Kalimpong Municipality ward no. 16 commissioner Barun Bhujel, who was in police custody is no more.

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Kalimpong Municipality ward no. 16 commissioner Barun Bhujel, who was in police custody is no more.

The police had arrested Barun during the Gorkhaland agitation in June. With his health deteriorating he was taken to a hospital in Kolkata recently, where he took his last breath.
May the departed Gorkha soul Rest In Peace!







http://fkrt.it/uA!mN2NNNN

Sikkim police prevent Bengal team from taking away arrested GJM members

The tension between Sikkim and West Bengal over Gorkhaland is set to rise as Sikkim Police on Friday detained a team of six Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) members arrested by Bengal policemen.

The team entered the south district of the Himalayan state allegedly without informing Sikkim administration.

The Bengal police team raided a spot in Majhitar near Namchi (South district headquarters) where a meeting of central committee members of the GJM was taking place. Sikkim Police detained the six arrested at Namchi police station.

The Bengal Police will need to obtain a transit remand from a Sikkim court, Pratap Pradhan, senior superintendent of police of Sikkim’s south district told HT.Pradhan also alleged that Dawa Bhutia, 34, who is a resident of Kalimpong, died when policemen from Bengal opened fire at a place called Saddam near Namchi (the headquarters of South district). “We will register a case,” said Pradhan.

The tension between the two states started on June 20 when Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling wrote to Union home minister Rajnath Singh expressing his support for the new state being demanded by the Gorkhas. Bengal government promptly opposed Chamling’s stance, calling it an unwelcome interference.

“They have to take those arrested away on transit remand granted by a court. The team of Bengal police came into SIkkim territory without informing us,” said Pradhan. However, he did not reveal the identity of those arrested by Bengal police.

State is not possible in Darjeeling of West Bengal said MP S.S. Ahluwalia

To a disappointment, Darjeeling’s own MP S.S. Ahluwalia said in media a state is not possible in Darjeeling of West Bengal. Ahluwalia today said in case of forming a new state by carving out any territory, the particular state has to send an official proposal to the central Government and also present the logic behind the formation of a new state.
Neither West Bengal nor Tripura Government has sent any proposal so far there is no question of forming a new state in West Bengal and Tripura, The ministry of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Agriculture told the reporters.
To resolve the problem in Darjeeling Hills MP S.S Ahluwalia has stressed on talks. “I as an MP from Darjeeling would say that all problems could be solved through negotiation. If the problems would be solved through bipartite talks it is well and good if that fails, then we have to ought for tripartite talks” he said.
He said the Centre was interested in empowering the tribal councils or hill councils and in that case also specific proposals would have to be proposed to the Centre on the basis of which action plans could be chalked out.

The Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) has demanded the formation of a separate state by carving out the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), which forms two third of the state territory.

“This demand is not practical. Tripura is a small state and there is no question of forming a separate state. Likewise, there is no possibility of forming any state in Darjeeling of West Bengal,” he said.

However, he said, if there is a specific proposal from the states for development of those areas, the Centre would respond to it.
“Ultimately, development is required. If people’s problems could be solved through proper developments, these demands would wither away,” he added.

Darjeeling Toy Train Loses Rs. 2.5 Crore Due To Agitation

Darjeeling: The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) has incurred an estimated loss of Rs. 2.5 crore due to the ongoing Gorkhaland agitation in West Bengal, an official said on Monday.
“If the situation would have been normal, that is the amount we would have earned in this time by running our trains. Services have been suspended since June 12,” Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) Chief Public Relations Officer Pranav Jyoti Sharma told IANS.
Till June 12 this year, the DHR registered earnings of Rs. 3.05 crore.
The heritage train operates under NFR. The UNESCO granted world heritage status to the DHR on December 2, 1999.
Following the agitation, the Sonada and Gayabari stations of DHR were damaged besides the DHR headquarter Elysia building at Kurseong. The Gayabari station was gutted in a fire.
“We used to run nine trains daily from Darjeeling to Ghoom. There used to be a train from Siliguri to Darjeeling and one from Darjeeling to Siliguri. All the trains have stopped. We have to sit back till the situation normalises,” Mr Sharma said.
All advance bookings from July 12 for DHR toy trains were cancelled and money refunded. The annual expenditure of the DHR is estimated at Rs. 15 crore.
The hill passenger railway started operations in 1881.
Local parties have been protesting in the Darjeeling hills demanding a separate state of Gorkhaland.

