Sikkim State Women's Commission met Bijanbari Case victim Kala Subba actually from Nepal

2:18 PM

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Sikkim State Women's Commission

Writes ‎Prakash Lee‎ 

The news that went viral in social site (FB) on 14th June of Mrs. Kala Subba (31years), who was rambling around in search of job in Bijanbari, Darjeeling and ending the quest in hospital due to brutal physical assault by police personnel at Pool Bazaar Police Station, Darjeeling...thereby creating public rage on social media, some of them claiming her to be of Sikkim, some blamed Sikkim State Women's Commission of being headless, some tried to politicize the matter...But nobody investigated to its roots and got the concrete information of victim.

Finally, the State Women Commission of Sikkim, gathering information and after understanding the matter, made a team comprising (two members of Sikkim State Women Commission Laki Denzongpa and Leela Dulal, NGO Subha Lakxmi Social Organization (SLSO) President Lalita Lama, East Distt General Secretary Dev Gurung (SDF Party) and headed for Sahid Durga Malla District Hospital Darjeeling and visited the victim today.

It is so surprising to find her bed-ridden even after 13 Days. She is still under medical supervision with the support of Rastriya Naari Aayog and Limbu Association of Darjeeling.

State Women Commission Sikkim met Bijanbari Case victim Kala Subba

It is learnt that, she is completely sane, all she said was she, her husband and in-laws are originally from Taplejung, Nepal and temporarily staying in Rumbuk, West-Sikkim. She also said that her husband eloped with another woman and abandoned her thereafter, since then she was being tortured by her in-laws and bearing the burnt of torture and insult, she had to leave the in-laws house and went in search of job to sustain life. Further she claims that she has two children (a son and a daughter).

According to her claims and considering her matter as a top priority, the Sikkim State Women Commission assured her to trace her in-laws' whereabouts in Sikkim and ensure all possible help. And also hope that, the victim will definitely get justice, according to the law of the land.

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Hill parties unite to seek Bijanbari Subdivision

11:34 AM

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Politics

DARJEELING 21 Jun 2016 Various political and apolitical bodies of the hills have come together on one platform - the Bijanbari Sub-Division Demand Committee - to demand for the creation of a Bijanbari sub-division. They submitted a memorandum today to the Darjeeling district administration in the regard.

The committee members comprise representatives from the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, Trinamool Congress, Jan Andolan Party, CPM and the Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxist and merchant associations and social organisations of the area.

After submitting their memorandum to the Darjeeling district magistrate, L.M. Lama, the convener of the newly formed committee, said, “With 23 gram panchayats, Bijanbari is a huge block and one of the largest blocks in the state. We welcome the concept of a Mirik sub-division, but in spite of its potential to be upgraded to a sub-division, we feel that Bijanbari has been overlooked by the state government. We want Bijanbari to be trifurcated into three blocks with two sub-divisions.”

Hill political parties unite to seek Bijanbari Subdivision

The sub-division demand committee that was formed on June 19 has proposed that Bijanbari, comprising the areas of Rimbick-Lodhoma, Bijanbari-Pulbazar and Darjeeling, be trifurcated into three development blocks. It also wants the Rimbick-Lodhoma and Bijanbari-Pulbazaar development blocks to be created into two separate sub-divisions.

“It is the question of the people’s wish and their necessities. Our committee comprises representation from various political parties and we want to take forward the demand to its positive conclusion in one voice,” said the BSDC convener, who is also a GJM central committee leader of Bijanbari.

The GJM, although opposed to the state government’s move to form development boards, has given its consent for the creation of new districts and sub-divisions. Similar demands have started cropping up and have also started gaining momentum, following the state government’s recent decision to form a separate Kalimpong district and a Mirik sub-division, the latter presently being one of the blocks under Kurseong sub-division.

