Darjeeling MLAs stage walkout over Gorkhaland issue

FROM PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Kolkata, July 2, 2008 04:39:00 PM (PTI) The Gorkhaland issue echoed in the West Bengal Assembly today with two unattached members from the Darjeeling hills staging a walkout after deputy Speaker Bhakatipada Ghosh cut short their speeches.

Former GNLF member Pranay Rai, being treated by the Speaker as unattached members since they joined the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha, had begun to speak during Zero hour demanding a separate Gorkhaland state when he was cut short by Ghosh.

The Deputy Speaker pointed out that Rai could not be allowed to go on as the one minute allotted to him was over.

Dissatisfied with Ghosh’s ruling, Rai and another unattached member Goulang Lepcha, carrying placards, staged a noisy walkout.

Later, Rai and Lepcha told newsmen that the walkout was the first step in the campaign on the Gorkhaland issue within the House and their next step would be to move a Calling Attention motion.

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Hill dilemma

FROM THE STATESMAN

The Gorkhaland agitators will first have to give up their claims to Siliguri and the Dooars if negotiations are to get anywhere, says Bappaditya Paul

The trouble over the revived demand for a separate Gorkhaland state in the Darjeeling hills of West Bengal has now well and truly spilled into the plains of Siliguri and the Dooars. This is the first time that the century-old demand for a sub-regional identity by the Gorkhas, which had attained a climax in the 1980s through a bloodstained movement, has started singeing the plains, Siliguri in particular.

At the root of this is the inclusion of Bengali-dominated Siliguri and the Dooars region in the state demanded by the Gorkhas. The Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM) ~ the new party pushing the Gorkhaland demand ~ has been persistently campaigning to this effect since it surfaced in the hills last October. In fact, after being successful in stalling the proposed inclusion of the Darjeeling hills in the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, the GJMM has been using the claim for Siliguri and the Dooars as a stimulus for its activists. To GJMM activists the demand for a separate Gorkhaland state comprising the three hill sub-divisions of Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong is hardly anything new and they need something fresh to drive themselves.

Thus, extending the territorial claim to Siliguri and the Dooars, the GJMM resorted to an extensive campaign for the past eight months. There have been several occasions during this period when GJMM activists, the Gorkha ex-servicemen and other factions, have come down to Siliguri from the Darjeeling hills and campaigned for statehood. After much bargaining with the state administration, the GJMM was also successful in holding a huge public meeting in Siliguri on 7 May, with over a lakh supporters descending from the hills. Places like Bagrakote, Oodlabri, Birpara, Nagrakata, Kalchini in the Dooars too have witnessed similar GJMM meetings.

Such persistent campaigns, be it in Siliguri or the Dooars, is testing the patience of local people. As a result, the GJMM faced the first public outburst in Siliguri at Bagdogra on 8 June, when its activists descended from the hills and blocked an arterial road junction on a busy market day. But instead of taking the hint, the GJMM first called a 24-hour bandh in the Darjeeling hills against the incident and then whimsically extended the shutdown to an indefinite one. What’s more, the GJMM declared it would enforce the shutdown in Siliguri and the Dooars. As a result, public anger spread to other parts of Siliguri and the Dooars overnight. The confrontation is now fast taking the shape of an ethnic feud between Bengalis and the Gorkhas and all the leading political parties, including the CPI-M, are losing their grip on the situation. The recent 32-hour bandh in Siliguri called by the Amra Bangali and the violence in parts of Siliguri and the Dooars was clear testimony to that. Significantly, during the bandh called against the Gorkhaland agitators, hundreds of volunteers came out on the streets in support of the shutdown called by the Amra Bangali ~ which has hardly got any mass base in Siliguri or the rest of West Bengal.

