Gorkha Martyr’s Day Cum Felicitation Programme Organized by MGSU on 25th August 2013 14 hours ago On 25th August 2013 (Sunday) The Mizoram Gorkha Student Union (MGSU) Organized the Gorkha Martyr’s Day cum Felicitation Programme at Oasis Hall, Thuampui. The Programme started at 1 P.M in the Afternoon. The Chief Guest for the programme was Shri Tamlal Lohar, Secretary, MPSC. The Mizoram Gorkha Student Union (MGSU) & The Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (Mizoram Committee) sponsored the Programme. The First half of the programme was to salute all the Gorkhas Brave-hearts who sacrificed their live for our motherland India And the other second half was to Felicitate all the students who has successfully cleared their examination in High School, Higher Secondary School, Bachelors Degree, Masters Degree and in other forms of Degree. Uphaar Variety Show Organised by Thuampui MGYA on 24th August 2013 14 hours ago The Thuampui MGYA organized the UPHAAR Variety Show on 24th August 2013 In Aid of Om Mandir Construction at the Vanapa Hall. The show started at 7:00 P.M in the evening around 1500 Gorkhas gathered from different part of Aizawl as well as from other districts to enjoy and to be a part of the show. The show was a huge success. We Congratulate all the Organizer for organizing the show so well, the Sponsors who financially helped to organized the show, all the Artist who performed and all the people who came to be a part of the show and cheered the Artist. Sit-In Demonstration by the Mizoram Gorkhas for the Immediate Creation of Gorkhaland on 17th August 2013 1 day and 12 hours ago Darjeeling political scenario over Gorkhaland statehood demand is getting complicated 20 days ago Political scenario of Darjeeling hills, at present under indefinite bandh in old demand of separate statehood spearheaded by Gorkha Janamukti Morcha(GJM) and refueled by Telengana development, is gradually taking complicated turn SILIGURI: Political scenario of Darjeeling hills, at present under indefinite bandh in old demand of separate statehood spearheaded by GorkhaJanamuktiMorcha(GJM) and refueled by Telengana development, is gradually taking complicated turn. Following initiation of indefinite period bandhfrom Saturday morning, many government properties including a police outpost atPokhriabong in Sukhiapokhri area, tourist lodge in Takdah or rest house of PWD at Mirik were torched. Shops, banks, private establishments, markets, hotels, all are closed. Though officially cinchona and tea plantations are out bandh purview, “Without any vehicles running, we cannot get essentials in or our productions out,” said a planter. Vehicles to and from Sikkim through its life line NH31A that runs over Darjeeling hills are also not free from fear as one of them was set ablaze yesterday. Despite strong message of Darjeeling District Magistrate Mr. S Mohan to all to attend offices, practically inside of all offices remained deserted even today but with heavy gathering of picketers outside. A GJM activist Mangal Singh Rajput, who attempted self- immolation succumbed on Saturday giving fresh blood to the movement.”This death took place because of insincere hearing of the Centre and the State to our Statehood demand,” said Benoy Tamang, GJM assistant general secretary. To give the movement a moral boost, large number of Gorkha ex-servicemen have decided to surrender their medals. According to administrative officials, top home department officials are likely to visit Darjeeling soon to assess the situation. While GJM President Mr. BimalGurung is leading the activities in Darjeeling, Mr. RoshanGiri,GJM General Secretary is leading a delegation in Delhi. “Now we do not have anything to discuss with West Bengal state Government. We are meeting top leaders of different sides at Delhi to make them aware of the situation here,” said GJMthinktank Dr. H B Chetri. As learnt, the team could so far meet top BJP leader Mr. Jaswant Singh or Mr. Rajnath Singh or Union Home Minister Mr. S K Shinde. But none could give any hope of formation of Gorkhaland state like Telengana. The team could not have appointment of Mrs. Sonia Gandhi or Mr. Rahul Gandhi. TMC parliamentary party leader Sudip Bandyopadhyaysaid to media, “Telengana is an area of 17 MPs but Darjeeling has only three MLAs. Naturally the issues are different. West Bengal state Government will remain strong against any split of the state.” As a reflection of that at ground level, while old police case files relating to GJM leaders are likely to be reopened, passport of many of them also may also be locked. However, the situation is practically heading towards a political deadlock. “Out of fear psychosis, common people are not expressing their resentment against this bandh. But this will not continue for long and the bandh may get fizzled out. On the other side, Government is also apparently going harder against GJM. Naturally, pressurized from both sides now, GJMmust have something from Delhi that can give it an avenue to withdraw the bandh and save own existence,” said political observers. Source: EconomicTimes West Bengal government will be responsible for any untoward incident: GJM 20 days ago DARJEELING: As the party-sponsored bandh entered the third day on Monday, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), which is spearheading the movement for a separate Gorkhaland state, warned the West Bengal government that it would be responsible for any incident in the hills. “Any incident can happen. The state government will be responsible for it,” GJM president Bimal Gurung said in Kalimpong. Ruling out talks with the Mamata