Topographically, Bijanbari block under Darjeeling sub-division measures 415.69 sq km and is one of the eight blocks of the district. It has a total population of 1,26,747 spread over 23 GPs. It has 94 khasmal, revenue villages, tea gardens and forest mouzas. Income sources include paddy, tea, maize, potato, ginger and cardamom cultivation.

Lama said the district magistrate responded positively and assured the committee of starting the process of creating new blocks soon. “The DM assured us he would look into the demand of division of blocks and start the process as the matter is under his purview. And regarding the demand for sub-divisions, he has promised to communicate with the state government, which is the final authority,” the DSDC convener said.

The committee has also proposed that the Rimbick-Lodhoma, Bijanbari-Pulbazaar and Darjeeling development blocks be formed with five, eight and 10 gram panchayats, respectively.

(EOIC)

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Bijanbari police tourture victim referred to ‪Darjeeling‬ District Hospital

8:55 PM

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Sikkim

18 June 2016 Bijanbari The victim of alleged police torture Ms. Kala Subba has been referred to Darjeeling District Hospital.

Yesterday a team from Sikkim led by SDF Daramdim Samasty President Mr. Bhupendra Chettri arrived in Bijanbari to ascertain the facts relating to Ms. Subba's address.

Speaking to the Press Mr. Chettri stated, "we are trying to ascertain her address and we will do all we can to assist her... we have already lodged a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission and we will proceed as and when we get more information."

A team from Darjeeling Women's Commission under the leadership of Ms Lalita Lama also visited Ms Subba and under their care and that of Bijanbari Nari Kalyan Samity Ms. Subba has been taken to Darjeeling District Hospital as her condition is still critical.

Victim of alleged police torture Ms. Kala Subba

In the meanwhile, cry for ouster of Bijanbari OC Saurav Sen has grown stronger with DYFI, local women's organizations, Bijanbari Limbu Samaj demanding his suspension.



Via The DC

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Sikkim woman not kept at Bijanbari police station, lied about her identity - says SP

10:17 AM

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Sikkim

Cloud on Bijanbari woman's identity

Writes Vivek Chhetri

Darjeeling, June 16: The woman, Kala Subba, who was allegedly beaten up at the Bijanbari police station where she had taken shelter on Sunday, has given wrong information regarding her family and whereabouts, the police said today.

She had been admitted to the hospital with bruises on her thighs and hands.

The woman in her mid-thirties had said she was from West Sikkim and had a daughter and a son. She had also said she had come to Bijanbari in search of a job.

Darjeeling police chief Amit P. Javalgi said: "The person she had described as her father and a gram panchayat member of the area from where she said she was visited the lady at the hospital yesterday. Neither of them could identify her."

He added: "The headmaster of the school in which the lady had said her son was studying could not verify if such a student was enrolled."

The SP said the woman was not kept at the police station on Sunday night.

"The lady was not kept at the Bijanbari police station for the night. The officer in charge of the police station got a call around 3.45pm (on Sunday) from some people in Bijanbari who told him that a lady, who was not in her senses, had lost her way. She was not from the locality and the caller asked if the police could take her to the police station."

He added: "The OC (officer in charge of the police station) asked if she was a minor or an adult and on being informed that she was an adult, a team consisting of a male ASI, lady constables, lady home guards and lady civic police were sent (to get her). On the way to the police station the lady became violent. She was brought to the police station so that her address could be traced and she could be handed over to her family."

The police chief said: "Since the woman couldn't provide any information and was intoxicated, she was taken to the hospital. With the help of some local people, she was taken there around 8pm the same day. The statement that she was admitted to the hospital the next day is wrong."do not providing also whether Everything is being verified said another police officer The medical from of the Bijanbari hospital also that that the woman was intoxicated.


Via Telegraph

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Sikkim woman thrashed by Bijanbari police - All you need to know

8:00 AM

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Sikkim

Lady thrash slur after night in police station - Woman lands up in hospital with bruises, Sikkim panel writes to Darjeeling SP

Vivek Chhetri and Nirmal Mangar

Darjeeling, June 15: A woman from Sikkim who had come to Bijanbari here in search of a job was allegedly beaten up at the local police station where she had been sheltered by social workers on Sunday.

