Where have Human Rights Watch Dogs Gone?

Conceptualized by Barun Roy

2 fall critically ill, 7 in danger

Kalimpong, Feb. 25: Two of the 29 Gorkha Janmukti Morcha supporters taking part in a fast-unto-death in front of the subdivisional office here fell critically ill today.

The two youths, Saroj Basnet (25) and Suman Pradhan (19), are being given oxygen at the site of the hunger strike.

P.T. Sherpa, the subdivisional officer (SDO) of Kalimpong, said Basnet has been on fast since February 17, when the latest round of the indefinite hunger strike began. Pradhan, on the other hand, joined the fasting protesters on February 19.

Seven others need urgent medical attention, but are refusing treatment.

“We have 10 ambulances at our disposal, including two that arrived from Siliguri today, to meet any eventuality,” Sherpa said.

The scene at the subdivisional office was charged with emotion as Morcha supporters kept visiting the place in droves to express their solidarity with those on fast.

“We met the SDO and impressed upon him the need to set up a temporary hospital to treat the protesters, but only if they are willing,” said Norden Lama, the Kalimpong branch president of the ABGL, an important opposition party in the hills.

The administration has already employed a huge contingent of medical staff at the spot. The superintendent of Kalimpong Subdivisional Hospital, S.R. Pradhan, is supervising the arrangement.

“We are working round the clock because the situation can turn critical anytime,” Pradhan said.

In the afternoon, the women’s wing of the Morcha gheraoed the Hilltop residence of Dawa Pakhrin, the Kalimpong branch president of the GNLF, for continuing to speak in favour of the Sixth Schedule status.

They also took out a procession through the main thoroughfares of the town, shouting slogans in favour of Gorkhaland. [The Telegraph]

Morcha man ready to stake marriage

Kurseong, Feb. 25 [VIVEK SINGH] : A 29-year-old is ready to call off his marriage to help the indefinite hunger strike produce results. [Inset: Lama on fast. Picture by Vivek Singh]

Sonam Lama’s marriage to Rachana Pradhan has been fixed for March 12. The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha supporter has been on fast for the past nine days in front of the subdivisional office here. To him, Subash Ghisingh’s removal is more important than the health of his father R.B. Lama, who has lost both kidneys, or his marriage.

“Until the government does something about the Morcha demand, I will not leave this place, even if it means I have to sacrifice my marriage,” Lama said from his bed in front of the subdivisional office. “I will fast to death to attain the aspirations of the hill people.”

Rachana said she was ready to meet the consequences of an indefinite hunger strike. “If our marriage is sacrificed, it will be for a greater cause.”

The 28-year-old resident of Munda Tea Estate, 20km from here, had been in love with Sonam for the past two years. She said with a note of pride in her voice that the doctors have asked Sonam to get admitted to hospital, but he refused.

Lama was once the branch president of the All Gorkha Students’ Union — an apolitical students organisation. He joined the Morcha in November last year.

For Lama, his presence at home was not that important, although his father is very ill. “For me the aspiration of the people of the hills who have dreamt of Gorkhaland is more important than my family,” said Lama. [The Telegraph]

More support trickles in for GJM

Siliguri, Feb. 25: Three more Gorkha Janmukti Morcha supporters joined the hunger strike at Dagapur today, taking the number of protesters on fast to 23 on the fifth day.

In the hills, the indefinite bandh entered the sixth day even as police escorted passengers to Kurseong, Darjeeling and Kalimpong. Those wanting to travel to the hills will have to register themselves with the Matigara police station, from where they would be escorted out once a day.

“Both the indefinite bandh and the hunger strike will continue till our demands are met,” said Binay Tamang, the press and publicity secretary of the Morcha. “Our supporters have decided to launch similar agitation in the Dooars from tomorrow.” The spots include Malbazar and Bagrakote, sources said.

A three-member delegation of the Morcha, led by general secretary Roshan Giri, started for Delhi today. “After they take stock of the situation there, they will discuss and decide on meeting political leaders,” Tamang said. He, however, asserted that the delegation would not meet chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, who is now in the capital. “We stick to our stand. If the chief minister wants a discussion, he would have to come to Darjeeling.”