Banerjeegovernment, Gurung reiterated that the Morcha would only talk to the Centre. “There will be no negotiation. We want Gorkhaland,” he said. GJM has called an indefinite bandh in Darjeeling hills from August 3 to demand a separate state of Gorkhaland on the lines of Telangana. A Morcha delegation was currently in Delhi to talk to leaders of various political parties on their demand. UPA government has no plans to create new states 20 days ago NEW DELHI: The United Progressive Alliance government has no plans to create more states during its remaining tenure in office. The Congress leadership and government took a considered view on the matter after reviewing renewed demands and agitation for creating new states, a leader said. The leadership is also reluctant to set up a second State Reorganisation Commission (SRC) to look into demands for new states, even though some sections of Congress are mounting pressure for it. “The UPA-II government has no plans to create any more new states. Telangana has been a special case. The demand for it is half a century old, with well-defined historic, cultural and economic reasons. The renewal of demands for new states is not unexpected. We are hoping to deal with demands and agitation through administrative and political steps”, said a leader who is part of Congress’ and the government’s top decision-making teams. Following the political nod to Telanaga last week, Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, west, east and southern parts of Uttar Pradesh, Gorkha-dominated region of West Bengal and Karbi-Anglong and Bodo areas of Assam have witnessed agitation for new states. It is also no secret that a section of Congress leaders support the creation of Vidarbha and dividing UP into three smaller states, even as Mayawati insists on splitting UP into four new states Indicating the kind of political and administrative steps the Centre may be contemplating in certain cases, a source said, “the Centre is already negotiating with representatives of the Gorkhaland movement on the granting more administrative powers to the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA)”. But in some cases like the Bodo agitation in Assam, the Centre has given the go ahead for the state administration to contain the agitation through political and administrative means. On the possibility of setting a 2nd SRC to consider fresh demands for new states, a government source said: “There are only eight more months for the general elections. We think it will be proper for the next government with a fresh mandate for a full-term to take a considered view on the matter. At the same time, we will see how the issue plays out in the coming weeks, especially in Parliament when the decision to give Telangana state is debated”. The source, however, conceded, that some Congress leaders are pressing for a 2nd SRC as a “way of sending a political message before the next Lok Sabha polls”. In a TV interview senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh recalled his party’s 2002 stand for a 2nd SRC and said it was for the Centre to take a final decision. BJP chief Rajnath Sing too demanded a 2nd SRC. The first SRC, set up in 1953, submitted its report in 1955. Incidentally, many states were created purely on linguistic grounds even though the first SRC had favored “balanced considerations of many more factors” like social, economic and regional aspirations. The subsequent creation, without SRC, of Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh and now Telangana has proven that linguistic division was not the only yardstick for demanding a new state. Source: TO I Proposed Gorkhaland Area and Population 21 days ago Proposed Gorkhaland Area and Population Region/State CD Block/ Municipality/Municipal Corporati Darjeeling Sadar Sub-Division Darjeeling (M) Darjeeling Pulbazar Rangli Rangliot Jorebunglow sukiapokhri Kalimpong Sub-Division Kalimpong (M) Kalimpong- I Kalimpong- II Gorubathan Kurseong Sub-Division Mirik (NA) Mirik Kurseong (M) Kurseong Siliguri Sub-Division Matigara Naxalbari Phansidewa Kharibari Siliguri (MC) Sub-total Duars Sadar Sub -Division Rajganj Dhupguri Mal Sub-Division Mal (M) Mal Matiali Nagarkata Alipurduar Sub-Division Madarihat Kalchini Kumargram Sub-total GORKHALAND Gorkha Janmukti Morcha workers try to block district magistrate’s office; four detained 21 days ago The bandh continued to paralyse life in Darjeeling hill areas with shops, markets, offices, schools and colleges remaining closed. DARJEELING: Four Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) workers were today detained when they tried to block the entrance of the district magistrate’s office here on the third day of the indefinite bandh in the hills to demand a separate state of Gorkhaland. Police intervened when a group of GJMworkers tried to block the main gate of the district magistrate’s office at about 9.30 AM. Four of them were detained, police said. Sixteen persons were arrested last night for setting afire the Takdah forest bunglow last week, police said. With this, the total number of those arrested has risen to 19 in connection with the incident. The bandh continued to paralyse life in Darjeeling hill areas with shops, markets, offices, schools and colleges remaining closed. Vehicles also did not ply, official sources said. Hills commercial hub turns into political nerve centre during bandhs 21 days ago DARJEELING: The Mall is Darjeeling’s prime spot on normal days. That’s where residents and visitors meet, have a cuppa and exchange the latest town gossip, besides lounging and taking in the breathtaking views of the snow clad peaks in the