The next day, the police took allegedly by police the next day<> where she is undergoing treatment.

Sources said the woman, in her thirties, had injury marks on the thighs and hands.

The woman has reportedly told some people at the hospital that she was beaten up by the " bara babu" of the police station as well.

The officer in charge is usually referred to as " bara babu".

Sharmila Pradhan, a social worker in Bijanbari, said: "When a couple of us were returning home after attending a meeting on Sunday evening, we saw a woman murmuring to herself on the road. We went up to her and asked her about her family. She told us that she was from Sikkim and her husband had eloped with another woman."

Sikkim woman allegedly thrashed by Bijanbari police

Pradhan said: "The lady also told us that she had kept her son and daughter at her mother's house and she had come here looking for a job."

Pradhan said the lady appeared "slightly drunk".

"I think she was slightly drunk. We decided to call the police so that the woman could be in safe hands," she said.

The social workers contacted the Bijanbari police station.

National anti crime & human rights council of India visit the bijanbari hospital for investigation and took statement from the victim watch the video
"Soon, lady police personnel came and took the woman to the police station," Pradhan said.

She added that she and her friends had also gone to the police station later in the evening.

"I think some police personnel were handling the woman in a rough manner. We wanted to meet the officer in charge of the police station but could not. Since it was getting dark, we decided to go back home," Pradhan said.

The next day, the woman was admitted to the hospital by the police for treatment.

Pradhan and the others came to know about it yesterday and went to the hospital to check on the lady.

"Injury marks could be seen on her thighs and her hands," Pradhan said.

Doctors at Bijanbari hospital have refused to divulge any detail about the woman's condition.

Darjeeling police superintendent Amit P. Javalgi said a probe was being conducted by the deputy superintendent of police.

"An investigation has started. We have sought the woman's medical reports," he said.

According to Javalgi, he was told that since it was late in the evening and raining heavily, the officer in charge of Bijanbari police station decided to keep the woman there on Sunday.

Bijanbari is around 35km from here.

"I have been told that after being informed by some activists, the police got the woman to the police station. But since it was late and raining, they decided to keep her at the police station with lady constables. The next morning, when they found that the woman needed treatment, she was sent to the hospital," Javalgi said.

The chairperson of the Sikkim Women Commission today wrote to Javalgi raising concerns over the alleged custodial torture.

The commission decided to write to the police officer after a photograph of the woman with bruises surfaced in the social media.

"We have sent an email to the Darjeeling SP seeking the details of the incident. We are concerned and we hope that justice will be given to the victim, if it is really a case of police torture," said Rehna Rai, the commission chairperson.

Sikkim West district SP Pratap Pradhan said the law enforcers were trying to locate the woman's family.

Man Prasad Subba, a writer and a retired school teacher from Bijanbari, said: "The woman is not a criminal and she does not deserve to be beaten up so badly. This is inhuman."

Telegraph

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Bijanbari Police brutality on Kala Subba Case, FIR against policemen

11:53 PM

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Sikkim

Update on West Bengal Police brutality on Kala Subba Case, Bijanbari

Bijanbari 16 June 2016 Locals, NGOs and Human Right Volunteers gherau Pulbazar Police Station demanding justice for Kala Subba. People are very much anguished after Police tortured innocent woman brutally as such her health is very critical in Bijanbari hospital.

National Human Rights Crime Control Organisation Sikkim Team and VOS correspondent met with a victim Kala Subba at Bijanbari Hospital who was tortured by police of Pul Bazar Police Station on 12 June.

According to the local social volunteers and NGOs victim's condition is critical . They further alleged that on Sunday when Nari Morcha (Women Social Help Group) handed this homeless lone woman Kala to Police and had informed the police that she was from Sombarey West Sikkim, however, Pul Bazar police did not contact the West Sikkim police, instead they trashed her brutally that night. Next morning ie on Monday morning locals found her in severe condition after being beaten up mercilessly by the Police.