CM asks parties to withdraw agitation

#GorkhalandIssue

CM asks parties to withdraw agitation

Mamata Banerjee today asked political parties in the hills to withdraw the indefinite strike, referring to hardships caused by the agitation to various sectors like education, tourism, trade and tea plantation.

"I would like to tell political parties in the hills to restore normality. Darjeeling is an international brand and it should not be spoiled. You can ask for anything from us. We will try to meet them at our best," the chief minister told a public meeting here in North Dinajpur.

Mamata appeared a bit mellowed today and refrained from launching a scathing attack on the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha. "Why should one create tension, spark violence and resort to arson, inconveniencing several people?" she asked.

The chief minister reeled off the troubles caused by the strike.

"Workers in tea estates are not getting food. Over 80 tea estates have closed down. Why have you resorted to a movement that has led to the closure of tea estates, schools and colleges? Students cannot study and several of them find their future bleak and are about to lose an academic year. I would like to reiterate that if somebody speaks of responsibility, then they should work in the interest of common people," Mamata said.

She said any movement could achieve success only if it worked for common people. "Here, people are not getting food, there is no employment and they are disappointed. On the other hand, some people are indulging in politics."

Mamata also mentioned the sectors hit by the strike. "Tea, trade, tourism and transport sectors are close. What's happening?" she asked.

"...I will lay down my life but would not allow the division of Bengal. I will continue my struggle against those who want to divide Bengal," the chief minister said.

Gorkhaland movement has no connections with Maoists: Bimal Gurung

-Gurung said that the ongoing agitation by hill-based parties was totally peaceful and democratic.

Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) president Bimal Gurung refuted allegations made by West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee that Maoists were actively involved with the agitation for separate Gorkhaland.

Speaking to reporters in Darjeeling on Monday, Gurung said the ongoing agitation by the hill-based parties was totally peaceful and democratic. “The agitators are not using any kind of weapon,” he said.

“Allegations that the Gorkhaland movement has the support of the Maoists are baseless,” Gurung said and asked the chief minister to furnish proof. “The Union government should also ask the state government to furnish evidences in support of the allegations.”

Gurung’s comments coincide with Mamata’s two-day visit to North Bengal. The chief minister arrived in Siliguri on Monday evening and is scheduled to address a Trinamool Congress rally and chair an administrative meeting in North Dinajpur district on Tuesday.

Gurung assured that the agitators will not use any kind of weapon in the movement.

Incidentally, the crucial meeting of Gorkhaland Movement Coordination Committee (GMCC) is scheduled in New Delhi for Tuesday.

GMCC a joint platform of 15 political parties and non-political organisations, was formed on June 29 to spearhead the Gorkhaland movement.

Gurung said that the bandh, which entered its 46th day, was called by the people and would continue.

So far, eight Gorkhaland supporters have died in police firing in Darjeeling hills. Normal life has been completely paralysed. Opposition parties in Bengal want the Centre to intervene and call for a tri-partite meeting to defuse the crisis.

However, there has been lukewarm response from the Union government on this matter. Properties worth crores of rupees have been destroyed as the movement is rapidly turning leaderless as leaders of various parties in the GMCC have been stating that they have no control over the agitating people.

