Updates on Sunkosh Yatra

A Press Release by Gorkha Janmukti AGSU

Gorkha Janmukti AGSU started “SUNKOSH MARCH” on the 13th of April i.e., 1st of Baishak 2065. The march started from Darjeeling and it will end at the banks of Sunkosh River which lies in the Assam border. The marchers will be traveling a distance of 299 km in about 17 days. Gorkha Janmukti AGSU is the Organisation of two student union i.e., All Gorkha Student Union (AGSU) and Gorkha Janmukti Students Front.

On the first day of the march, 17 marchers started from Chowrasta at the mid time of the Gorkha Ekta Diwas program organized by Gorkha Janmukti AGSU. The marched was flaged of by Mr. Bimal Gurung (President Gorkha Janmukti Morcha), Mr. Prashant Tamang (Indian Idol), Prakiti Giri and Karma Sherpa. The marchers halted for the first night at Sonada. In Sonada a big reception was organized for them. The next day they were joined by 20 more marchers from different part of Darjeeling mounting to 37 people. All the marchers had a medical checkup at Sonada. From Sonada they proceeded towards Kurseong. In Kurseong the marcher were put up at the community hall. Here too they were welcomed by an encouraging number of people. Form Kurseong they started their march towards their next destination that is Tindharia. In Kurseong they were joined by 15 more marchers taking the total to 52. On the fourth day of the march i.e., on the 16th of April the number of marchers reached to 101. They covered a distance between Tindhara and Mangal Maiti, Darjeeling Moor.

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Lathicharge probe sets 16 May deadline

SILIGURI, April 20: The probe into the 9 April police lathicharge on ex-servicemen at Darjeeling More in Siliguri began today. The state government had appointed a one-man inquiry commission to probe into the lathicharge incident in which several ex-servicemen were injured while leading a Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha rally demanding Gorkhaland. Mr ML Meena, principal secretary, department of environment, is conducting the probe. An ex-serviceman and a few members of the Press, all eye witnesses, deposed before the commission today. Mr Meena said the inquiry commission would submit its report by 16 May to the state chief secretary. “We would continue to sit till every interested person deposes before us,” he said.
After deposing before the commission Mr Mams Tamang, an ex-serviceman, said he was astounded by the police brutality on that day. “We were leading a peaceful rally. The police denied us permission to enter Siliguri town. But we were stupefied with consternation when they, without any provocation on our part, pounced upon us as if we were hardened criminals bent on some heinous crime against the state,” he said
Denying the allegation, the Darjeeling district magistrate Mr Rajesh Pandey said the provocation had come that day from a rowdy section of the rally. “There is no doubt that some rowdy elements started pelting the police with stones. Then a few policemen, perhaps in a fit of rage, retaliated. The process of identifying the policemen involved in stone pelting started in earnest following the unfortunate incident. We would not spare the guilty, however highly placed they may be in the police hierarchy,” Mr Pandey said.

War memorial honours the brave

SHERATHANG, April 20: Hundreds of soldiers have sacrificed their lives in the border areas of Sikkim while protecting the country from China, which has now become part of history.  To commemorate the bravery of these soldiers, the state’s Black Cat 17 Mountain Division has built a large war memorial at Sherathang, which stands at the height of 13,500 ft altitude, 5 km from Nathu La border.  A traditional hamlet on a bowed rifle, the war memorial was built with a Sikkimese ethnic design on the roof. At least 267 martyrs’ names, including Sikkimese soldiers who died in other wars, were carved on granite stones and placed on this memorial. “It took nearly six months to collect all the data of the deceased soldiers from individual regiments last year,” said Mr KVS Lalotra GOC state’s Black Cat 17 Mountain Division. “It was difficult to work on this project because the snow lasted longer here disturbing the work,” he added.
The war memorial is called “Water Shed Memorial” which has all the names and data of soldiers who died fighting against Chinese soldiers during the Sino-Indian war of 1962 and heavy artillery skirmish in Cho La border in 1967. “Our Army had fought along the snowcapped terrain and borders of Sikkim to save the state from China and their sacrifices have made us feel proud today,” said Mr Deepak Raj, the Lieutenant General of the Indian Army from New Delhi. Mr Raj was the special guest of the function .