Morcha president Bimal Gurung, however, said if there was an official communication from the government, the party might consider it.

At Dagapur, 3km from here, the condition of three protesters deteriorated and doctors advised hospitalisation. “But they are determined to continue with the hunger strike,” said Lalit Thapa, the Sukna branch president of the Morcha.

The vice-chancellor of the Sikkim Central University, Mahendra P. Lama, visited the protesters. He had also been to Darjeeling and Kurseong.

Two supporters from Sukna met with an accident on way to Dagapur after the motorbike they were riding collided with a cycle. The cyclist and one Morcha supporter were hospitalised.

Four Left parties — the CPRM, CPI-ML, CPI-ML (Liberation) and the SUCI — today pledged their support to the Morcha in a joint news conference. [The Telegraph]

Governor wants end to bandh

Kolkata, Feb. 25: Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi has appealed to the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha to withdraw the indefinite bandh in the hills and respond to the chief minister’s invitation for talks.

“I’ve (been) following the recent crisis in Darjeeling district closely. The fast… has caused me great concern,” a statement issued by the governor’s office this evening said.

Earlier in the day, Subash Ghisingh met Gandhi and told him that the government should take steps to restore normality as the hill economy was being hit by the Morcha’s “destructive agitation”.

“It is my duty to tell you that the council has been crippled by a destructive agitation. I want the state to make arrangements to ensure normality,” a Raj Bhavan source quoted Ghisingh as saying.

Asked if he told the governor that the state should ask for the deployment of central forces in the hills, the official said: “It is not for Ghisingh but the state to decide.” [The Telegraph]

Morcha warm to talks idea- ‘Official communication’ is the key word

Darjeeling, Feb. 25: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha seems to be warming up to the Bengal government’s proposal for a dialogue to end the stalemate in the Darjeeling hills.

Bimal Gurung, the president of the Morcha, today said, “If the state government sends us an official invitation, it can be placed before the party’s central committee for discussion. We might attend the meeting, but so far there has been no such communication.”

Chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee had yesterday invited all opposition parties in the hills for talks in New Delhi, where the CPM politburo meeting is being held. Six parties from the hills — except the Morcha —agreed to send their representatives to meet the chief minister in the capital tomorrow.

Today, Bengal governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi appealed to the Morcha to withdraw the bandh, break the fast and respond to the chief minister’s invitation.

“I am ready to die” - Hunger striker

Source: Himalaya Darpan

Women Proterstors before Dawa Pakhrin’s house

Source: Himalaya Darpan

Leaders should learn from MLA Pranai - Dr. Harkabahadur Chettri

Source: Himalaya Darpan

A poster in Kurseong

Source: Himalaya Darpan

Procession in favour of Sixth Schedule

Source: Himalaya Darpan

Tibetan Girls request for participating on ‘fast unto death’

Source: Himalaya Darpan

Madhyamik Examination Ends

Source: Himalaya Darpan

Closure of transport hit tourists and local people

Source: Himalaya Darpan

‘Fast Unto Death’ 9 days, Indefinite Strike 6 days over

Source: Himalaya Darpan

“After implementation of Sixth Schedule Siliguri will become a new state” - Dr. M. P. Lama

Source: Himalaya Darpan

Dr. Mahendra P. Lama visits Hungerstrikers in Darjeeling

Source: Himalaya Darpan

Subash Ghisingh effigy burnt again!

Source: Himalaya Darpan

Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh members leave for N. Delhi

Source: Himalaya Darpan

Petition for Finance from MPLAD for Gorkha Community Hall

Source: Himalaya Darpan

Municipal Commissioner to join GJM

Source: Himalaya Darpan

Former MLA demands for resignation

Source: Himalaya Darpan

Bengali Youth take path in ‘fast unto death’

Source: Himalaya Darpan

“The Chief Minister should remove Ghising”: Madan Tamang

Source: Himalaya Darpan

Ghisingh meets Bengal Governor

Source: Himalaya Darpan

Mamta Condemns Ghisingh

source: Himalaya Darpan

Standing Committee to submit report by Feb. 28

Source: Himalaya Darpan