Locals, NGOs and Human Right Volunteers gherau Pulbazar
Police Station demanding justice.

Police 'Bada Bau' (Thana Incharge) and Doctor's role is been seen doubtful after she was admitted at hospital alleges locals.

The Team from Sikkim has lodged FIR against policemen in same Police Station today.




Pics and News Dipak Gurung, VOS Rangpo

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Sikkim women allegedly tortured by West Bengal Police, Police refuse to comment

10:36 AM

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West Bengal

DESTITUTE FEMALE BRUTALIZED IN BIJANBARI - Locals Allege Police Torture, Police Refuse to Comment

A distraught women from Rumbuk in Sombarey, Sikkim Ms. Kala Subba (31 yrs) whose husband had elope with another women and had left her and her two kids straddle, had come to Bijanbari in search of a job . Today some female members of Bijanbari Nari Society (BNS) found her in a helpless condition near Sai Mandir area and took her to the Pulbazar police station seeking help.
Locals alleged that instead of giving her help, the woman was brutally tortured and left with severe injuries by the police, her body is bruised all over and she is undergoing treatment in the local hospital premises.

Once the locals came to know, they gathered yesterday in the hospital and protested against the brutal torture that Ms Kala Subba had to undergo.

Corresponding with TheDC, one of the members of BNS stated, “we took her to the police station, so that she would be protected as we felt the police will help her get back to her family, little did we know the police themselves would turn on her and treat her with such brutality… whatever little faith we had in the police force is today shattered… how could they beat up a helpless woman with such brutality?”

Sikkim women allegedly tortured by West Bengal Police

Locals told us that according to the victim it was Pulbazar OC Sourav Sen who beat her up, however when we contacted OC of Pulbazar police station Sourav Sen, he stated that he could not comment at the moment as the inquiry was being undertaken.

From the duty roster we know that SI Lhakpa Bhutia was on duty today, however when we contacted him he said “I was not at the police station when this happened… I had gone to Singla so I am unaware of what transpired…”

We tried to reach the Duty Officer Mr. Burman who was at the police station today, however we couldn’t connect to him.

Taking a grim view of the issue, noted Women’s rights activist Ms. Rangu Souriya has stated, “This kind of activity of the police is condemnable and shameful... This situation makes us feel ilk girls’ n women r not safe anywhere and it is indeed a matter of grave concern... so we need justice.”
Sandeep Chettri a local social activist stated, “Today the entire police station says they didn’t see anything… how is it possible? A mentally disturbed woman gets brutalized inside a police station and every police officer present there is saying they cannot comment… is this how woman’s rights are protected in this nation?”

In the past 6 months we have received numerous complaints of police excesses, and most of the complaints have concerned Mirik police station.

It could be telling that the entire Bijanbari police has refused to speak on this issue, are they really unaware of what happened, or are they hiding something?

It is shameful that in today’s day and age, basic human rights is not respected in our hills, the officers whoever they are need to ponder, would they react the same way and keep mum, if the victim happened to be their mother, sister, wife or daughter?


सिक्किम सोमबारे निवासी कला सुब्बा (३१) आफ्नो पतिले सौता लिएर घरबाट चम्पट कसेपछि २ जना नानीहरु ११, र ८ वर्षको लाई बोज्युसित छोड़ेर काम खोज्दै बिजनबारी आएकी थिईन् |

तर घटना अर्कै भईदियो | यहाँको साई मन्दिर नजीक कलालाई त्यहीकै बासिन्दाहरुले भेटेपछि पुल थानामा खबर गरि दिए|

अहिले पुलिसले भक्कुचुर कुटपिट् गरेको आरोप छ भने, कला यहाँको ग्रामीण अस्पतालमा उपचाराधीन अवस्थामा छिन् |

आज यहाँ यस क्षेत्रको सचेत नारी र युवाहरु अस्पताल परिसरमा पुलिसको विरोधमा ओर्लिए |


Via:TheDC

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After Kalimpong district demand to upgrade more hill areas

9:37 AM

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Sonada

Writes Vivek Chhetri

Darjeeling, June 10: The state government's decision to create Kalimpong district and Mirik subdivision has triggered demands to upgrade Bijanbari block to a subdivision and carve out Sonada-Rangbull block out of Sukhiapokhari.

