NEW DELHI: Govt seeks ’structured’ discussion on Gorkhaland issue

FROM INDOPIA

New Delhi, Dec 29: The Centre today said specific issues related to governance should be analysed first before going ahead with the talks over the Gorkhaland issue.

The government&aposs assertion came after the four-hour-long second round tripartite meeting attended by representatives of the Centre, the West Bengal government and the members of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), which is spearheading an agitation for a separate Gorkhaland carved out of West Bengal.

“Some information and details on aspects of governance were sought and these details provided by the GJM would now be analysed closely. We will be in mutual consultation over specific issues before the next round of meeting can be held in a more structured manner,” Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta told reporters after the meeting.

Today&aposs meeting was attended by a 17-member delegation of the GJM, Home secretary Madhukar Gupta, Intelligence Bureau Director P C Haldar, West Bengal Chief Secretary Amit Kiran Deb, Director General of Police Anup Bhushan Vora and Bengal Home secretary Ashok Mohan Chakraborty.

PRESS RELEASE: SIKKIM UNIVERSITY

SIKKIM UNIVERSITY

(A Central University established by an Act of Parliament of India 2007)

Sikkim University is holding a press conference on Tuesday the 30^th December, 2008 at The Royal Plaza, Syari, Sikkim at 2.30 pm to announce the publication of the result of the First Semester Undergraduate Examination 2008-09, for the nine affiliated colleges of Sikkim University.

 

The examination in these colleges began on 1^st December, 2008 and ended on the 10^th December, 2008.

 

Sikkim University is declaring the results in a record time of 20 days.

ESSAY: Our military mess

FROM SIFY NEWS

BY CAPTAIN BHARAT VERMA

SHARED BY BISHAL RAI

Capt Bharat Verma is the editor of Indian Defence Review. A quarterly journal read by leading policy makers at senior bureaucratic, political and military levels, the IDR is renowned as the "most-quoted Indian defence publication". Capt. Verma is also the founder and current editor of Lancer Publishers, a publishing house dedicated to defence and security matters.

Despite the threat to the territorial integrity of the Union being visible for decades, New Delhi continues to mishandle the military preparedness year after year by degrading it.

Pakistan and Bangladesh export radical Islam to India in an effort to destabilize it. China funds movements like Gorkhaland and instigate its proxies. The borders are kept on the boil between China and its proxies while Bangladesh and Pakistan continue to implode India through terrorist acts with impunity. India remains under siege. Of course, overtly these regimes pretend to work in isolation of each other so as not to alarm New Delhi.

To defend by developing offensive military capabilities is crucial against the combined threat posed by the authoritarian regimes on our borders. India unfortunately is not geographically insulated or located in safe haven like the United States. Situated within the arc of Islamic terrorism in Asia, our military preparedness should be of the highest order with immense offensive capabilities and the ability to induct large bodies of troops rapidly from one theatre to another.

While the Indian military machine is falling apart due to acute shortages, New Delhi continues to fumble under the weight of its inherent helplessness. Former Air Chief Marshal S Krishnaswamy’s counter-question after the Mumbai siege, “When your defenses are weak, what are you going to coerce with?” illuminates the incompetence of South Block. The enemy could not have prayed for a more fortunate break.

Out of the sanctioned strength of 45 air force squadrons, 32 alone remain operational. Of these 32 units, one third are ageing MiG-21 squadrons that are nick named “flying coffins” for their air unworthiness. The French have offered upgrades to Mirage-2000 but the project hangs fire two and a half years later, out of sheer lethargy.

Despite being warned by the IAF for many years in advance of its requirement, 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft acquisitions mooted in 1999 stands delayed by at least another five years. If the IAF is expected to secure 14,000 kilometers of land borders, it requires both, technological superiority as well as numbers. They are missing at this moment when the country faces deep crisis. Similarly the air defense cover suffers from lack of adequate number of radars.

SOCIAL WORK IN ACTION: A VISIT TO DUKKA

9th November 2008 will be fondly remembered by the villagers of Dukka and Tanderbong, as, on this day, for the first time in the history of that area, a vehicle number bearing WB – 79 – 2119 was driven down the road the villagers had been constructing since 29th November 2007 near Dukka.

What a beautiful moment it was for the villagers there. Their joy knew no bounds. Their hard work and unity had not gone to waste. This event has indeed enlightened their spirit and has motivated them more to continue the construction even further.

