Demarcated areas not according to GJM proposals, notifies Binay Tamang GJM submits its final draft

MUKESH SHARMA KALIMPONG, June 04: BENAY TAMANG The 1st proposal for the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) demarcation for the areas which come under Kalimpong Sub Division was presented on April 30. And on the same day the 2nd proposal, a rectified one was handed over to the Darjeeling District Magistrate (DM). Likewise, the 3rd proposal was submitted again on May 08. But when the draft prepared mentioning the rectified areas was sent back by the Administration, again a 4th proposal was put forward by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) on May 10. Hence, after presenting 4 proposals to the Administration, yet again a 5th proposal was made on May 13 regarding the areas stretched about 63 kms along the National Highway (NH) 31A which falls under the Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Kurseong Sub Divisions.

 After this proposal was submitted to the Administration on May 15, the notice was released on May 28 by the Administration informing about the demarcation. The GJM Central Committee General Secretary, Binay Tamang speaking on this regard notified that the demarcated areas mentioned in the notice issued by the Administration is totally opposite to that of GJM’s proposals. Even the public at various areas have expressed their dissatisfaction about it, he added. further, Tamang acquainted that though the Administration had given a time until June 02, in order to keep forward the complaints and suggestions about the same, the Morcha on May 29 and 30 prepared a comprehensive rectification proposal which after getting the permission from the Morcha Chief on May 31 was submitted to the DM on June 01, as the final draft. The said draft might have also been sent to Kolkata, he told. According to the draft, 13 Constituencies are earmarked under Kalimpong, 10 under Kurseong and 19 under Darjeeling and the rest remaining 3 Constituencies are formed by comprising areas of Darjeeling- Kalimpong and Darjeeling- Kurseong. The elections are expected to be conducted in the month of July and soon the High Power Committee’s report shall also be presented, mentioned the General Secretary. Saying that the indifferences created within the Morcha regarding the demarcation is totally wrong, Tamang added that all the issues about the same started from the Kalimpong Sub Division Morcha Branch, whereas there are no such happenings in Darjeeling and Kurseong. Also clarifying the question which was raised recently after the demarcation of Kalimpong Sub Division getting lesser seats, Tamang said that the seat allocation was based on the number of voters. 

Though Kalimpong area is vast still there are less number of voters, hence the seat allocation was less. Likewise, the General Secretary, speaking on the issue of Party workers working against the Party, he added that during the meeting between the all the GJM Sub Divisional Parties, Central Committee and Study Forum, the Central Committee had made clear that actions will be taken by the Morcha to those who are against the demarcation. But until now at many places the order is still not being followed. The Party shall take strict actions who work against the Party, may it be the Party President or the working members, he asserted. Also talking about the statement being flashed out stating that the contestant from the Samsing- Kumani area should be according to the public choice, he notified that further enquiry is going on in this matter. Tamang also acquainted that right at the moment, the GJM are on a Gaon Chalo Abhiyan which aims in making the people understand about the Draft of the GTA and the Constituencies. The Morcha has also issued a declaration letter in which it has been mentioned that a list will be prepared in which the names of the party workers of all the Branches and Sub Branches and Sub Divisional Committees along with their designations will be included. And the candidates chosen by them for the President should have been accepted by them. Lastly, complaining about a report being published by a Nepali daily from Siliguri, he recommended that the reporters should write what they see. Neither less, nor more than that.