[Via: Hindustan Times]

Mamata in North - Hills Apprehensive

Bengal Chief minister Mamata Banerjee arrived here yesterday evening on a two-day visit to north Bengal.
Her current trip is significant because she has come here for the first time after the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha launched the statehood movement and an indefinite strike on the cause on June 15. Other hill parties are also into the movement now.
After holding a meeting of the state cabinet in Darjeeling on June 8, the same day Morcha supporters clashed with police, the chief minister returned from north Bengal on June 10
"Mamata's current visit is important as the impasse is continuing in the hills. More importantly, for the past two-three days, the Morcha has been making repeated attempts to bring down the agitation to the plains and indulging in violence at places like Sukna and Jaigaon," a source in Darjeeling district administration said.
During her stay, Mamata will take stock of the situation and interact with senior civil and police officials, many of whom have been posted in the hills since the Morcha renewed its movement for statehood.
Upon her arrival at Bagdogra airport, the chief minister spoke to some hill Trinamul leaders. It was learnt that she again mentioned the selection of Shanta Chhetri, a former GNLF MLA from Kurseong who is now in Trinamul, as a Rajya Sabha candidate of the ruling party.
Tomorrow, Mamata will attend an administrative meeting in Chopra block of North Dinajpur, located around 40km from here, and address a public meeting.
"The chief minister is expected to hold talks and meetings with officials as well as Trinamul leaders and her cabinet colleagues on the hill issue. That is why Chopra has been selected as the venue, even though it is the farthest block from Raiganj, the district headquarters of North Dinajpur," an official said.
State tourism minister Gautam Deb and north Bengal development minister Rabindranath Ghosh were in Bagdogra to receive Mamata.
Deb is expected to brief her on the current situation in the hills.
Mamata did not speak to the media at Bagdogra.

[Via: Telegraph]

Mamata playing with fire in Darjeeling

Mamata playing with fire in Darjeeling, should perform CM’s duty: Union minister
AhluwaliaWest Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee is playing with fire, says Union minister SS Ahluwalia who represents Darjeeling in the Lok Sabha.
ngal chief minister Mamata Banerjee is playing with fire, says Union minister SS Ahluwalia who represents Darjeeling in the Lok Sabha. The five-term parliamentarian and BJP leader reiterates his party’s position on the demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland, saying he will fight to get justice for the Gorkhas.
He gave Hindustan Times his views on crisis in Darjeeling.
Q: Why is Darjeeling in turmoil?
A: The crisis in Darjeeling was triggered after West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s statement about making Bengali mandatory in schools. A large section of the Nepali- and Santhali-speaking population of Darjeeling has reservation about this, as that would involve them giving up one of the three preferred languages: their mother tongue, English, or Hindi.
The protest started as a peaceful demonstration, but police action made matters worse. The issue could have been handled more sensitively. The first thing that Mamata Banerjee should do is to clarify categorically that there is no order and that she is not going to impose Bengali as compulsory language for the hills and Dooars regions. Given the distrust and flared-up emotions, the clarification should be official and must come from the government and not just a statement.
Q: What has the present crisis to do with the Gorkhas’ demand for a separate state?
A: The demand for a separate state by Gorkhas, Santhalis and others is pending. Mamata Banerjee’s is desperate to make inroads in Darjeeling and Dooars by dividing the Gorkhas, Adivasis and Rajbonshis. This divisive policy to serve her political interest is to be blamed for the crisis. It has reinforced, especially among the Gorkha community and others, a sense that Kolkkata is insensitive towards them. Due to this, the Gorkhas felt the need to revive their demand for a separate state. Such a divisive politics is always counterproductive.
Q: Do you blame Mamata Banerjee for the crisis?
A: She is playing with fire in Darjeeling. In order to suppress the voice of the people, she is denying access to the internet, which as per the UN Charter is a violation of human rights. As a recipient of a UN award, I wish we don’t have to remind her of these duties. It is a clear-cut example of the abuse of state’s authority. We hope Mamata Banerjee will correct herself and perform her duty as the chief minister, and not as the president of the Trinamool Congress. She would do well to remember the debt of gratitude this nation owes to Gorkhas for their role in defending our nation, and keep that in mind whenever she looks at the hills of Darjeeling.
Q: But why is the BJP government at the Centre not clarifying its stand on Gorkhaland?
A: The BJP promised in its election manifesto for the 2014 Lok Sabha election that “BJP will sympathetically examine and appropriately consider the long-pending demands of the Gorkhas, the Adivasis and other people of Darjeeling district and the Dooars region; of the Kamtapuri, Rajbongshi and other people of North Bengal (including recognition of their language)”.
We remain committed to this promise. There is a procedure to be followed. We are working on it. It is an old demand and a solution cannot be delivered overnight. The state government should prepare a conducive environment to take this issue to a logical end.
Q: Is there any contradiction in the BJP’s stand and the Gorkhas’ demand?
A: There is no question of a contradiction. We remain committed to every word mentioned in the party manifesto. But, as I said, the issue has been there for more than 100 years, so a solution cannot be expected overnight. As Rajya Sabha MP from Bihar and Jharkhand, I fought for justice for the Gorkhas and will continue to do so.
Q: What role does the Centre play to defuse the crisis?
A: The home ministry was prompt to respond to West Bengal’s demand for additional security forces for Darjeeling to maintain peace. But the way the state police and administration handled the situation was not appropriate.
Instead of deescalating the crisis, they used every tactic to gain political benefit out of it, settling scores with opponents and turned a simple peaceful demonstration into a battlefield. Houses of Gorkha leaders were raided and false cases registered against them. Is this how such a situation should be dealt with? The Centre is cooperating with the state, but Mamata Banerjee should take the initiative to solve the political issue.
Q: Have you taken up the matter with the central government?
A: It’s my duty, as the local MP, to act as a bridge between the people and the central government. I continue to perform my duty there, and have been in constant touch with the local leadership and the central government. I briefed the home ministry and the BJP leadership about the situation as well as the state of affairs, and have appealed to them to intervene. But, unfortunately, when the Centre requested the state to send a ground report and officials for discussing the problem, Mamata Banerjee refused to send a team to Delhi. The home ministry is concerned about the situation and it is monitoring it closely.
Q: How do you see the protest turning violent in Darjeeling?
A: The killing of unarmed protesters is unpardonable, and I have asked for an inquiry. The administration is responsible for this and shall be held accountable. The family of the deceased should be compensated. Such action against people is unacceptable, and shall not be tolerated.
Q: How do you respond to Banerjee’s alleging the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha with insurgents?
A: The CM seems to have forgotten that she is dealing with Gorkhas, people known for their valor and loyalty to India. The Gorkha community served and continues to serve the nation and is known to be second to none when it comes to defending our borders.
It is shameful that Mamata Banerjee and her administration treated them like insurgents and terrorists, choosing to use live bullets instead of other means to control crowds. This would be unacceptable in any civilized society.
The Gorkhas have been, and still are, fighting for their identity and a separate state that recognizes them as equals. And it is the state’s mistreatment over decades that led them to do so.