This motorable road constructed by the villagers is a kucha road and the construction is going on without any help from the government. There are no engineers to guide them. The only support they get is from the villagers themselves and the Forest Department has been kind enough to give them a ‘No Objection Certificate’.

I too was pessimistic when I got an opportunity to visit them on 13th April 2008 with ten of our other local MARG volunteers. I noticed that it was such a herculean task and there were absolutely no resources other than the villagers themselves giving one day of their manual labour and their zeal to make this a motorable road.

Yes indeed their dream did come true on 29th November 2008 when the tyres of A vehicle rolled down the road that they had been constructing. The local panchayat member Mr, Sanchaman Rai was full of praises for Fr. Paul Sitling as he told the crowd that he was the one who was the guiding and motivational force behind the villagers’ hard work. ‘to work like ants’ according to a villager.

TRIBUTE: Master Mitrasen Thapa (1895—1946) by Jyoti Thapa Mani

BY JYOTI THAPA MANI

A book on Mitrasen by Sahitya Academy.

A road named after Mitrasen Thapa in Dharamsala. Photo by Jyoti Thapa Mani

Mitrasen Government High School in Dharamshala. Photo by Jyoti Thapa Mani

Master Mitrasen Thapa’s family today. Photo by Jyoti Thapa Mani

Mitrasen Thapa’s house known as Mitra Jhupro in Dharamshala. Photo by Jyoti Thapa Mani

Mitrasen’s Personal items. Photo by Jyoti Thapa Mani

One of Mitrasen’s Manuscript preserved at his house. Photo by Jyoti Thapa Mani

The manuscript of Gorkhali Bhayo Khalipic. Photo by Jyoti Thapa Mani

Buddha Baani – a celebrated book by Mitrasen Thapa. Photo by Jyoti Thapa Mani

The first day cover of stamps issued by Indian Postal Service commemorating Mitrasen’s Service to Indian Literature. In the collection of Jyoti Thapa Mani

Nepalese stamps commemorating Mitrasen’s contribution to Nepali literature. In the collection of Jyoti Thapa Mani

The foreword to Buddha Bani was written by His Holiness Dalai Lama

 

Master Mitrasen Thapa was born on the 29th December 1895 in Village Totarani, Bhagsu/Dharamshala. He was called master because in those days, the society called writers and musicians as Masters. He is the only Gorkha who has been felicitated by a postal stamp by bothe India and Nepal. He was concerned about the quality of the Nepali society and his works are dedicated to the people. Besides his great talent, Master Mitrasen discovered and employed three major tools in communication to the masses. One was humour, second, easy-to-sing and pick-up songs in melodious tunes and the third, the usage of simple Nepali householders’ language. Thus, instead of sermonising in seriously, Mitrasen Thapa used the medium of humour, drama, singing and dance. His songs first mesmerised the audience who then continued to sing them again and again. The messages got repeated in the process. Mitrasen realised the community needed to come together and get united all across. Through his creative work in the Nepali language and travelling, Mitrasen united all Nepalis from Nepal to Darjeeling to Punjab.

Mitrasen also highlighted the weaknesses of the society which could affect the future. He wrote against extravagant living and excesses of drinking. He wrote about the upliftment of women, and also the importance of high thinking and simple living. He wrote and spread in Nepali, the messages of Gautam Buddha, Bhagvad Gita and Mahabaharata for the Nepali masses to understand and imbibe in their daily lives.. He was always concerned about the quality of the Nepali society and most of his works are dedicated to the people. Instead of sermonising in serious tunes, Mitrasen Thapa used humour, drama, singing and dance to communicate his messages. There was time when everybody from Darjeeling, Sikkim, Dehradun to Dharamshala was all singing Master Mitrasen Thapa’s songs. This was his way of uniting them all. It is said that during his travels, he found Nepalis speaking different dialects, along with the highly Sanskritised Nepali bhasha. He realised that he had to develop a simple common man’s Nepali language which could be understood by all. He then decided to write in simple Gorkhali, easily understood by all.

Like they say the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Today as our society stands at crossroads, a revival of Master Mitrasen’s works will again create the same magic. Nine of his songs are there recorded in his own voice and with his own music group. His writings have been compiled by several authors. 35 of his original Pandulipis are there. Out of which only a few have been published.