Kalimpong Municipal Authorities strict enforcing the anti-plastic regime

Photo by Himalaya Darpan

Dr. Graham’s Homes Boys participating in Hunger Strike in Kalimpong

Photo by Himalaya Darpan

Colonel Ramesh Allay briefing on Gorkhaland Personnel at Kalimpong

Photo by Bishal

Thurbo High School boys at Hunger Strike in Mirik

Photo by Himalaya Darpan

“Fire Brigade Station in Mirik a distinct possiblity” District Administration

Representatives of the District Administration discuss  the establishment of Fire Brigade Station at Mirik. Photo by Himalaya Darpan

Boys being recruited into Gorkhaland Personnel

Photo by Himalaya Darpan

St. Micheal’s and Nepali Girls High School participate in hunger strike at Darjeeling

Entrance to Old Super Market Darjeeling

Photo by Himalaya Darpan

GL Plates on the Roll

A Youth busy making GL plates for vehicles in the Hills. Photo by Rabin Rai [Himalaya Darpan]

Danny is back!

FROM SIKKIM REPORTER

“I would rather go to the mountain and sit in a cave than saddle myself with stupid films,” says the actor, justifying his absence. But now the actor will be seen in not one, but three films — Sanjay Gupta’s Acid Factory, Sunny Deol’s The Man and Soham Shah’s Luck —and he’s already giving the youngsters a run for their money. Recently when he walked the ramp, during an awards function along with his co-stars Fardeen Khan, Dino Morea and Aftab Shivdasani, he got the loudest round of applause. “I used to get modelling offers in my hey days, but I didn’t pursue it, as my goal was to get into films,” says Danny. “Working with young actors is a learning experience. Just by interacting with them, exchanging tips on life, fitness, their perspective on acting, fashion, you get to know so much! It’s fun to be with them,” says the veteran. [Inset: Danny Denzongpa.]

Danny who spent three decades in the industry, recalls the days when he left his secured home in Sikkim to join the film institute in Pune. “When I came in, things were so different. Hindi cinema wasn’t open to the kind of looks I have, and my language was a barrier,” he says candidly. But that didn’t deter him, he got over his shortcomings and stepped into the industry to make headlines, years ago. “But the call was tough. Fortunately now, cinema is going through a wonderful transition.

GFPF adds more to its product varieties

FROM SIKKIM REPORTER

BY SHIVADEEP RAI

Gangtok: Government Fruit Preservation Factory (GFPF), a Govt. of Sikkim enterprise, in its 25th edition of new organic products on June 30 launched Pears Juice and Ginger Juice (ready to serve juices), Kinema Dallae Pickle and Gundruk/Sinki Pickle with Dallae marinated in oil and Dry Kinema. The products will be available in the market from July 1 (Tuesday) with GFPF’s brand name ‘Sikkim Supreme’.

Pears and Ginger Juice will be marketed in 2ltrs and 200ml bottles priced at Rs 125 and 200ml and Rs 12 respectively. 400gm Kinema Dallae Pickle would be available in the market at Rs 85 and 400gm Gundruk/Sinki Pickle can be obtained at Rs 95. Dry Kinema would be available at Rs 25 for 100gm. Passion Fruit, Orange and Pineapple RTS (Ready to Serve) juice are the other products of the factory currently in the pipeline.

A new Vacuum Filling Machine has been installed in the factory to provide the best product, especially the juice to the people. Market feedback that smell of Dallae chili comes from the juice, has been considered. “Now, there will be no problem regarding the smell”, said GFPF Managing Director, Ms. Nima L. Yethenpa. She asserted, “All the products are 100% natural, prepared from organically grown fruits of Sikkim and processed in an eco-friendly environment”.

Bhandari backs Gorkhaland demand

GANGTOK, June 30: The president of Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC), Nar Bahadur Bhandari has said that the demand for the creation of Gorkhaland is a constitutional and democratic demand of the people of Darjeeling and its territorial neighborhood. [Inset: Nar Bahadur Bhandari]

Mr. Bhandari, who is also the former Chief Minister of Sikkim said that a separate State will also accelerate the process of growth and development, both economically, socially and politically and will fulfill the aspiration of the people of the region.

