DARJEELING HILLS: Gorkhaland stir is not anti-national

FROM MERI NEWS

BY SWIKAR LAMA

Gorkha language and culture is as different from that of Bengalis as wine and water. I would like to ask: Would people of Bihar like to be under the governance of Orissa or Bengal? I believe smaller states facilitate development.

MANY PEOPLE think that the Gorkhaland movement is anti-national. First of all asking for a separate state is not anti-national. It is a right mentioned in the Constitution. Gorkhas in India have been termed as ‘foreigners’ even though we have been staying here decades before Independence, when the state of India did not exist. Everyone in India considers us to be citizens of Nepal.

Our language and culture is as different from that of Bengalis as wine and water. I would like to ask: Would people of Bihar like to be under the governance of Orissa or Bengal? Moreover, Gorkhaland is just not about regional identity. It is about the lack of development and the stepmotherly treatment meted out by the West Bengal Government. There are no universities, no professional colleges and industries in the areas where Gorkhas are in majority in West Bengal.

The government is only interested in earning revenue from the tea and tourism industry in this region. Eighty percent of the people of our generation have been forced to go to other places for higher education and jobs. There are no basic amenities like good roads and sufficient water in the Darjeeling hill areas. I believe smaller states facilitate development.

DARJEELING HILLS: “I did not run away from Darjeeling. I left Darjeeling to attend to some personal work somewhere else” Madan Tamang

THE HIMALAYAN BEACON [BEACON ONLINE] EXCLUSIVE

BY BARUN ROY

Madan Tamang, President, All India Gorkha League

DARJEELING: Himalaya Darpan, a major vernacular daily has reported Madan Tamang having left Darjeeling on a personal work. Based on a telephonic conversation, with All India Gorkha League President who is in Delhi, the vernacular paper quoted Tamang as having said, “I had gone to Kolkata to attend a hearing at Kolkata High Court. When I reached Delhi, I was flabbergasted at reading the news that I had run away from Darjeeling. I have hence thought it well to instead call up and condemn the publication of this kind of news. I have personal freedom. I can go anywhere without informing anyone. There is no need to inform everyone about personal things. If it involves any thing political I am more than willing to say it. These type of news will lead to the installation of fear and pessimism among the populace. I will return back to Darjeeling in a few day.”

The All India Gorkha League Central Committee Secretary Mohan Sharma has also condemned the publication of the news reporting the ‘alleged’ flight of Madan Tamang from Darjeeling. The confirmation of Madan Tamang’s departure from Darjeeling by Darjeeling Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mohan Chettri as reported in the vernacular daily was also questioned. Sharma countering Chettri’s statement said, “Is the DSP deployed as an officer or a spokesperson?” He further questioned the DSP’s statment saying, “In what capacity did he say that? The Police should investigate this issue.”

It might be noted that news of Madan Tamang’s ‘alleged’ run from Darjeeling was published online and on printed issues of some publications. Beacon Online had also published analysis of ‘what could be expected of after the ‘alleged’ run of the ABGL leader from Darjeeling’ based on reports published in the major Nepali/Gorkha daily Himalaya Darpan.  The ABGL it is believed will be formerly issue a complaint to the Press Council today. 

DARJEELING HILLS: “A State without democracy would be of no use” R B Rai

THE HIMALAYAN BEACON [BEACON ONLINE] EXCLUSIVE

BY BARUN ROY WITH INPUTS BY SONAM TSHERING FROM KURSEONG

"A State without Democracy is of useless" Ratna Bahadur Rai, General Secretary, Communist Party of Revolution Marxist. Photo by Barun Roy

DARJEELING | KURSEONG: “Democracy is an important factor in the proper functioning of a society. A state without democracy would be of no use. The Gorkhaland issue is a national issue and must be addressed at New Delhi. No amount of political agitation and Darjeeling Hills and Dooars Terai will help us gain separate statehood. On Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh is adept had handling the issue of Gorkhaland at the national level,” said Ratna Bahadur Rai, the General Secretary of Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxist (CPRM) speaking at the Party’s fourth Regional Conference at Kurseong. The conference was attended by Radhika Sinha, Kishore Giri, Bikram Rai, Haschiv Rai among others. 

Addressing the conference Haschiv Rai said, “Fighting between ourselves, indulging in allegations and counter-allegations is comical. We will have to learn to solve our problems among ourselves. We will all have to fight for Gorkhaland by first coming together giving up our egos and personal pride. 

