Day is an observance held annually on 21 February worldwide to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity.The programme was attended by prominent writers including MB Pradhan, Sanumati Rai and BR Chettri where discussions were held on one’s mother tongue and its importance. Prof. Nirmala Das and journalist Bhuwan P Khanal delivered lectures on the importance of one’s mother language.


Source:EOI

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GJM-TMC Supporters clash in Kalimpong over PHE Contracts

3:35 PM

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Trinamool Congress

Exclusive: GJM-TMC Supporters Battle it out in Kalimpong: Clash over PHE Contracts? or Inter-Party feud?

Kalimpong was on edge today, due to clash between Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and Trinmool Supporters. As the report of GJM-TMC clash trickled down, the town started to shut down, causing widespread fear and panic among the residents. So far, reports say that 8 people have been seriously injured during the clash and have been brought to Siliguri. 

GJM-TMC Supporters clash in Kalimpong 

According to GJM supporters, the incidence was a case of “TMC goons starting to terrorize the hill people.” GJM has accused that TMC leader Tshewang Bhutia had been calling the home of GJM supporter Mr. Suman Gurung who lives in Chandralok, Kalimpong and threatening him and his family on a regular basis. On Tuesday 18th of February Mrs. Suprina Thapa, wife of Mr. Suman Gurung had lodged a police complaint against Tshewang Bhutia for threatening her husband and harassing her entire family. Today around noon, as the news of the clash between GJM and TMC supporters broke out, some unknown individuals ransacked Mr Suman Gurung’s house. However, GJM accuse that the police has literally turned a blind eye against the excesses of TMC supporters.

On the other hand Hill TMC president Chewang Bhutia has alleged that GJM youths attacked his party workers with Khukhuris. Sonam Bhutia, Yakin Lamichane, Pravakar Thakuri, Sundar Basnet, Aviraj Ghatani, Sukden Lepcha and party’s Kalimpong youth convener Pranay Thulung were also injured during the brawl along with a few other TMC supporters. Bhutia later called for a press meet and said that 12 TMC activists were in the canteen when around 35 GJM youths attacked them unprovoked, causing serious injuries.

Those who are aware of the situation however say that the clash could have been resulted due to increasing turf war over PHE, PWD and MES contracts and not a clash between political parties. Just that those who are involved in contracts are mostly supporters of either GJM or TMC, because of which it looks like inter-party feud, which it is not.

Once the news of the clash became more common, the shops in Kalimpong had started to shut down, but GJM Yuva Morcha supporters urged the shopkeepers to keep the town open.

Anticipating trouble, police and CRPF have been deployed in Kalimpong and despite the blame game, so far no arrest have been reported

[A DT exclusive report with Inputs from sources in the field + Eyewitness reports. 
Pics sources: kalimpongonlinenews]

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Kalimpong Krishak Kalyan Sangathan demands implementation of Forest Act

11:36 AM

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Kalimpong Live News

The Kalimpong Krishak Kalyan Sangathan has accused the state government of failing to implement the Forest Act in the Darjeeling hills that was passed in 2006.

Kalimpong Krishak Kalyan Sangathan demands
implementation of Forest Act

According to Sangathan general secretary Bishnu Chettri, Act has still not been implemented and this is unfortunate on the part of the state government. He said deputations have been sent to the Forest and Environment Ministry along with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs over the issue. The undue delay in implementation has deprived more than 1 lakh forest dwellers across 143 settlements of several facilities.

 “These people are worried about their future,” said Chettri. “There are several associations in the forest settlements that have been demanding the implementation of the Act, but the government has turned a deaf ear to their pleas.”

Source :Eoi

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Kalimpong - land right deeds (pattas) to 29 families of Kafer

12:04 PM

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Kalimpong Live News

The Kalimpong Land and Land Reforms department today handed out land right deeds to 29 families of Kafer under Block 2 as part of the state government’s ‘My House My Land’ scheme.

Kalimpong GJM convener Norden Lama was the chief guest at the function held at the L&LRO where Block 1 land reforms officer Yankee Bhutia was also present along with revenue officer Nima Syangden and department officials. 

According to Syangden, those who received the pattas work as daily labourers at the Relli River. He said they will now be able to avail of various benefits under Block 1 of the sub-division.

Meanwhile, Bhutia informed the beneficiaries will not be entitled to sell the land they have acquired. She added the department has distributed pattas to as many as 118 families here till date.


Source:EOI

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Bimal Gurung launched Rs 26 crore Delo to Relli ropeway

10:48 AM

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Kalimpong Live News

Currently on a foundation-laying spree, GTA chief executive Bimal Gurung today launched a ropeway to connect the Delo and Relli areas of Kalimpong. The project is estimated to cost Rs 26 crore and will complement transportation besides boosting tourism.