“The democratic movement of the people need not be suppressed by force or other dubious means as that may cause more turmoil and chaos in the region. It must be borne in mind that the new states of Chattisgarh, Uttaranchal and Jharkhand have made remarkable growth only after their having been carved out from the states they were a part of,” he said in a press release.

While stating that the Constitution of India in its Article 3, Clause (a), and Clause (c) provides access to the formation of new states and alteration of areas, boundaries or names of existing states, Mr Bhandari informs that the Parliament may by law form a new state by separation of territory from any State or by uniting two or more States or parts of States or by uniting any territory to any State or diminish the area of any State.

State Govt endorses Burman Committee report, says it has given justice to all

FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS

GANGTOK, June 30: Even as speculation is rife over the CRESP report, the State Government has said that the Burman Committee Report tabled at the last session of the Legislative Assembly held on June 9 and 10, 2008 has given justice to the people of Sikkim. An IPR press release informs that the Commission after a detailed study submitted its executive report on March 31, 2008 recommending amongst other things that the entire Sikkimese Bhutia, Sikkimese Lepcha and Sikkimese Nepalese communities be included in the list of Scheduled Tribe and that appropriate number of seats, out of the proposed strength of 40, be reserved for them in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly with Bhutia and Lepcha continuing to have the benefit of 12 reserved seats unencumbered by the entitlement to the reserved seats for the new STs.

The CRESP has recommended 12 seats for BLs, 2 for SCs, 2 for Sanghas, 20 for STs and 4 General.

The State Government had constituted a Commission under the chairmanship of Prof. BK Roy Burman, an eminent social Scientist to review the policies, plan and programmes in respect of SCs, STs, OBCs and other socially and economically backward community and recommend measures. While welcoming the response of various political parties and groups on the subject, the release said that grant of ST status and reservation of seats in the SLA for the Sikkimese Nepalese has been a long standing demand of various communities in the State since last few decades and the same had been placed before the Central Government from time to time.

Monsoon leash on the Highway

FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS

RANGPO, June 30: Traffic on the National Highway 31-A remained suspended for over three hours today following landslides triggered by incessant rains. The highway was closed from 8am to 11am after a landslide at 29 Mile, between Teesta and Rambhi. The lifeline to Sikkim, was restored in the afternoon after the Border Roads Organisation, which maintains the road, pressed its men and machines to clear the landslide. However, unabated rains continued to hamper the road-clearance operation.

FB slams state govt for poor development in N Bengal

FROM THE STATESMAN

SILIGURI, July 1: The Forward Bloc state secretary Mr Asoke Ghosh today slammed the state government for lack of development in north Bengal and warned that the discontentment among the people might precipitate serious political crisis all through the neglected region.  “The state government should understand that the principal reason behind the ongoing agitation in the Darjeeling hills is lack of development and the force of public dissatisfaction that may spread to other areas of the region too if the people’s aspiration remain un-addressed. It would be difficult for the state government to contain the mass discontent,” the FB leader said.

“The moribund North Bengal Development Council is a prime example of deprivation towards north Bengal. It was formed to facilitate swift development of north Bengal. But now it is lagging for lack of required fund. Our party has been trying to draw the state government’s attention to the plight of the agency through various political means, but the state government’s reluctance to address the issue is a cause of worry,” the FB leader remarked.

Emphasising upon the need to immediately revive the NBDC Mr Ghosh said that it was a paramount political necessity to uplift the region on a priority basis to arrest the growing divisive tendencies in some parts of the region. “The contrast in development between south Bengal and north Bengal is too glaring to be missed and this may turn ominous in the time to come,” he commented.