A museum has been dedicated to him at his residence ‘Mitra Jhupro’ in Totarani, Dharamshala/Bhagsu. The museum could do with funds and management for better care, but nevertheless it still houses his work, his costumes, his stage jewellery, his harmonium, his medals and all that he possessed in his humble life of fifty years. It is painstakingly run alone by his only daughter-in-law Smt Devkanya Devi Thapa, widow of Master Mitrsen’s only son Late Digvijay Singh.

DOOARS TERAI: Bandh disrupts life in Siliguri, Dooars region of Jalpaiguri

FROM INDOPIA

Siliguri, Dec 29: Normal life was paralysed in Siliguri while some areas of Jalpaiguri were partially hit in response to a bandh call by an apolitical forum Janachetana in protest against the Gorkhaland movement by Gorkha Janmukti Morcha.

Shops, markets, business establishments downed their shutters and private vehicles kept off the roads, official reports said.

While banks did not function, work in government offices got affected, the reports said.

Three Janachetana activists, including its Secretary Mridul Chakraborty, were arrested by the Pradhan Nagar police for allegedly trying to enforce the bandh, Additional Superintendent of Police Gurav Sharma said.

In Jalpaiguri district, the shutdown call evoked response in many places, particularly in the Dooars area, Superintendent of police Manoj Verma told PTI.

Shops in the Dooars tea gardens functioned normally, but some shops and business establishments remained closed, official reports said. Fewer private vehicles plied on the roads.

The shutdown did not have any impact outside Terai and Dooars region of Jalpaiguri besides Siliguri .

Significantly though the CPI(M) had formally opposed the bandh, it did not field cadre to oppose it.

NEPAL: Pashupatinath bows to Nepal’s winds of change

FROM TIMES OF INDIA

The most Holy and divine Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu

KATHMANDU: The winds of change that began sweeping through Nepal since 2006, transforming the world’s only Hindu kingdom into a secular republic

headed by former Maoist guerrillas, have now overtaken the biggest icon in the Himalayan nation – Lord Pashupatinath.

From next month, breaking away from a nearly 300-year-old tradition, the deity revered by devotees of all faiths will be ceremonially worshipped by Nepali priests instead of priests brought from neighbouring India.

Since 1747, the kings of Nepal began engaging priests from southern India, known for its orthodoxy as well as knowledge of Hindu rituals. It was done due to the belief that after the death of the king, the father of the nation, all Nepalis had to observe a period of mourning which made them unfit to offer worship to the gods.

The Pashupatinath Temple, which draws pilgrims, tourists and architects from all over the world, is believed to have been built in the 3rd century BC after which it was destroyed several times by earthquakes and rebuilt.

The present structure is believed to have been constructed by King Bhupalendra Malla in 1697.

After the Shah kings of Gorkha defeated the Malla kings and took over Kathmandu valley, they upheld the tradition of employing Indian priests. In addition, the king became the patron of the temple development trust while the queen was its chief.

However, after the last king of the Shah dynasty Gyanendra tried to seize absolute power with the help of the army and failed, a pro-democracy uprising led by his arch enemies, the Maoist guerrillas, brought the downfall of Nepal’s once revered monarchy.

The new government that came to power after the pro-democracy movement ousted the king and queen from the temple management.

Soon after that, the Satnamis, a sect that worship Hindu god Vishnu, began a movement to scrap the old tradition of employing Indian priests.

Finally, heeding the growing demand, the three Indian priests handed over their resignations Sunday.

ASSAM: Concern over new Gorkha outfit Efforts on to strengthen counter-insurgency steps

FROM THE ASSAM TRIBUNE

GUWAHATI, Dec 28 – Efforts are on to improve coordination between the police and security forces involved in counter-insurgency operations in the North Bank districts and apart from the militant groups already active in the area, emergence of a new militant group-Gorkha National Front, has added to the worries of the forces. Police sources told The Assam Tribune that the emergence of the Gorkha National Front came to light following the arrest of two of its hardcore members recently. The outfit, which has about 50 cadres, was formed one year back and it has bases in the Borchola area of Sonitpur district and parts of Golaghat district.

Interestingly, the members of the Gorkha National Front were trained by members of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (I-M), which is under cease-fire agreement with the Government of India. Police said that the NSCN members, of course did not train members of the new outfit in the designated camps, but “somewhere else in Nagaland”. Though the new outfit is yet to officially announce its demands, police believe that the members are fighting for an autonomous council.