distance. But come a bandh and ground zero of this town shifts to Chowk Bazar, its commercial hub which becomes the political nerve center. A shutdown such as the ongoing one that entered its second day on Sunday, changes the face of Chowk Bazar. On normal days it is an overcrowded street with shoppers jostling with honking vehicles for space.Chowk Bazar or simply ‘market’ to locals is also the wholesale market that the rest of the district sources its foodstuff and all other goods and commodities. But on ‘bandh’ days, Chowk bazaar gets transformed into a political nerve center. For most residents of Darjeeling, a stroll down to the ‘market’ is an integral part of their ‘bandh’ routine. They start arriving from late morning and by 10 am, the Chowk Bazar is chock-a-block with people of all age groups, classes and communities. “The ‘market’ is where we get to know what has happened all over the hills in the past 24 hours and which way the wind is blowing. This is where we also get our newspapers from,” says Dinesh Pradhan, who owns a popular eatery. A blank wall of a three-storey building facing the main street becomes the cynosure of all eyes: popularly known as the ‘democracy wall’, this is where all political parties put up their posters. The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, which is spearheading the current agitation puts up a makeshift stall to accept donations. Second-rung Morcha leaders also visit this place and interact with the people. An open first-floor balcony, popularly known as ‘Sumeru Manch’ adjoining a 99-year- old municipal market becomes the vantage point for Morcha leaders and activists throughout the day. Constructed during Subhas Ghising’s rule over the Hills, this is where leaders of political parties make announcements and speeches. From late morning and throughout the day, groups of slogan-shouting and flag-waving supporters and activists of the Morcha and its affiliates from various localities in and aroundDarjeeling make their way to Chowk Bazar, where Morcha leaders assign them their duties—which offices to picket and gherao or where to demonstrate. “During shutdowns, Chowk Bazar is the place to visit. At such times, after a late breakfast, I call up my friends and we fix a time, usually around 11 am, to meet at the market. We meet more people there, exchange the latest news and gossip,” Dipen Shrestha, a physical instructor, told TOI. The ‘market’ is where news is dissected and discussions on the political developments take place. A part of this main road and also the small lanes inside the markets on both sides of this road become cricket pitches for children who are starved of open spaces in Darjeeling. Citizens generally spend a couple of hours here before heading back home for lunch. The Morcha also arranges for lunch for the people and regulars at this ‘market’ congregation know where this arrangement is made— generally in one of the by-lanes off the main street. Post-lunch, most of the visitors are back at Chowk Bazar to catch up on the latest developments and get an inkling of what the next day will bring. The Morcha supremo, Bimal Gurung, generally sends important messages from his residence around late afternoon to the Morcha men present at Chowk on future plans. On some rare days, like on Sunday, he comes to make a speech. Bandh or no bandh, Chowk Bazar plays a crucial role at all times, economically in normal times, socially and politically during the frequent shutdowns that Darjeeling experiences. Source: TOI Darjeeling politicians like its weather 21 days ago DARJEELING: Quite like its weather, Darjeeling’s politicians have been a very fickle lot. Over the past three decades, they’ve taken the Hills to the brink of despair and desperation, much like the monsoon mist that covers everything like a depressing grey pall, before offering snatches of hope akin to the itinerant sunshine. As Darjeeling steps into another of the indefinite shutdowns from Saturday that it has been forced by its successive “leaders” to grow accustomed to, denizens of this once- picturesque town wonder if this is the beginning of a journey back to those “dark days” of the mid-to-end 1980s that heralded Darjeeling’s “end of innocence”. Till the 1980s, recalls septuagenarian Nirmal Pradhan, a former schoolteacher and short-story writer, Darjeeling (signifying this town and the entire district) was a “laid- back, genteel, cosmopolitan and cheerful place” where “even the grey mist would fail to dampen the spirit of the people”. The GNLF-led agitation from the mid-1980s changed all that. After years of fear, violence and uncertainties, the 1988 accord that led to the formation of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) offered a strong ray of hope. But the tall promises of development and prosperity offered by the GNLF to the Hills people never translated to reality. Even so, save for the idiosyncrasies of Subash Ghisingh, the mercurial GNLF chief, people here settled down to the humdrum rhythms of a “normal” life. Then came the ‘Indian Idol’ contest and the public frenzy and support for contestant Prashant Tamang was leveraged by one of Ghisingh’s close aides, Bimal Gurung, to rebel against his mentor, overthrow him and float his own outfit, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM). The GJM revived the dormant demand for Gorkhaland and plunged the Hills into yet another long spell of upheavals. And once again, an agreement (like in 1988) that led to the formation of the Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) offered the optimism of better times. But, again, that was not to be. The constant