The demand is being raised not only by political parties like the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and the Trinamul Congress (Hills) but also by local people who have formed organisations like the Bijanbari Subdivision Demand Committee and Block Establishment Co-ordination Committee (of Sonada-Rangbull).

The convener of the Bijanbari committee, L.M. Lama, said: "Bijanbari is one of the biggest blocks in the region. While we welcome the state government's decision to upgrade Mirik to a subdivision, we request the government to look into our demand to make Bijanbari a subdivision."

Darjeeling Map 

The committee wants the government to create three blocks - Bijanbari, Rimbick-Lodhama and Rangneet-Lebong - in the proposed Bijanbari subdivision.

Currently, Bijanbari block is in Darjeeling (Sadar) subdivision.

The Block Establishment Co-ordination Committee has raised a similar demand for Sonada Rangbull.

Committee general secretary Rajesh Chauhan said: "Since 2009, residents of Sonada-Rangbull area have been demanding a separate block. People of areas like Namsu, Balasun and Margaret Hope have to take three vehicles to reach Sukhiapokhri (for administrative work). This causes great hardships to them."

The Morcha and Trinamul (Hills) have backed both the demands.

N.B. Khawash, general secretary of Trinamul (Hills), said: "We have submitted a written request to the district magistrate of Darjeeling (on June 8) for creating a Sonada-Rangbull block, bifurcation of Kurseong block and the upgrade of Bijanbari to a subdivision."

The hill subdivisions of Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong have eight blocks.

Gorubathan is the largest block (442.72sqkm), followed by Bijanbari (known as Darjeeling-Pulbazar) spread over 416sqkm. The population of Bijanbari (1.26 lakh) is more than Gorubathan (60,663).

Kurseong's Mirik, which is set to become a subdivision, is the smallest block in the hills (119.30sqkm with a population of 46,374 according to the 2011 Census.

Source Telegraph

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GTA Casual workers threaten agitation over regularization issue

12:48 PM

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kurseong

Darjeeling 12 May 2016 Casual workers employed in the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) today threatened to start an agitation next month to pursue their long-pending demand for regularization.

The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha-affiliated Janmukti Asthai Karmachari Sangathan (JAKS), today held a ‘pratanidhi sabha’ or a representatives’ meeting and passed a resolution to take up the regularisation issue as also to demand a raise to their salary once the Assembly results are out.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, JAKS general secretary Kishan Gurung said, “We have waited a long time on year after year of government assurances, but nothing concrete has materialised. Our members are frustrated now. We have given the state government a deadline till June of this year to address our demand; otherwise we will take to the streets.”

Today’s meeting was attended by representatives of 42 units, from Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kalimpong, Mirik, Bijanbari and Tukdah. The GTA presently employs 5,300 workers on temporary basis. These workers were earlier employed under the now-defunct Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council on meagre remunerations.

Deepak Sharma and Kisan Gurung - spokesman for the Jamukti Asthai Karmachari Sangathan - a file photo

After a series of agitations between 2008 and 2011, the then state government had assured to employ 2,372 workers on permanent basis, but that promise has failed to see the light of day. “We will write to the new government about our demand and the resolution we passed today,” Gurung said.

The GJM too, has taken up the regularisation issue in many rounds of bipartite and tripartite talks with the state and central governments as the matter finds mention in the GTA agreement and act.