The AANLA is maintaining a low profile for some time, but police suspect the involvement of members of the outfit in the recent killing of an assistant manager of a tea estate near Paneri in Udalguri district. Police sources said that the AANLA demanded money from the garden and members of the outfit tried to kidnap the assistant manager and he was killed when he offered resistance.

The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) is keeping a low profile in the North Bank areas for some time as the strength of the outfit came down over the years. Police sources said that though the outfit does not have adequate number of cadres to create major disturbances, the security forces are not ready to lower their guards and counter-insurgency operations are still on.

DOOARS TERAI: Police tighten vigil ahead of bandh

FROM THE STATESMAN

SILIGURI, Dec.28: The north Bengal police are taking all necessary steps to keep life normal in the region in view of tomorrow’s 24-hour state wide bandh convened by Jana Chetna against the tripartite dialogue on the Darjeeling imbroglio slated to begin tomorrow in New Delhi.

Speaking on the matter the inspector general, North Bengal Police Mr KL Tamta said that the police personnel would be deployed at all the important public places and the government offices to prevent any attempt from any quarters to breach peace. “We would resist any move to force the strike on those reluctant to participate in the bandh agitation,” he said.

Meanwhile, a Jana Chetana leader in Siliguri, Mr Mridul Chakravarty, said that his organisation would organise a black flag rally protesting against the scheduled tripartite talks. “We want the Centre and the state government to clarify their stand on the foreigners’ issue first before venturing for the talks on the sensitive issue. The aliens among the Nepalese community must be screened from the genuine Indian citizens and only then a rightful dialogue can commence on the vexed issue,” he said.

BENGAL: Buddha takes cues from ET Blueprint, forms land bank

FROM ECONOMIC TIMES

KOLKATA: ET’S path-breaking initiative – ‘Kolkata Inc 2010: The Business Blueprint’ – designed to provide West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb

Bhattacharjee with ideas to resurrect the state’s industrial future, hasn’t gone in vain. Within a fortnight of the face-to-face between the CM and Kolkata Inc, the state government has started picking up several cues in the Blueprint dossier and is taking necessary action.

It’s a huge boost for ET’s month-long effort to facilitate development in the state. The results are also a recognition for scores of ET readers who had voluntarily come forward with suggestions for forging a collective growth process in the state.

The first impact was felt even before the grand finale on December 12 when the CM, on December 10, announced the setting up of a land bank for upcoming industrial projects. Interestingly, one of the top recommendations was that the state government should set up a land bank to minimise waiting time for investors keen on putting up greenfield ventures in the state.

The government has also taken note of the recommendation that industries should be developed in backward districts to avoid controversy over land acquisition. Accordingly, it has identified Birbhum for setting up industrial projects.
Kolkata Inc had also recommended that the state government can come out with an acceptable compensation and rehabilitation package for landlosers, who give up their land for industrial projects. To this end, the government has started working on a long-term rehab package that will look at offering commercial space to landlosers displaced by projects requiring at least 500 acres.

NATIONAL: Nepal seeks to save its Indian heritage

FROM EXPRESS BUZZ.COM

Samrajeswar Pashupateshwar Mahadev temple in Varanasi

KATHMANDU: Nepal’s cash-strapped government is seeking to save an ancient historic site that was once part of its tumultuous royal history and is still regarded as an architectural and artistic marvel in India’s holy Benaras city, where it is located.

The Samrajeswar Pashupateshwar Mahadev temple, which stands at Lalita Ghat along river Ganga, is regarded as outstanding even in Benaras, known as the temple city of India.

Its pagoda-style architecture distinguishes it from Indian temples while its exquisite wooden carvings, including erotica, is the work of master craftsmen who were brought from Nepal.

The temple was built in 1841 by the third king of Nepal’s longest-ruling Shah dynasty that was abolished only this year.

Rana Bahadur Shah was declared king of Nepal in 1777 when he was just two and a half years old.

Though marked by economic reforms and conquests, Shah’s reign was also marked by violence, bloodshed and intrigues.

As the courtiers got the upper hand over the king, he was banished to Benaras for four years with his queen Lalita. During the enforced stay, he built the temple in his wife’s name, a resting place for pilgrims and an old-age home for widows and abandoned women.