HDFC fails to fulfill promises

SILIGURI, April 20: The HDFC Standard Life Insurance, which promises to its customers and stakeholders, attractive long term returns through regular bonuses, has allegedly fail-ed to fulfill its commitment to its own employees.
“It is a pity that an insurer which claims to secure to its customers financial independence even after retirement deprives its former employees of their legitimate payments,” Ms. Dipika Roy, a former Sales Development Manager with the Siliguri branch of the company, who alleged that she was yet to get her last month’s salary and other dues with the company even seven months after she had resigned fro-m her post at the HDFC Standard Life Insurance’s Siliguri branch on 31 August. Two other former SDMs of the same branch, Mr. Ripon Ghosh and Mr. Kamalendra Kishore, who also claimed that they did not get their pending payments, said that when Rip-on resigned on 15 Nove-mber, the HR manager, Mr. Suchandan Ghosh had assured release of his payments within 90 days, but when Kishore resigned on 10 December, he was said that he would get his dues within 22 days. They pointed out that it pr-oved that the company was not serious about settling the dues of its former employees and fulfilling its commitment to them.

Another ex-SDM, Mr. Gautam Sarkar, who alle-ged that he had not received any payment from the company, including his Provident Fund money, after he resigned in February 2008, noted that no organisation could withhold the release of the mo-ney lying in the PF account of an employee. The HR manager, Mr. Suchandan Ghosh admitted that the inordinate delay in the release of payments was extremely unfortunate, but he refused to comment on the allegations against him.   The Territory Manager, Mr. Shankar Kumar said: “These employees are still on the absconding list of the company as they have not yet submitted their resignations. They are, therefore, according to our service rules, not liable to get their settlement dues.” When told that that the employees have claimed that they had submitted their resignation letters to the appropriate authority the day on which they resigned, and Ms. Dipika Roy had already given a photocopy of the original received copy of her resignation letter to this correspondent, Mr. Kumar refused to talk further on the matter.  With the authorities clea-rly dithering on the issue, the fate of many of these employees, who had once approached people with the promise of a better to-morrow, today hangs in balance. [The Statesman]

Three arrested for minor’s rape and murder

SILIGURI, April 20: The Bhaktinagar police have arrested three youths in connection with the recent rape and murder of a 13-year old girl at Niranjananagar Colony in ward number 36 in Siliguri.  The police however have released the school van puller, who was detained earlier in connection with the rape and murder as he has been found not to be involved in the crime. The partially decomposed body of Seema Das, a class VI student at the Rabindranagar Girls High School, was found dumped in a sack in her locality on 18 April, just two days after she had gone missing.  Following investigations, the police last night arrested three youths from the same Niranjannagar Colony, who have confessed their crime. The trio has been identified as Dipankar Roy, Chottu Mondal, and Sanjib Das. All of them are aged around 20 and while Dipankar is mason by profession, the rest two are garage workers. Another youth involved in the heinous crime was absconding, the police said.

Learning through fun and play- Park pleasure & sporting spirit

Anuradha Raj, the president of Army Wives’ Welfare Association (AWWA), 33 Corps, dedicated an Amazement Park to Shaurya Army Pre School in Sukna on April 12. The park is a venture of the AWWA’s electrical maintenance and engineering branch of HQ 33 Corps.

The school provides pre-primary education to the children of defence personnel and local civilians. The park is the first of its kind in any school in India. The entrance to the park is in the form of a magnificent maze.

A number of amusements such as a pit of colourful sand, a small mountain dotted with tea plants, a rainbow with stars and moon, a motorised sun rising and setting, an erupting volcano and a small river are arranged in the park. An 8feet long tunnel has also been created and children can pass through it. [Inset: The Amazement Park opened at Shaurya Army Pre School and the winners of the Trishakti Corps Troops Inter Unit Handball Championship]

The park has a plantation which has been divided into a number of sections. The first section is “Touch and Smell” where aromatic and herbal plants like tulsi, lemon grass, citronella and curry leaves have been planted. The second section is “Do Not Pluck” where seasonal flower plants are grown. The third section is “Vegetable Growing Area”, while the fourth one is a “Fruit Garden”.

