Kalimpong, April 27, 2012:

There was no warm welcome to the North Bengal Development Minister, Gautam Dev during his recent visit to Darjeeling and Kalimpong by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) including the Kalimpong MLA, Dr. Harka Bahadur Chettri. This has left the people with doubts stating that whether Dev’s visit was unaccepted or is the Morcha against him.

Clarifying the doubts, the MLA, Chettri said that their absence during Dev’s visit cannot be termed as unaccepted. Nobody from GJM could be present for everybody was busy with their own schedules. Notifying that the GJM head Bimal Gurung is on his tour of Dooars, Chettri asserted that there is a disturbed situation at Dooars and provision of safety to the people there is GJM’s foremost duty right at the moment. The MLA added that Dev had visited the said places according to his planned schedule and between this GJM’s interference was not at all needed. Another reason for the GJM members not to be present is that according to the GJM, the Morcha members are not supposed to be present during any Governmental programmes.

Further, Chettri supporting the statement of the Kurseong MLA, Trilok Dewan of refuting Dev, said that there is a reason for Dewan to comment this way because when the Morcha had declared bandh in the Terai- Dooars, then Dev had asked them to call off the bandh and also had told them that he will try to plan a meeting for the Morcha. Hence, the bandh was called off, but Dev going against his assurance instead made to apply section 144 via administration. Though this blame is uncertain, but the GJM remains doubtful that Dev has been a part of this act.

The MLA also dismayed over the fact of GJM not being allowed to conduct a public meeting at the Parliament (Vidhan Sabha) said that it is the constitutional right of any political party to organize meeting at the Parliament. “We are going to take this issue to the parliament”, he added.

Further when questioned about the bandhs and meetings hampering the tourism industry of the hills, Chettri answered that one should clearly understand that the issues of the public is in one hand and tourism in the other, but it is important that the agitation which has been prolonging since the last 4 years has to come to conclusion. “Everything has a price to pay. In order to attain one’s right problems will occur”, he underlined. “Why only the Gorkhas are being kept aloof from their rights?” Chettri questioned.

Lastly he quoted, “GTA is the only way to attain Gorkhaland. If tomorrow Telengana is formed, then Gorkhaland should also be definitely formed. Talks can lead u nowhere but actions do help you get somewhere”. (TS)

 

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