Years later, the temple was frequented by another banished king of the same dynasty, Rajendra Bir Bikram Shah. Rajendra’s disgruntled queen Raj Lakshmi Devi began plotting to overthrow the prime minister who had ousted them and subsequently, the king was ordered back to Nepal and kept under permanent detention till he died.

DARJEELING: Bash, buffets for year-end – So what if it is chilly in the hills, the mercury is up

FROM THE TELEGRAPH

VIVEK CHHETRI IN Darjeeling

The New Year cake at Central Resort Fortune. Modelled on the hotel building, it will come under the knife when the clock strikes 12 on December 31. Picture by Suman Tamang

It is time to beat the cold and hit the floors. A host of parties have been lined up to warm up Darjeeling on New Year’s Eve. Here we go with the rates and the menus.

Nasha

A couple will have to shell out Rs 1,700 for entry to the resto-bar. The charge is for unlimited flow of liquor and buffet. Under the second plan, couples can hit the dance floor for Rs 400 (stags Rs 300). For food and drinks, the charge is extra.

Food: Mostly Indian

The Regal Hall

Ready with one of the biggest dance floors in town and also the largest New Year cake is the Regal Hall of Central Resort Fortune. The party theme is pink. A troupe from Calcutta will entertain the guests. Entry is through invitation. Gifts will be there for all guests.

Food: Roasted turkey, steamed prawn, Lucknowi Kachi Dam Biryani

The Park

One of the best known eating joints in town would be an ideal place if one is planning a quiet evening with family.

Food: Chicken in ginger sauce, chicken in sweet basil, fish in bean sauce, flat rice noodles, rice noodle in chicken with sauce gravy and chicken coconut soup.

SIKKIM: 1700 tourists escorted out of Nathu-la

FROM THE TELEGRAPH

ARMY LIVE

Stranded tourists at Nathu-la being given food at an army camp on December 26 night and (below) sent back to Gangtok in defence vehicles the next morning

 About 1,700 tourists, including children and elderly people, were rescued by the army on December 26 after they were left stranded at Nathu-la on the India-China border in Sikkim because of heavy snowfall and sudden drop in temperature.

Search parties were sent to all locations where tourists were in distress till the early hours of December 27 before they were evacuated. Shelter was provided to the stranded people in different army camps and sleeping bags, food and medical aid were supplied to them at night.

As the Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, which connects the border with Gangtok, was blocked because of accumulated snow, at least 100 vehicles were abandoned in the middle of the road, making relief operation more difficult.

Endeavour was made throughout the night to move maximum tourists to lower altitude in army vehicles with non-skid chains.

On December 27, all the stranded tourists were sent back to Gangtok in coordination with the civil administration.

The tourists expressed their gratitude to the men in uniform for their hospitality at the high altitude.

WORKSHOP

A workshop on adolescence education and mental health was organised at Army Public School Binnaguri from November 18 to 21. The workshop, attended by 51 teachers, focused on skills, mental and physical health of adolescents and the ways of empowering teenagers aged 10 to 19 years to cope with stress.

At the inauguration, Chhanda Das, the principal, apprised all participants of the importance of the workshop and the CBSE’s instruction for implementing a scheme of providing 16 hours of army education in the school. The programme is being implemented at the school from December this year. A period of 1.45 hours has been taken out from school timetable and named “Sreejni” for providing army education.

KURSEONG: Women appeal for unity – - Split in plains after clashes with hill outfit

FROM THE TELEGRAPH

Kurseong, Dec. 28: The Gorkha Janmukti Nari Morcha today appealed to all the women in the hills to remain united in their efforts to achieve Gorkhaland. The appeal was made at a public meeting held here in the presence of central and core committee members.

“Even today we are being labelled foreigners. This is because we do not have any distinctive identity of our own in India. We need to fix that identity now and it will be possible when we get our own state,” said Urmila Rumba, a core committee member of the Nari Morcha.

Without naming Madan Tamang or the ABGL, Rumba asked the women not to get influenced by politicians in the opposition who were trying to derail the movement.

“Some people are trying to upset our movement. Ignore their comments,” Rumba said. Sishma Rai, a central committee member of the Nari Morcha, urged the women to be firm in their resolve.