The conference organised at Gorkha People’s Library was further addressed by I. K. Sharma, R. P. Pakhrin, CPRM Central Committee member B. S. Subba, Trade Union Central Committee member R. K. Rai. Six resolutions declaring – Gorkhaland as a birthright, the immediate release of Chhatray Subba in connection with the attack of Subash Ghisingh, the reinstatement of three-tier Panchayati System, the immediate offer of permanent job to temporary workers of Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council among others were also unanimously passed at the Conference.

DARJEELING HILLS: “We will imply technicalities to achieve Gorkhaland if the Tripatite Meeting fails” Bimal Gurung

THE HIMALAYAN BEACON [BEACON ONLINE] EXCLUSIVE

BY BARUN ROY

"If anyone close to me betrays the cause of Gorkhaland. I will shoot myself and die," saying Bimal Gurung

DARJEELING / SONADA: “On the occasion of the birthday of his holiness Bhagwan Satya Sai Baba I will have to speak the truth about Gorkhaland here at Margaret’s Hope Ground. At this very place, 6 people had laid their life in 1955 for the betterment of the workers and our people as a whole. We have since been fighting. Even after the 61 years of the nation’s independence nothing has been good for the people and tea workers in general here. Instead the West Bengal Government achieved political mileage from the 6 marytrs of this land. But I have not come to gain any political mileage in the name of the marytrs. The leaders should not gain from the struggle of the workers. I have not been very keen to create a monument for the 6 martyrs since it might be seen as a political stunt. Instead, I have come here to offer financial help of Rs. 10,000 each to the family of the fallen heroes,” said Gorkha Janmukti Morcha President, Bimal Gurung addressing a massive populace gathered at the Margaret’s Hope Ground at Margaret’s Hope Tea Estate, Sonada. 

Referring to the ongoing agitational programmes initiated by Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, Gurung said, “Compared to other political parties, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha is an infant. However, this infant has been able to achieve a great deal. This party now has only 16 more years to go. Since within this 16 months our objectives will be achieved. This infant has been able to bring down the tyranical regime of Subash Ghisingh who even dictated how we lived and whom and who we worshipped. In 101 years of the demand of Gorkhaland, there have been many leaders whose greatness have only remained in their speeches but whose words never trickled down to reality. Now both the leaders and the people must work in the path of the truth. Leaders with 30 to 40 years of political experience indulged in of grassroot level hypocrisy. They never thought about the future of our youths and our children. But Gorkha Janmukti Morcha has worked fearing the wrath of the Mahakala and the people have trusted me. I will give Gorkhaland to the people. I warn leaders and people from other parties not speak against Gorkhaland and Gorkha Janmukti Morcha. It is the destiny of every child in this land to live in Gorkhaland. I cannot accept anybody trying to destroy that dream of ours. Madan Tamang was forced to run away from Darjeeling Hills. Subash Ghisingh and the West Bengal Government are hand in gloves and Madan Tamang is no different from Subash Ghisingh. That is why the West Bengal Government was so eager to protect Madan Tamang. Madan Tamang had put in everything he had to destroy our Gorkhaland Movement. The 80s movement was a leader’s movement, today’s movement is that of the people. I have asked the people to wake up but I do not want the people to be too zealous as well. I also warn everyone associated with the party. Do not think of yourself as first or last or leader or cadre. Remember you are all only monitors. Take care of things at the village and neighbourhood levels and don’t disturb me. If any of you start talking about the new or the old, I will have you thrown out. In the 80s the movement was run in a wrong way. We were given Khukuris and guns. We will not do that again. We will instead educate our youths and children and use the power of the pen. I hope that the second Tripartite Meeting goes well. If it fails we will fight for Gorkhaland using technicalities. Of the 16 months left of the Gorkhaland Movement 10 will be fought by the women’s wing. We are requesting the Government however, if it does not work we will snatch away our Gorkhaland from Bengal. I will never lie about Gorkhaland. If anyone betrays I will shoot myself and die. We can all survive anyhow but we should never sell ourselves. No body did any thing for us. The so called intellectual leaders were of no use. Now this very Bimal Gurung will make a difference. We will have to fight for Gorkhaland sincerely. The cry for Gorkhaland must come from deep inside our heart.”

DARJEELING HILLS: Majestic Mountains and Hills as seen from Kalimpong

Majestic Mountains and Hills as seen from Kalimpong. Photo by Himalaya Darpan

DARJEELING HILLS: Students continue on relay hunger strike

 

Students on a relay hunger strike at Kalimpong. Photo by Himalaya Darpan

DARJEELING HILLS: Cultural Programme at Margaret’s Hope Tea Garden

A cultural programme organized at Margarets Hope Tea Estate on the occasion of a Gorkha Janmukti Morcha Political Meeting. Photo by Himalaya Darpan

Photo Feature: Road accident kills 7

A vehicle that fell more than 1000 feet in to Rangsang River killing 7 people including 6 students. Photo by Himalaya Darpan

NORTH EAST INDIA: AR recovers explosives in Naginimora

FROM MORUNG EXPRESS

37 AR personnel on a patrol with sniffer dogs in action, in this image to released to the media. The intensive search operation on November 23 led to recovery of explosives in Naginimora (Darjeeling Basti).