The park was constructed with the aim of imparting education to the children in a playful way. A large number of models of animals like lion, elephant, giraffe, camel, peacock and cow have also been kept in the park.

A number of dignitaries, including General Officer Commanding, HQ 33 Corps, were present during the inauguration of the park.

Hunger strike for Subba’s trial

Darjeeling, April 20: The Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxists (CPRM) will organise a two-day hunger strike across the Darjeeling hills from Thursday to demand a speedy trial of Chattrey Subba, the chief of the Gorkha Liberation Organisation. [Inset: Chattrey Subba]

Subba was arrested for his alleged involvement in the assassination attempt on GNLF chief Subash Ghisingh on February 10, 2001. He is currently lodged at the Jalpaiguri central jail and the trial has not yet concluded.

“We have been submitting memorandums to various officials since March 2007. We had also held a dharna in Jalpaiguri, but nothing has happened. We just want the trial to be completed as early as possible. If the hunger strike fails to make an impact, we will launch a stronger agitation,” said Shekar Chhetri, the chief of the Democratic Revolutionary Youth Front, the CPRM’s youth wing.

“We have nothing to say if Subba is proved guilty but the trial must be completed soon,” he added.

Axe likely on six civic staff

Darjeeling, April 20: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha- controlled Darjeeling Municipality has decided to terminate the services of six employees after allegedly detecting anomalies in their appointments.

Dinesh Gurung, the vice-chairman of the civic body, today said: “These appointments were made by the previous GNLF board at the behest of Deepak Gurung, the Darjeeling committee president of the party, and Aita Raj Dewan, the branch secretary.”

The six were appointed in the Group C and Group D categories in 2005 and have been identified as close relatives of the present group of councillors, the vice-chairman said. Some of these councillors have switched sides and are now members of the Morcha.

Under the West Bengal Municipality Act 1993, no civic body can appoint an employee to any post irrespective of its category without prior approval of the state government.

A labour department circular (No. 5120 LW dated 17-10-1977) states that all candidates should be short-listed through the employment exchange. If the exchange fails to provide qualified candidates, the municipality must, with the prior approval of the state government, advertise for the job through newspapers.

‘Shifted’ after road death

Gangtok, April 20: An official of Rabongla police station has been “shifted” to Namchi, the South Sikkim headquarters, after there were allegations that he had forced students on to a pick-van meant for cargo. The vehicle had skidded 30ft off the road, killing a Class XII boy and injuring 32 on Friday.

The students of VC Ganju Lama Senior Secondary School were headed for the golden jubilee celebrations of Biring High School, which was attended by Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling.

Narendra Sharma, who hailed from Lingmo, a village nearby, died on the spot. The driver of the vehicle Bir Bahadur Rai who had suffered minor injuries was arrested yesterday. A case of rash and negligent driving has been filed against him at the Rabongla police station.

Three others who were referred to Siliguri for further treatment are stable and recuperating. Deepak Prasad, a Class VIII student, has already been discharged. Sangam Rai and Sonam Chopel are expected to return by Wednesday.

Sources said the policeman has been “shifted” to Namchi for the “time being”. Some in the police department said the law enforcer was only “performing his duties” and trying to help the students.

Siliguri link in Knights’ win- Eyes on the ball

Siliguri, April 20: Siliguri boy Wriddhiman Saha justified his elevation to one of the King’s Men as Shah Rukh Khan’s Kolkata Knight Riders won a thrilling Twenty20 match at Eden Gardens today, notching up their second consecutive victory in the Indian Premier League. [Inset: The Sahas watch Kolkata Knight Riders’ match on TV. Picture by Kundan Yolmo]

After a quiet game in Bangalore, Saha sparkled with the ’keeper’s gloves in front of a packed Eden crowd, while his family in Siliguri sat glued to the TV. First Saha ran to take a tumbling catch at silly mid-on and dismiss Deccan Chargers’ Rohit Sharma. Later, he acrobatically deflected the ball on to the stumps following a wide throw from Mohammad Hafeez to run out Pragyan Ojha. In between, he also held an edge off Sanjay Bangar’s bat.