 Bimal Gurung speaking at the ropeway foundation
stonelaying ceremony in Kalimpong

Commissioned by the GTA and to be built by Damodar Ropeway Infra Ltd, the latter’s deputy chairman KB Banerjee said the company is all set to begin construction and the blueprint of the project has been finalised. He informed the 4.3km long ropeway will stand at a height of 1.5km from ground level and move at a speed of 3m per second. There will be a stopping point at Albert Villa Point near SUMI, midway between Delo and Relli. Gurung said construction work is expected to start within the next 20 days, but Banerjee pointed out there are formalities to be completed with the Union environment ministry and rules and regulations have to be strictly followed before and during construction.

Banerjee added the ministry will also hold a public meeting to seek an NOC before construction begins. If the GTA completes all formalities at the earliest, work on the ropeway can begin smoothly and as soon as possible, noted the company executive. Meanwhile, Gurung said the GTA will set in motion all projects undertaken by it before the code of conduct for the general election comes into force.  “The Rs 200 crore granted by the Centre has to be utilised within March. We will hand over tenders and initiate development works within this month,” he said, adding: “As much as Rs119 crore went unutilised during the DGHC’s tenure. We won’t waste money by allowing it to freeze as the DGHC did.”

The GTA chief said the ropeway is a gift to the residents of Kalimpong and promised to promote all-round development of the hills within the next three and a half years. Announcing the Mela ground will be upgraded into a proper stadium, the GTA chief executive said its blueprint is ready, but construction will begin only after proper rehabilitation of those likely to be displaced. Later in the day, Gurung laid the foundation stone for a 30-bed hospital in Kage. He is also scheduled to launch the reconstruction of the Leprosy hospital here in a few days. Further, two old-age homes are to be built in Kalimpong and Relli.  Gurung went on to inform that the GTA has already granted a sum of Rs one crore each to the Kalimpong and Darjeeling municipalities for resolving their waste management problem. Infrastructural development will be carried out in Relli, Lava and other areas to encourage tourism. A new office for the Janmukti Chalak Mahasangh has also been promised.  “We are not just gatekeepers. We will now show that we can do many things,” concluded the GTA chief.

Source:EOI

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First hill TMC convention in Kalimpong, local candidate for Loksabha election

10:41 AM

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Politics

After securing formal approval of the party high command, the hill Trinamool Congress (TMC) today held its first district convention in Kalimpong. Leaders of the TMC regional unit, which functioned on ad-hoc basis before receiving approval a few days ago, discussed the strategy for the general elections.

Jyotipriya Mallick addressing the hill TMC
convention in Kalimpong.

Although TMC general secretary Mukul Roy was not present as scheduled, state food and supply minister Jyotipriya Mallick attended the meeting. Kolkata Municipality councilor Dr. Shantanu Sen represented Roy. Apart from the TMC leaders from the plains, the meeting saw the presence of hill leaders including Darjeeling district committee president Rajen Mukhia, vice-president Gopal Chettri, secretary Binny Sharma, Pravin Rahapal, NB Khawas, youth wing president Chewang Bhutia and Nanita Gautam. While the leaders from Kolkata urged their regional counterparts to prepare for the LS polls in an organised manner, the latter requested the party high command to properly evaluate the sincere efforts of party workers here.

Mallick praised the hill TMC and said it has gained strength in the region. He said an MR shop will be set up in each tea garden for supply of rations even when the gardens are closed. The minister concluded by stressing Bengal will remain undivided. “The state government wants to work in coordination with the GTA for peace and development. But we won’t allow separation of Darjeeling from Bengal,” he asserted. Meanwhile, Shantanu Sen claimed the TMC has established itself as a party that can influence national level politics. He said: “What can be the outcome of supporting or opposing the TMC has been exemplified by the situation of the Congress at the Centre and in Bengal.”

Rajen Mukhia urged the party high command to value the contributions of the hill TMC instead of looking at it as a “check and balance” against the GJM. He said, “We formed the hill TMC by risking our lives during the political turmoil here. The party high command therefore, should not treat us as a check and balance entity.” Raising the demand for a native candidate in the polls, Mukhia said: “The Trinamool should have its own candidate irrespective of the probabilities of a GJM backing. But the candidate should not be from Delhi or Kolkata. We are optimistic about our leader Mamata Banerjee giving us a son-of-the-soil candidate.”

Source:EOI

Report by: 

Pradip Lohagun

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Ropeway from Deolo to Relli at Kalimpong inaugurated by Gurung

6:13 PM

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Kalimpong Live News

Bimal Gurung  inaugurated a Ropeway from Deolo to Relli at Kalimpong. 

He wants Relli to be the number one tourist destination in Kalimpong. 

GTA has also plans to make a new Tourist Village at Relli and will include 10 tourist huts, a swimming pool, health club, restaurant, craft bazaar and an open air theatre. 

A unique feature of this tourism village will be a mini-golf course. A water theme park will also come up at Relli soon. 

Relli will become a popular destination for national and international tourists. Relli will also get tourists in the winters because of its warm weather. This tourism project will give a boost to the economy of not only Relli but also the surrounding areas. 

He also inaugurated a Model School and 10 bedded Hospital at Kagey, Kalimpong.

The earlier party and the Government had always neglected the medical healthcare at Kagey. This would be the first hospital in this area.

Source: Bimal Gurung FB Page

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