DOOARS TERAI: Kalchini traders refused stalls

FROM THE TELEGRAPH

Alipurduar, Dec. 28: Nearly 50 traders could not set up stalls in the weekly market or haat today in Hamiltongonj after local people who are against the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha’s demand for Gorkhaland protested.

The residents said since the Morcha has not been allowing the people of Hamiltongonj to do business in the Chuapara, Mechpara, Rangamati and Central Dooars tea gardens, they would not allow traders from Kalchini to capture the local market.

“Kalchini traders don’t stand by us when the Morcha prevents us from doing business. We have to sustain our livelihood and need a market,” said Rabi Saha, the secretary of Hamiltongonj Hat Byabsayee Samity.

Almost 20 days have passed since the Morcha supporters clashed with local businessmen in Hamiltongonj.

The hill party had given the government an ultimatum: they wanted the accused arrested by December 22, failing which it would boycott the tripartite talks. Following a police order, four traders who had been named in FIRs filed by the Morcha surrendered in court. They were later released on bail.

Fearing retaliation after the traders were turned away this morning, the police set up pickets in Hamiltongonj and Kalchini Chowpathy, 1km away.

Annoyed, the traders then set up stalls in front of permanent shops in Kalchini, 33km from here, in protest.

DOARS TERAI: 24-hr bandh today against Gorkhaland

FROM THE TELEGRAPH

Siliguri, Dec. 28: A 24-hour “state-wide” general strike has been called by the Jana Chetana, an anti-Gorkha Janmukti Morcha forum, tomorrow to protest against the demand for a separate state.

The bandh called on a day when the Morcha leaders will sit with the government to discuss the demand for Gorkhaland is likely to affect normal life in the Siliguri subdivision and the adjoining areas of Jalpaiguri district.

The forum has also asked people to raise black flags at their homes tomorrow.

“We are against Gorkhaland but not against the tripartite talks for we believe that the issue should be solved through discussions,” said Mridul Chakraborty, the secretary of the Siliguri unit of the Jana Chetana, today. “We however, oppose the way the central and state governments have remained silent despite the highhandedness of the Morcha in the hills.”

Chakraborty said the state-wide strike might not be “total” throughout Bengal, but “it will definitely have its impact in Siliguri and suburbs, Jalpaiguri, parts of north Dinajpur and Cooch Behar.

State urban development minister Asok Bhattacharya and additional superintendent of police of Siliguri Gaurav Sharma met the Jana Chetana leaders today, asking them to withdraw the strike. The talks, however, failed.

Bhattacharya later told journalists that he was against the movement headed by Gurung but “equally opposed to some of the anti-Morcha forums that are triggering similar tension in the plains”.

CPI criticism

The CPI has asked the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha to withdraw its agitation in the hills as it is destabilising the economy of the region.

“I appeal to them (Morcha leadership) to withdraw their agitation immediately because it has jeopardised the economic stability of the hills and led to tremendous loss,” said Atul Anjan, the national secretary of the CPI at a news conference in Siliguri. “I do not agree with them that if anybody does not subscribe to their views he has to leave the hills. This is not the way to organise a democratic movement.”

DARJEELING HILLS: Cop top boss in line of fire

FROM THE TELEGRAPH

Darjeeling, Dec. 28: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha will bring up for discussion “state sponsored terrorism” and infiltration of Bangladeshi immigrants, apart from Gorkhaland, at the tripartite talks scheduled to be held in Delhi tomorrow.

Roshan Giri, the general secretary of the Morcha, said over the phone from Delhi today: “We will not accept any alternative arrangements for the region except for Gorkhaland. Certain quarters are talking about settling for a Union Territory status but we condemn such misleading suggestions.”

Giri is heading a 17-member delegation comprising among others, T.C. Dewan, the former chief secretary of Andhra Pradesh, and L.B. Pariyar, the ex-principal secretary of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council.

The Morcha has been alleging for some time that K.L. Tamta, the inspector-general of police (north Bengal), has been working on behalf of some political parties. Emphasising that “state sponsored terrorism”, would be discussed, Giri said: “The role of police personnel, who beat up our supporters when they were returning after lodging a written complaint at the Kalchini police station, will definitely figure in the talks.”

The Yuva Morcha has since the Kalchini clashes on December 10, taking out rallies across the hills, demanding that Tamta be transferred from north Bengal.