Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA)
chief executive Bimal Gurung, who is presently in Delhi, today shared
his thoughts on why a Gorkhaland state would be beneficial to all
residents of the Darjeeling hills.
He said, “Gorkhaland would be a model
region and establish the identity of all those living in it. The
proposed state would not be for any particular group of people, but for
all Indian citizens.”
The GTA chief, who is also the president
of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, expressed gratitude to the BJP for
standing by his party’s side.
“We have forged ties with the BJP since
2007 and will ensure it emerges as the largest party in West Bengal
following the 2016 assembly elections,” pledged Gurung, adding the
saffron front is the best example of good governance and social harmony.
He further said that although statehood
is the ultimate objective, the GJM wants the state government to
transfer all concerned departments to the GTA in a smooth and proper
manner. According to Gurung, only a Gorkhaland state would be the
permanent solution to the hills’ myriad problems.
“We are not aliens,” he asserted. “But
West Bengal often looks at us as though we have come from some other
nation. We have been living in Darjeeling since generations. Our
forefathers were Indians, hence we too are Indians. How can anyone even
remotely consider us as foreigners? Even if a separate state is
achieved, we would always remain as citizens of India.”
The GTA chief executive went on to say
that if the Mamata Banerjee government does not solve trivial issues
such as transferring of departments to the GTA in an amicable manner, it
could give rise to unnecessary tensions. The chief minister should not
treat the statehood issue as a political matter but see in it the
aspiration of the people to govern themselves, remarked Gurung.
He also noted the sensitive geographical
location of the Darjeeling hills given the proximity of the four
international borders of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and China.
Reverting to the differences between the
state government and the GTA, Gurung said it would be beneficial to
both sides if the former stopped its undue interference.
He said, “We signed the GTA agreement
with the state and central governments for autonomy and we stand by it.
But the state government has not yet confirmed the jobs of 6,000
temporary employees in the autonomous region and this matter is just one
bone of contention. We are working with a vision, but it is unfortunate
that the state government is not cooperating as expected.”
Further, the GJM chief accused the chief
minister of creating hurdles and alleged the police and the Trinamool
Congress of acting in league to disrupt whatever goodwill has been
achieved by his party. He also said central forces have been used
without any justification against people residing within the GTA.
When asked whether he would meet Chief
Minister Mamata Banerjee in Kalimpong on September 2, Gurung said a GJM
delegation would meet her and try to smooth out the creases. “As I will
still be in Delhi seeking an audience with central leaders, I will not
be able to attend the Kalimpong meeting”, he said.
Talking about the issue of infiltration,
the GJM chief said the Darjeeling hills and the plains of Siliguri are
under severe threat of a Bangladeshi influx. Besides creating law and
order problems including social tension, the infiltrators are trying to
change the very demography of the region. Such illegal immigrants get
their voter identity and ration cards within no time at all, alleged
Gurung. He urged the state government to take strong action to check
such rampant and unchecked infiltration by Bangladeshis if the region is
to witness sustained growth, prosperity and peace.(EOIC)