friction between Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and Gurung kept the Hills tethered to uncertainty and tension. And now, there seems to be no escape from the gloom that even the weather-gods appear to have decreed for Darjeeling, with its permanently overcast skies that offer no possibility of even a ray of sun to penetrate. “There have been agitations in the past and we’ve become used to them. We’ve even learnt to take them in our stride. But this time, there’s an inexplicable sense of foreboding that something bad will happen,” said Kunal Chettri, who runs a tea export business and has a garments store on HD Lama Road in Darjeeling town. A former professor of political science of Darjeeling Government College who did not want to be named told TOI: “This time, the break between (Bimal) Gurung and the Bengal government appears to be beyond repair. Gurung cannot afford to step back from the ‘do or die’ stance he has just adopted on Gorkhaland.” The Morcha supremo won’t be able to sell another GTA with greater powers to the people here and it’s highly unlikely that the Centre will offer any assurance on Gorkhaland, he pointed out. “The only way forward for Gurung is to take an extreme stand and intensify the agitation. That’s where our fear lies, because such intensification will lead to an inevitable and strong crackdown by security forces and that’ll provoke more backlash. There’s bound to be collateral damage too. This spiral of violence and counter-violence will ruin Darjeeling and the Hills.” The professor’s fears are not unfounded. GJM leader Roshan Giri told TOI that there will be no stepping back from Gorkhaland now, no more “half-measures” like GTA. “It’s either Gorkhaland or death,” he said. Taking such an extreme stand precludes any possibility of accommodation. And with New Delhi unlikely to play ball, GJM will have no option but to up the ante. All of which translates into very bad news for Darjeeling. Source: TOI Gorkha Janmukti Morcha to intensify statehood stir 21 days ago DARJEELING: The Darjeeling Hills seem to be headed for more trouble with the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) on Sunday deciding to intensify the statehood stir into a “final struggle” pitching the movement into a direct confrontation with state authorities. GJM supreme Bimal Gurung announced the intensification of the stir at a large public rally in Darjeeling. Calling it as the “final struggle” for Gorkhaland, Gurung said that the West Bengal governmentwould try to suppress the movement by force. “But we’ll achieve Gorkhaland even at the cost of our lives. We’ll keep our movement non-violent and democratic, but the Bengal government will unleash security forces on us. But do not fear. Lay down your lives with a smile and ‘Gorkhaland’ on your lips,” he told a wildly-cheering crowd. No trouble was reported from Darjeeling district in the past 24 hours but Sunday started on an ominous note with a few score slogan-shouting GJM activists laying siege to the Darjeeling sadar police station around 8 am demanding the release of five Morcha supporters who were rounded in a pre-dawn swoop. Four of them were later released on bail, while the fifth has been remanded to judicial custody till August 7. Darjeeling district magistrate Saumitra Mohan said that a dozen-odd people have been arrested on Sunday from all over the district “for their involvement in arson and other subversive activities”. Central security forces staged marches in some parts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong on Sunday. Kalimpong was tense when the body of Mangal Singh Rajput, who tried to immolate himself on July 30 and died on Saturday, was brought. Large crowds gathered on the streets of Kalimpong to pay homage to Rajput, called a ‘martyr’ by the GJM. A memorial to Rajput was set up in Kalimpong. “We are all very pained at the first incident of self immolation for the Gorkhaland movement. The death is a result of the indifference that the political parties, the Centre and state have shown to the movement,” said Binay Tamang, assistant general secretary of the Morcha. All through Sunday, GJM supporters and activists took out rallies in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong shouting slogans in favour of Gorkhaland. Various communities, including Muslims, also brought out their own rallies that merged with the congregation in Darjeeling. Candles were lit in memory of Rajput and leaders of various affiliates of the GJM delivered fiery speeches vowing to prevent Rajput’s sacrifice go in vain. A six-member GJM delegation was in New Delhi and met BJP president Rajnath Singh and senior Congress leader and in-charge of West Bengal C P Joshi. “While Joshi assured us that he will inform the party’s high command about the demand for Gorkhaland, Singh said that the matter will be discussed in the party’s parliamentary board,” GJM general secretary Roshan Giri said. Gurung said that Joshi has asked for documents in support of the Gorkhaland demand. “We’re preparing them and will send them to the Congress leader soon,” said Gurung. The GJM chief added that the Gorkhaland issue will be raised in Parliament by the BJP soon. Senior Trinamool leader and panchayat minister Subrata Mukherjee called the ongoing indefinite strike an “obstinate decision”. He reiterated chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s stand ruling out a division of the state. But with the GJM also ruling out anything less, a confrontation on the streets seems to be on the cards.
Posted on: Tue, 27 Aug 2013 05:08:13 +0000
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