Mamata suppressing Gorkhaland demand through CRPF, alleges GJM

Mukesh Sharma Kalimpong, March 21: “The state government by deploying the CRPF is trying to suppress our constitutional demand for a separate state”, alleged the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) Central Committee Secretary, Samuel Gurung today. While addressing a gathering at Damber Chowk, Kalimpong, after a silent rally by the Morcha, Gurung said that the state government is trying to create insurgency in the hills.

 But the Morcha shall not step back and will stand against all odds, he added. Mentioning about the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) agreement, Gurung said that, it has been clearly mentioned that the agreement shall bring development in the hills and the Gorkhaland demand will not be sidelined in the process. However, he alleged that the Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee has violated the agreement.

 “Whenever she visits the hills she keeps on repeating that West Bengal will not be bifurcated, when she clearly knows that the people of the hills desperately want a separate state”, he said. On this context Gurung made it clear that the Morcha is not aiming to divide the WB state, but are simply demanding that the hills should be returned to their rightful owners. 

The Morcha Secretary also highlighted the aftermath of CRPF’s deployment in the hills during 1986 agitation. People were slaughtered at large, the forces trespassed into the houses of the agitators and tortured them and women were physically harassed, he said and added that the Trinamool government aims to repeat the same. “The CM should realize that there is a vast difference between the people then and now.

 We are much aware about the intention of the government unlike our predecessors”, he said and cautioned that they will not spare any person who tries to hold back the Gorkhaland demand. Gurung also sought apology from the CM over her comment of Gorkhaland agitation being a ‘separatist’ movement.

 “In no grounds our movement can be labeled as separatist. We are demanding our rights as per the Indian constitution”, he said. Lastly, the Morcha Secretary urged all to stay united and carry forward the demand. During the meeting, the Gorubathan Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader, Kumar Chamling (Rai) joined hands with the GJM. Various GTA Sabhasads, Morcha workers, activists and the public were also present at large.