Teacher expelled for anti-Gorkhaland lecture

FROM THE STATESMAN

KURSEONG, July 1: Mr. Ravin Tamang, a Geography teacher of Panchavati High School at Shelphu Busty under Kurseong sub-division was expelled by the school managing committee yesterday for allegedly delivering a lecture against ‘Gorkhaland and the GJMM chief Mr Bimal Gurung.

GJMM supporters and residents of Shelphu Busty gheraoed the school for around four hours and pressed the managing committee to expel the accused teacher.  The Panchavati High Scool, managing committee, president, Mr Amber Chettri said that during investigation, the students told us that the teacher spoke against Gorkhaland, GJMM and Mr Bimal Gurung following which, we have passed a resolution to expel the teacher and the resolution copy has been sent to the concerned authorities.

The GJMM, Sittong-Shelphu area convenor, Mr Ratan Thapa alleged that on 25 June, the teacher delivered a lecture, for one whole period against Gorkhaland and Mr Bimal Gurung to the students of class XI.
Explaining his position, Mr Tamang said: “I definitely delivered a lecture on Gorkhaland but not against it. Infact, the speech was in favour of Gorkhaland. He also lamented that he was not given the chance to clarify his position. Mr Tamang had been working in the school since 2000 and received a monthly salary of Rs 5000. He is the only working member in a family of eight.

CPRM to attend seminar at Jadavpur University

FROM THE STATESMAN

DARJEELING, July 1: A four-member CPRM team would attend a seminar convened by the All India Students’ Association at Jadavpur University, Kolkata on 9 July. The party general secretary Mr RB Rai and members Mr Gobind Chettri, Mr Kishore Pradhan and Mr Arun Ghatany comprise the CPRM team that would attend the seminar.

“It is a seminar of the intellectuals to be attended by 13 Left parties excluding the CPI-M. Leaders of the RSP, Forward Bloc and CPI-ML are among those who would attend and discuss the current political situation of the Darjeeling hills. The separate state of Gorkhaland will be the prime issue of discussion,” informed party spokesperson Mr DS Bomzon.  The youth and the women’s wing of the CPRM, which has been lobbying for Gorkhaland among the Left in West Bengal, recently staged a dharna at Writers’. “This is the immediate outcome of the dharnas and rallies organised by our women and youth in Kolkata.

It is a positive sign as 17 Bengali organisations participated with us in the rally,” Mr Bomzon stated. In addition, the CPI-ML also staged a dharna for Gorkhaland in New Delhi, he added.

Four Sikkimese die in Nepal road mishap

FROM THE TELEGRAPH

Gangtok, July 1: Four persons from North Sikkim were killed and five injured when a jeep carrying them to a wedding met with an accident on a highway in Nepal last night.

The jeep (registration number SK 04-8462) crashed into the back of a truck carrying bamboo. The occupants were slammed against the pointed ends of the bamboo stems, which pierced their bodies.

There were nine persons, including two drivers, in the vehicle.

The accident took place on the Belbari-Dangighat section of Mahendra Highway in Nepal’s Biratnagar around 11pm.

The groom, Md Sahid, a resident of Mangan in North Sikkim, has hired the vehicle from Lingza in Dzongu for his marriage to a girl in Dharan.

The jeep was the last in a five-vehicle convoy taking the groom and his relatives to the wedding. The other vehicles had already reached the venue at Dharan, around 40km from the accident spot, and the marriage was reportedly over.

Family-members identified the dead as Ashoke Prasad (40), Pramod Saha (40), Islam Master (61) and a 14-year-old boy Mohammad Ismil. All of them were from Mangan.

SDO gets charge of civic body

FROM THE TELEGRAPH

Kalimpong, July 1: The subdivisional officer of Kalimpong, P.T. Sherpa, took over as the drawing and disbursing officer of the town’s municipality today in a development that effectively renders civic chairman C.K. Kumai powerless.

In a letter addressed to Darjeeling district magistrate Rajesh Pandey, the deputy secretary of the municipality affairs department, B.C. Ghorui, said the SDO would take over the dual charge for “drawing and disbursing the arrears, if any, and current salaries payable to the employees of Kalimpong Municipality”.