Further, the JAKS wants the state government to include in practicality the group A and B employees under the enhanced pay structure. Presently, the state government has implemented a pay-band structure with a ceiling for the casual workers. In March this year, the state government enhanced the salary of the workers, but only group C and D workers have benefited. “Only C and D group workers’ salaries have increased and not of the A and B grades even though they are included under the enhanced pay structure as per the state government order,” pointed out Machendra Subba, the JAKS president.

After the enhancement, group C and D workers are getting Rs 22,500 and Rs12,000, respectively per month. Prior to that, the amounts were Rs 8,500 and Rs 6,500, respectively. Meantime, engineers, doctors, high school teachers and managers, who come under the A and B groups, get paid anywhere between Rs 13,500 and Rs 26,000.

Another resolution the casual workers discussed and passed was on the interference in the independent functioning of the GTA. The JAKS has demanded changes in the GTA agreement and act to negate unnecessary meddling by the state government on issues already transferred to the GTA so as to ensure its autonomy in the true sense of the word.

(EOIC)

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Two Confirmed Dead in the Relling Bijanbari Accident

12:00 PM

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election

The district administration has confirmed that two people died in the dangerous accident that took place at NS Golai in Relling near Bijanbari at 9.20 pm on 17th April under Darjeeling District. The vehicle was a Sumo Gold carrying 7 people who were on Election duty. The was vehicle was returning from Relling to Darjeeling after completion of the poll. Among the deceased is a CRPF jawan from Kerala and a Polling officer from Kalimpong. The two among the remaining 5 are said to be in serious condition.

Here is the complete list of people in the vehicle:
1. B M TAMANG,
2. SUNIL SHARMA (DRIVER),
3. PRAMOD SHANKAR,
4. AVISHEK GURUNG,
5. MANIK PEGU,
6. BISHNU RAWAT (DEAD)
7. M C PRADHAN (DEAD)

Pics Yogesh Zina, Darjeeling

Darjeeling Municipality Chairman and GJM Candidate from Darjeeling Mr. Amar Rai today visited the three poll personnel who have been brought to the district hospital following the accident of their vehicle near Relling in Bijanbari last night.

Darjeeling Municipality Chairman Visits Injured Poll Personnel

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One Dead As Poll Vehicle Skids off the Hill in Bijanbari Darjeeling

8:31 AM

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election

Darjeeling 17th April 2016 One CRPF Jawan was killed last night after a vehicle carrying polling personnel plunged down a hill near Relling in Bijanbari Darjeeling.

According to police, the vehicle was carrying 7 polling personnel, which included 2 CRPF Jawans who were returning after conducting the polls. Due to rain the vehicle skidded off the road and plunged down a hill.

Sadly a CRPF jawan NC Pradhan was killed on the spot, while three others were grievously injured. The three critically injured polling personnel were brought to Darjeeling District Hospital and are undergoing treatment.

Bijanbari Darjeeling

Police sources stated that the EVM Machine was recovered with the help of locals, firebrigade and civil defense personnel.

"A CRPF constable died and six were injured when a vehicle carrying the polling team from Bijanbari in Darjeeling constituency fell into a gorge around 8.30pm. The EVM was recovered and the injured were taken to hospital" - Telegraph

Via The DC

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Bimal Gurung inaugurated the new building of the upcoming degree college in Bijanbari

7:33 AM

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mirik

Darjeeling 2 Mar 2016 Gorkhaland Territorial Administration chief executive Bimal Gurung today inaugurated the new building of the upcoming degree college in Bijanbari, the construction of which started in 2012. Last month, the GTA chief also opened a new building of Mirik College keeping with the hill body’s plan to promote education in the hills.

The college was established in 1995 at Lower Samelbung, 5km from Bijanbari. Students had to face a lot of problems due to the distance. The college has now been shifted near the market area at Chungtung Tar and is spread over 6 acres of land. The new building is three-storeyed and the college offers B.A. general courses in History, English, Political Science, Economics and Nepali.