But for these moments of brilliance, the Knight Riders might have lost the match.

Civic closure eased

Kalimpong, April 20: The decision of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha to relax the indefinite closure of the Kalimpong Municipality by allowing some of its offices to function on alternate days has been welcomed by residents of the town. [Inset: Meena (left) on his way to Darjeeling More on Sunday. Picture by Kundan Yolmo]

After a gap of a fortnight, the Morcha allowed the offices to function on Friday. They will remain open tomorrow as well since today being Sunday was a holiday.

“Keeping the interest of public in mind, we have allowed offices dealing with most essential matters like issuance of birth and death certificates and disbursement of old-age pension to open on alternate days,” said Norden Lama, a core committee member of the Morcha and commissioner of Ward 7.

Five before panel

Siliguri, April 20: Five persons appeared today for a hearing before the one-man commission probing the lathicharge on a rally brought out by ex-servicemen from the Darjeeling hills in Siliguri on April 9.

M.L. Meena, the principal secretary of the environment department, heard the witnesses at the circuit house here.

More ex-servicemen, leaders and members of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha will attend the hearing tomorrow. The former jawans are members of an organisation affiliated to the Morcha.

The date will be extended to Tuesday if the bandh called by the Trinamul Congress prevents them from attending the hearing, a senior district official said.

“I told the commission what I saw at Darjeeling More on April 9. I have also explained that police did not play their role in an appropriate manner,” said Mams Tamang, a retired inspector of the Central Reserve Police Force and a resident of Kurseong.

‘Deliverance’ lolly for tribals too – Asok, Morcha trade charges

Siliguri, April 20: Bengal minister Asok Bhattacharya has accused the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha of working against the interest of its own people by shutting down government offices in the hills.

Bhattacharya said the Morcha should open a dialogue with the state government and the Centre, but did not hold out any specific invitation. “By shutting down government offices, they are working against the interest of their own people. They are also harassing people owing allegiance to other parties, like the CPM and the GNLF. All this despite the fact that they have got all that they demanded.” [Inset: Asok bhattacharya]

The Morcha’s strike has been on since Monday. Only post offices, banks, tourist facilities and offices of the Food Corporation of India have been kept outside its purview. The strike was called to push for a charter of demands following police action on a rally organised by Morcha-affiliated ex-servicemen in Darjeeling More near Siliguri on April 9.

Gurung kitty has a little for all- Dooars meet draws crowd of 25000

Siliguri, April 20: In his first ever public appearance in the Dooars, Bimal Gurung, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha chief, today held out a promise of deliverance to the “oppressed minorities” of the region.

He also dared the CPM to create a Nandigram-like situation, but said his party would not budge from its democratic form of struggle.

“Many adivasis and Nepalese work in the gardens of the Dooars. They are leading miserable lives because of the pathetic condition of the tea industry here, which is again a result of sustained neglect of the minorities by the state government. But in the new state of Gorkhaland, all these people will get a better deal, besides freedom from an oppressive government,” he said. [Inset: Gurung addresses the crowd at Bagrakote on Sunday. Picture by Kundan Yolmo]

Gurung said the Morcha would intensify its campaigns in the Dooars. “Our journey has begun here,” he said. “It will end only at Sunkosh (the river Sankosh on the Assam border),” he added. The Morcha wants the Dooars up to the Sankosh and the Terai areas of Siliguri, along with the Darjeeling hills, to be made a part of Gorkhaland that it is demanding.

Having struck a chord with the 25,000 odd people who had gathered at Bhanu Maidan in Bagrakote, 30 km from here, Gurung used the opportunity to come down heavily on the government, police and, more specifically, Asok Bhattacharya, the CPM MLA from Siliguri and the state urban development minister.