The SDO has also been authorised to incur expenditure from the municipal fund for the purpose of running the day-to-day activities of the municipality.

Observers said the decision was forced on the government because of the continuing impasse in the municipality ever since the GNLF board was reduced to a minority following the defection of the majority of its councillors to the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha. This happened weeks after Kumai defeated a no-trust motion tabled against his board on January 24. A fresh floor test could not take place immediately because the municipality rules stipulate that another no-confidence motion can be tabled only after six months from the last one.

Jumbos on rampage again

FROM THE TELEGRAPH

Jaigaon, July 1: The marauding herd of elephants that had destroyed three houses and flung a boy 12ft in the air on Sunday destroyed two more houses in the Carron tea estate today.

The regular forays into the garden by the herd comprising over 30 elephants, including two tuskers, has made life miserable for both the management of the tea estate and the workers.

Today, the garden unit of the Intuc-affiliated National Union of Plantation Workers gheraoed the Diana forest range office for an hour from 2pm. “The forest department has no provision to compensate us as we are not on their land. But we have been brought under the panchayat system in 1998. Our garden was closed from 2000 to 2004 and we have many problems. Now the elephant menace has added salt to our wounds,” said unit secretary Shankar Baraik.

On Sunday, Rajkumar Asur was flung in the air by an elephant around 11pm. The 10-year-old survived with minor injuries because he fell on a heap of sand.

Hemanti Santhal, whose house was damaged last night, said they were sleeping when the elephants raided the adjacent cornfield. “Suddenly, one of the walls came crashing down and I, my 10-year-old son and husband hid under the bed. To our horror, we saw a elephant calf enter, eat the rice, pulses and vegetables we had bought yesterday, smash a table with its trunk and walk out,” she said.

Seminars discuss health problems – camps mark doctors’ day

FROM THE TELEGRAPH

A free medical camp organised by the IMA in Siliguri on Tuesday. Picture by Kundan Yolmo

Siliguri, July 1: Every third person suffers from irritable bowel syndrome, which leads to one or a combination of problems like indigestion, constipation, flatulence and discomfort, and intermittent loose motion.

This fact was highlighted at a seminar organised by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Siliguri branch, on the occasion of Doctors’ Day today. Irregular and improper food habits were one of the main reasons for this problem, experts told the participants.

Eating more fibre-based food was a way to prevent its occurrence, said Pijush Ray, president of the branch, while summing up what was said. Upper gastro-intestinal bleeding, or ulcers, was discussed at the seminar.

“The disease is less acute nowadays with the development and availability of new medicine,” Ray said.

Doctors’ Day, which is held to mark the birth anniversary of the late Bidhan Chandra Roy, former Bengal chief minister and eminent physician, was also observed at the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital.

Civic health scheme for poor

FROM THE TELEGRAPH

Siliguri, July 1: The Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) will launch a health insurance scheme for 29,000 BPL families living in the civic area. Two thousand residents of the category will benefit in the first phase.

“The insurance will be of Rs 30,000 for which the SMC will pay a yearly premium of Rs 148 and the beneficiary Rs 100,” mayor Bikash Ghosh said. Ghosh also announced free vocational training and a monthly stipend for former sportspersons and artistes from poor families — all to be financed by the SMC.

“We have spoken to authorities of Industrial Training Institute and Siliguri Polytechnic to train the students who have passed Class X examinations,” the mayor said. The training will be on plumbing, carpentry, electrical and television repairing.

On paying stipend, Ghosh said: “We have decided to give Rs 400 to Rs 100 to former sportspersons and artists who are facing hardship now. The beneficiary will be shortlisted by councillors and committee members of different wards.”

The SMC has asked its councillors to spend Rs 75,000 annually on poor students and sportspersons out of Rs 3 lakh they are getting for the development of the area.