Dimapur, November 23 (MExN): Naginimora in Mon district of Nagaland has come under the scanner with reports of explosives recovered from a house in the area of Darjeeling Basti. Informing this, Maj. Pallab Choudhury PRO, IGAR (N) in a press note disclosed that on the basis of a successful operation in Bihupar Village (Assam) on November 16 by 37 AR, where explosives were recovered, AR had stepped up vigil in the entire area and round the clock surveillance was being maintained on all identified sensitive areas. Subsequent to Operations in Bihupar village the owner of the house Sirajuddin Talukdar was arrested and on interrogation revealed that he owned a house in Darjeeling Basti (Nagnimora), Nagaland.

“Relentless discreet surveillance in vicinity of the house and activation of sources by 37 AR yielded reliable info of explosives being hidden near the house”, the press note stated while also informing that on November 23 a patrol of 37 AR in conjunction with Nagaland Police led by Maj. K.K Charan launched an intensive search Operation in Darjeeling Basti (near Panbari) 2 Km south of Nagnimora town and premises of the individual was searched. Snifter Dog was put into action which finally traced the explosives near Dikhu River (flowing close behind the house) which was carefully concealed along the grain of the ground to avoid detection. 17 electrical detonators, 100 feet safety fuse and 9 packets (each 125 gms) of explosives (NEOGEL) was recovered from the site, the press note informed.

NEPAL: Chinese envoy is replaced over Tibet protests

FROM GULF TIMES

KATHMANDU: China has replaced its envoy to Nepal, Zheng Xianglin, apparently over his failure to effectively block anti-China protests here that lasted almost five months ahead of the Olympics.

Zheng, who assumed office in April 2007, returned home early this month.

This followed dozens of demonstrations in front of the Chinese embassy in Kathmandu that drew global attention to Tibetans’ claim of repression in Tibet and the demand for the release of political prisoners.

Though Zheng had urged the Nepal government to take strong punitive measures against the Tibetan demonstrators so that they would be deterred from rejoining the public protests, the government did not comply, partly due to counter-pressure from the US that warned Nepal that it had taken serious note of the use of force on unarmed protesters.

Zheng also failed to persuade the then Girija Prasad Koirala government of Nepal to regulate the 1,800km open border between Nepal and its southern neighbour India so that the arrival of Tibetans from India to take part in the anti-China protests could be stopped.

Though China, in an unprecedented manoeuvre, succeeded in blocking expeditions to Mt Everest to prevent climbers from planting the Tibetan flag atop the world’s highest mountain, the stratagem received negative publicity in Nepal’s press.

Having completed only half of his three-year tenure, Zheng has been replaced by Qiu Guohong, a former deputy director-general at the Asia department of the Chinese foreign affairs ministry.

NEPAL: THE GIRLS WHO ARE FIGHTING TO BE GURKHAS

FROM DAILY EXPRESS

By Marco Giannagell

GIRL POWER: Lina Thapa (left) at the gateway to her training camp PIC: Bhusan Dahal

FOR 18 months, Lina Thapa has led a double life. Before and after school, the 19-year-old makes her way across Kathmandu to Bull’s indoor sports hall, the region’s best private training site for would-be members of the British Army.

Her mission is to become the first woman to join the Gurkhas, one of the toughest regiments in the world. Her message to critics, who claim allowing women in would “weaken” the brigade, is: “I am as strong, intelligent and resourceful as the men. Finally, here in Nepal, the time for women to be equal has come.”

The decision last year by junior defence minister Derek Twigg to allow women to join on gender equality grounds sent shockwaves through the top brass.

Gurkhas have fought for Britain for more than 200 years. During the Second World War, the regiment had 43,000 casualties and won 26 Victoria Crosses, more than any other.

FIGHT: The girls are training to be Ghurkas

If the Government ratifies its decision, women will next year be invited to apply for the Queen’s Gurkha Engineers, Gurkha Signals and Gurkha Logistic Regiment – but not the Royal Gurkha Rifles.

“The end result will be a less flexible brigade of Gurkhas and a less capable British Army,” claimed Conservative MP Patrick Mercer last month.

Others fear applications will flood in from former Maoist guerrillas, whose 10-year civil war ended with the fall of the country’s 200-year-old monarchy in May.

