Darjeeling: April 10, 2012

Bharatiya Gorkha Bhutpurwa Sainik Morcha (ex-servicemen) observed ‘Black Day’ commemorating the incident which took place in 9th April 2008 at Siliguri, where they were injured in a lathi charged by the Bengal police when conducting a peaceful rally for the separate state Gorkhaland.

The rally of the ex-servicemen with black flags in their started from Darjeeling railway station, encircled the town and ended at Chowrasta into a public meeting. The meeting was presided over by Bharatiya Gorkha Bhutpurwa sainik morcha (ex-servicemen) central committee President Col. Ramesh Allay.

President Col. Ramesh Allay addressing the gathering said that the ex-servicemen has always dreamed of separate state of Gorkhaland and will always uphold it. Remembering the day he said that the day cannot be forgotten when Bengal police instead of protecting, lathi charged the ex-serviceman, beaten up so badly at Darjeeling More in Siliguri where they were conducting peaceful rally for the separate state Gorkhaland said Alley.

Mentioning more Allay said that they even met Darjeeling MP Jaswant Singh concerning the issues that till date after the episode in 9th April 2008, no action has been taken. The MP in return has given us positive assurance to look into the matter seriously he added. MP has even said that he will be raising question in the parliament pertaining to the incident added Alley.

The BGBSM has also submitted a memorandum to the district magistrate under the leadership of President Col. Ramesh Allay followed by Col P.B Subba, Col. Jogendra Dixit, Col Kunju Kumar Tshering and Col. Shanta Rai demanding for justice which till date has been missing.

Alley also said that till date no compensation has been given by the government to those ex-servicemen, demanding for the report of one man commission enquiry on police atrocities on ex-servicemen, and they has also demanded for the recruitment of Gorkhaland Personnel (GLP) where government should give extra packages for the GLPs.

Demanding for the inquiry of the 9th April episode, the Gorkha Janmukti morcha and Bharatiya Gorkha Bhutpurwa sainik morcha gave pressure on government as a result of which government formed the one man commission inquiry committee under the leadership of B.L.Meena but till now no proper action has been taken by the government on this matter.

Also present on the meeting were Sainik morcha zone president captain B.M lama, secretary captain Siwa Kumar Rai, Col. P.B Subba, Col Kunju Kumar Tshering, Col Jogendra Dixit.

Likewise, though there was no observation of the ‘infamous’ Black day in Kalimpong town, still the Akhil Bharatiya Bhutpurva Sainik (ABBS) and Para Military Morcha conducted postering in various areas of the town. The posters read’ “We totally condemn the April 2008 inhumane action of the Bengal Police”. “The Government should look upon the matter and do a CBI enquiry as soon as possible”.

The posters depicting their need for justice demanded that the State Government is answerable to the brutal act. Along with the demand for righteousness they also put posters for the demand of Terai- Dooars which stated, “Return us our areas of Terai and Dooars”.

In Mirik, the Akhil Bharitya Bhutpurwa Gorkha Sainik and Para-military committee Mirik division observed Black Day. Earlier in the day a rally was organized under the leadership of Pandu Tamang which started from Krishnanagar and ended at BDO office. The ex-servicemen with black arm bands and flags conducted the peace rally. The committee has submitted a memorandum to the block development officer asking the speedy investigation of the episode and compensation for the ex-servicemen. (TS)

 

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