Sameer Sharma, the teacher in-charge of the college, said, “We had submitted a requirement request to the GTA following which the new building was built. Now that we have a new structure with more space and facilities, we will apply for Honours courses as well, although this will depend on the roll strength.”

The new building, which has been built at a cost of Rs7.3 crore, will be able to accommodate 450 students in 12 classrooms. The students come from areas such as Rimbick, Sukhaypokhari and Goke. The new building also has three staff rooms and a multi-purpose hall. It presently has six teaching and eight non-teaching staff members. “We will shift to the new building at the end of this week. And we hope to start the session in April when the Part 3 exams start,” said the teacher in-charge.

While unveiling the new building, the GTA chief executive said it was a gift to the people of Bijanbari and to the future of the students.

“There is more work to be done in the hills. The GTA will strive to work for the people. This college is a gift to the students of the region as they are our future,” said Gurung.

The GTA has promised to provide two buses to the college as has been done for Mirik College. “This college and the one in Mirik have been built from central government funds and nothing has come from the state government. Vidyasagar High school here will also be converted into a model school,” said Gurung.

The cost of the entire project is pegged at Rs7.3 crore and the new building has been constructed at half the cost, with more work to be taken up in the second phase. An administrative building, fencing of the campus, water supply, a science block, hostel facilities and a playground will be constructed later.

(EOIC)

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Stop selling the Gorkhaland dream - Harka Bahadur Chettri

9:24 AM

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Politics

Kalimpong MLA Harka Bahadur Chhetri who is set to float a new political party called for an end to politics of "sentiments" and stopped short of selling the Gorkhaland dream at a public meeting in Bijanbari today.

The two other main speakers, Mahendra P. Lama and Amar Lama, however, raised the statehood issue at the rally. The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha has been attacking Chhetri and his team over the past couple of days, saying they were not bothered about the Gorkhaland issue.

"Gorkhaland has become a signboard. One can use it to sell anything," said Chhetri. "Let's stop politics of sentiment. Just because someone in Siliguri on seeing us (hill people) says whether we want to go to Kakarvitta (border town in Nepal), we get emotional. We can simply tell them that we are not going there (Kakarvitta)," he added.

After the meeting, when asked about his stand on Gorkhaland, the Kalimpong MLA said: "The ultimate goal is Gorkhaland but at the moment, we want to create a strong foundation for it."

However, Amar and Mahendra sought to counter the campaign by the Morcha that they were not keen on the statehood issue. "A false propaganda is being spread against us. We want to say we have not left the statehood demand," said Amar.

In his address, Mahendra, the former vice-chancellor of Sikkim University, said: "The seed of statehood has been sown from Bijanbari (Bijan in Nepali means seed)...... The statehood demand, however, is slowly dying as Gorkhaland is not being raised in Parliament (by Darjeeling MP S.S. Ahluwalia). This is very sad. One cannot get Gorkhaland at Jantar Mantar or in the shopping malls of Delhi."

All the three main speakers during most part of their speeches criticised Morcha president Bimal Gurung and others in the party.

Bijanbari is around 40km from Darjeeling.

Sources said Chhetri was likely to announce the launch of a new party on January 14.

Satish Pokhrel, a GTA Sabha member, said the speeches clearly showed that there was no co-ordination among the leaders of the new front. "Chhetri's speech proves that he is working at the behest of the state government," said Pokhrel.

Source: Telegraph

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Bijanbari Bazar witnessed a mournful start to Diwali.

9:22 AM

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Festival

Today people of Bijanbari bazaar gathered near Meena Hotel with the candles in their hands and sorrows on their faces to mourn for the past tragedy that occurred in Bijanbari valley on 22nd October 2011 in which at least 32 people had been killed and more than 100 injured as a wooden suspension bridge collapsed at Bijanbari.

Bijanbari Bazar witnessed a mournful start to Diwali.

A candle rally was conducted by the people of Bijanbari in the memory of the deceased souls of the Bijanbari Bridge Tragedy. The rally reflected the emotions of the general public towards the lost souls of the tragedy and their families.