But for many Nepalese women, it is the long sought-after chance to be part of a proud tradition.

Lina’s daily workout unites her with other women eager to seize a chance which appeared in Nepalese newspapers last year.

Now living in Kathmandu, her life is a far cry from her family’s village existence six hours north at the feet of the Himalayas.

DOOARS TERAI: DYFI supporters to resist ‘Gorkhaland’ demand

FROM THE STATESMAN

SILIGURI, Nov.23: With an imminent threat of expulsion haunting, a number of DYFI activists hailing from three sub divisions of the Darjeeling hills have not minced words in denouncing the Gorkhaland demand. “We are invincibly convinced that a separate state carved out of West Bengal would not prove to be a panacea for the Hills. The real issue of development is being relegated to the background by a certain organisation only to reap political harvest out of the growing grievances of the common people,” said Mr Shyam Pradhan, Mr Mahesh Chetri, Mr Ramesh Sharma and Mr Keshar Pradhan, all activists of the CPI-M ‘s youth wing.

They came to Siliguri to attend the two-day Darjeeling district conference of the organisation, which has ended today.

Earlier, addressing the open session of the conference on a school ground in Siliguri yesterday, the state urban development minister and a senior CPI-M leader Mr Asok Bhattacharya said that the youth of the district especially from the Hills should come out in increasing number against the narrow politics being practised by the GJMM in the name of a separate state. “The separate state demand is unacceptable in the first place. Besides, the common people must understand that the demand is a bogey intentionally nurtured to capture power,” he said. Taking a cue from the minister’s assertion the hill based youth leaders said that the people would see through the narrow game being played in the name of ethnic identity. “Gorkhaland, even if it becomes a reality at any point of time, would definitely prove to be an illusion in terms of development expectation of the people. The real issue of the socio-economic and educational development of the Hills is being deliberately blurred in the sharpening ethnic pitch of separatist campaigning. We would resist the demand, come what may,” said Mr Shyam Pradha, the Darjeeling district DYFI president.

Endorsing the view, Mr Mahesh Chettri, Mr Ramesh Sharma and others said that around 70 delegates had come to Siliguri only to oppose the narrow, ethno based politics being practised in the hills.

NEPAL: Koirala urges Maoists ‘democracy’

FROM SOUTH ASIAN MEDIA NET

KATHMANDU: The Nepali Congress organised a regional mass meeting here today under its National Awareness Campaign for promotion of peace and democracy and writing new Constitution.

Addressing the mass meeting, president of the Nepali Congress and former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala said the responsibility for announcing the beginning of a new revolution has fallen on the shoulders of the Nepali Congress for protecting the democracy.

“The Nepali Congress has played the role of a ‘bridge’ in tying the people from the mountainous region to the Tarai region into the cord of national unity,” he said.

He said he is not convinced that the CPN-Maoist which is leading the government will not draw up the new Constitution.

The Nepali Congress president reiterated that the CPN-Maoist should learn to practice democracy.

Alleging that the Maoist party is still continuing the politics of murder, violence and intimidation, he said, “The Maoist will soon vanish if it does not correct itself in time.”

Koirala said the Nepali Congress will create new history by drafting new Constitution. He called on the workers of the Nepali Congress, a party born out of revolution, not to forget the party’s history.

He said the Maoist combatants would not be allowed to be integrated in the national army if the Maoist party did not come in the mainstream of democracy.

Acting president of the Nepali Congress Sushil Koirala said the objectives of the People’s Movement-2 would be fulfilled only with the establishment of lasting peace, democracy and drafting of the new Constitution.

Accusing the CPN-Maoist of breaching the agreements and understandings from time to time, he said the Nepali Congress will no more reach any agreement with this party.

At the awareness mass meet chaired by Nepali Congress Banke District chapter president Krishnaman Shrestha, member duo of the party’s central committee Gyanendra Karki and Ananda Prasad Dhungana, Constituent Assembly members Ganesh Khadka, Bimala Nepali, Badsah Kurmi, Mohammadi Siddiqui and Gagan Thapa, central president of Nepal Students Union (NSU) Pradip Poudel and others also expressed their views.

BENGAL: Buddhism to boost tourism!

FROM THE TELEGRAPH

SILIGURI, Nov. 23: Dr Ravindra Panth, the Vice-Chancellor of Nava Nalanda Mahavihara (Nalanda Deemed University) said that the hoary heritage associated with Buddhism must be preserved and the Northeast India, being the melting pot for several cultures, must play its role to disseminate the spiritual message of eternal India far and wide.