The rally started at 6 o’clock after the heart melting speech from Kavi Manprasad subba who told that the incident have left a scar on Bijanbari which can never be erased. He also expressed condolences to the families of the people who died in the incident.

After an hour the rally finally came to end at 7 o’clock in the newly constructed bridge of Bijanbari with the substancial participation from the youths of Bijanbari.

The program that was conducted within a short notice was a success for the people of Bijanbari.

We remember those who lost their life in this sad tragedy!!

[Report: Palson Sherpa for The DC, Pic: Neha Fezong Agam Chowk Bijanbari]

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GTA sabhasad Kaziman Lohagun arrested for allegedly supplying firearms

8:57 AM

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gta news

The Darjeeling police today arrested Pul-Bijanbari-Goke constituency Gorkhaland Territorial Administration member Kaziman Lohagun for his alleged involvement in supplying firearms to six persons who are presently under arrest for threatening a landowner in Jamuney. The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha launched an immediate protest and demanded his release within 48 hours.

GTA sabhasad Kaziman Lohagun being led away by
the police Friday afternoon.

According to Darjeeling SP Akhilesh Chaturvedi, the GTA sabhasad was arrested on the basis of a statement made to the police by the six persons who are in seven days police custody.

“The six arrested persons have stated that Lohagun supplied them with weapons. We arrested the GTA sabhasad this morning on this basis,” he said.

On June 17, Shukraj Limbu, Jaikishan Pradhan, Dutnath Chowrasia, Subash Khatri, Dipak Kumar Rai and Navin Limbu were arrested on the charge of threatening Manilal Tamang, a landowner in Jamuney. The six have been slapped with Sections 447 (criminal trespass), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 34 (common intent) of the IPC read with Sections 3 (IV, V, X and XV) of Prevention of Atrocities on Scheduled Caste and Tribe Act.

Lohagun was produced at the chief judicial magistrate court in the afternoon and has been sent to five days police remand.

“During interrogation, the six arrested persons admitted Lohagun could be in possession of more weapons. Hence, to interrogate him further and recover more firearms, CJM court in-charge Rafiq Ahmed sent the sabhasad to five days police remand,” informed the Assistant Public Prosecutor.

The APP also said the names of two more persons have cropped up while interrogating the six arrested. So far, an improvised gun, a rod and a khukuri have been recovered from the six.

Nine land losers of Jamuney have objected and lodged a complaint against the GTA for forcibly acquiring their land without compensating them. The GTA plans to convert Jamuney into a tourist spot.

Lohagun’s arrest has sparked protests from the GJM with party leaders demanding his release within 48 hours and serving a deputation to the district administration.

“The police have arrested an elected member, who is also a senior citizen and a chronic diabetic. We protest against this move and demand his unconditional release. We will wait till Sunday evening and if Lohagun and the others are not released, we will start a democratic agitation,” warned GJM assistant general secretary Binay Tamang. The GJM also plans to write to the union and state home secretaries apprising them about the sabhasad’s arrest.

Bijanbari town today witnessed a total shutdown in protest following Lohagun’s arrest. Tamang said this was a spontaneous response from the people to the arrest. No untoward incident was reported from the area.

The assistant general secretary, who is also a GTA executive member and heads the information and cultural affairs department, further informed the GTA Sabha will convene an emergency meeting Saturday and adopt a resolution on the arrest.

Commenting on the Jamuney issue and the subsequent arrests, Tamang claimed the entire episode is politically motivated and smells of deep conspiracy.

“Land in Jamuney is not being taken over by the land mafia. It is the GTA, an autonomous body, which is developing the area into a tourist hub for everyone’s benefit. The project was started with the consent of the GTA principal secretary, who is appointed by the state government,” the GJM leader said, adding 12 landowners have signed on the dotted line expressing their willingness to part with their land for development purposes.

Source: EOI

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