He was addressing a seminar on ‘Living Buddhism in Northeast India and its importance in tourism’ in Siliguri yesterday. Mr PK Dong, the former director (Europe), for the government of India, department of tourism, inaugurated the seminar. It was organised by Navanalanda Mahavihara and Help Tourism.

Emphasising the importance of Buddhism in today’s world Dr Panth said that with the world in turmoil the perennial philosophy enshrined in the Buddhist scriptures and culture must again inspire the world at large.
“And the Northeast India is the right place to disseminate the message of peace and spiritual oneness far and wide. My university is looking forward to the spiritually imbued region for the regeneration of the Indian mysticism, seemingly the only way out of the deepening crisis of civilisation,” he said.

DARJEELING HILLS: Gurung blames Asok for Bangladeshi migrants

FROM THE STATESMAN

KURSEONG, Nov. 23: State urban development minister Mr Asok Bhattacharya’s life is not long as nowadays with the way he is promoting and giving shelter to the Bangladeshi nationals in the Terai region, Dooars and Darjeeling hills, aiding communal organisations like the Aamra Bengali and Jan-Jagran Manch, said GJMM chief Mr Bimal Gurung. This shows that he is trying to create a greater Bangladesh, Mr Gurung, during a public meeting at the Khel-Kood Maidan, Margaret’s Hope Tea Estate in Kurseong.

Mr Gurung also said that the chief minister, Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, is an emotional person he had earlier said that the demand of a separate state is not unlawful.

Mr Gurung then went on to say that Marxist and Lenient policy are always in favour of the labour class but here its the people who call themselves follower of the policy are have taken it a wrong way. He also said that in the 1986 agitation, under the leadership of Mr Ghisingh, “I was a terrorist and badmash and there was violence but now we will never repeat that trend. However, we will fight, but in a constitutional way and in the premises of the Parliament and Writers’ Building.”

Mr Gurung said that the first tripartite meeting was an appreciable one and he hopes that the second phase of talks would be fruitful, but if it does not succeed, then we would have to resort to some other way.

Mr Gurung also announced Rs 10,001 for the kin of six tea workers Margaret’s Hope, who had died on 25 June, 1955, during an agitation for the interest of tea workers at the Margaret’s Hope Tea Estate to their respective family members. Mr Gurung also warned the GJMM representatives and leadership and said that they should maintain the party discipline instead of labeling allegations against each-others, they should be united for the greater cause of Gorkhaland. If not, then we will expel from from the party. He further added: “If I am betrayed in my demand of Gorkhaland, I will shoot myself.”

SIKKIM: Adventure cup in south hands

FROM THE TELEGRAPH

Gangtok, Nov. 23: The Southern Command won the Army Adventure Challenge Cup organised by 17th Mountain Division in Sikkim from November 15 to 22.

The Eastern Command that had majority of its representatives from 17th Mountain Division came second in the event. The General-Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Trishakti Corps, Lt General P.K. Rath, presented the trophy to the Southern Command team led by Captain Robert at the closing ceremony held at the Defence Auditorium here yesterday.

Sapper Sudhkar A of the Southern Command was adjudged the best mountain cyclist, while Sepoy G. Ramesh of South Western Command won the individual mountain running event.

Team A of the Southern Command won the white water rafting event. The team also won 3rd All India Open Slalom Championship held at Burdang, East Sikkim, on November 20. Thirteen teams had participated in the contest.

While Team A of the Eastern Command came first in the mountain biking contest, Team B came first in the mountain running contest.

SILIGURI: Coaching centre for shuttlers

FROM THE TELEGRAPH

The indoor stadium. (Kundan Yolmo)

Siliguri, Nov.23: The town is going to have its first badminton academy here by January. The project will be taken up by Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) in association with Bengal Badminton Academy (BBA).

“Officials from BBA came to meet me last month and we had a discussion on the formation of a full fledged badminton academy. They have agreed to help us,” said Bikash Ghosh, the mayor of Siliguri Municipal Corporation, who also sanctioned Rs 1 lakh from the civic fund for the project.

“The name of the proposed academy would be Siliguri Municipal Corporation Badminton Academy and it would function from Siliguri Indoor Stadium,” Ghosh said. “We had decided to establish an academy much earlier. Like table tennis, this sport is played here regularly and we have good infrastructure with an indoor stadium, which can accommodate a lot of trainees at a time. After considering all these factors, we have decided to start the academy.”

The civic body will ask different schools and clubs to send players aged between 7 and 13 years. Shuttlers for the academy would be chosen from these youngsters.

“There will be four courts inside the stadium, where players will be trained. We will start with at least 30 players from here. Coaches will be provided by BBA, and will come from Calcutta,” Mayor said.