Woman Taking 2 Minor Sikkim Girls to Pune for Prostitution Arrested and Minors Rescued from Train

Social media played a key role in detecting a human trafficking case and the subsequent rescue of two minor girls who were being taken from Sikkim to Pune. Swift messaging on twitter alerted the railway authorities and led to the arrest of a 26-year-old woman from Sikkim who was about to push these minors into a prostitution racket she operated in Pune.
The two teenage girls a 14-year-old and a 15-year-old, both residents of a village in south Sikkim, had gone missing from their homes on July 11, and a missing complaint was lodged with the local police. The accused, also a resident of the area, allegedly befriended them and on the pretext of showing them around Pune and giving them a job in a `big city', made them run away from their homes. On Friday, the three boarded the 12120 Howrah-Pune Azad Hind Express from Howrah, but before boarding, the girls had apparently confided and even asked another one of their friends to accompany them on their big journey. This is what led to their rescue. The friend informed the family and on Saturday, a relative of one of the two girls, Binay Gazmer took to twitter and informed the Railway ministry about the girls' possible location.
The ministry informed the respective divisional railway managers of Bhusawal, Pune, Nagpur, Secunderabad, Raipur, Bilaspur all railway divisions on the train's route. The RPF teams along the route were also alerted. By the time, the information was relayed, the Azad Hind Express had passed Bhusawal and was headed for the next halt at Jalgaon.
The RPF Bhusawal team relayed the information to RPF Jalgaon who passed it on to Sub Inspector KB Singh. Singh accessed the rail information system to trace the location of the train, and as soon as the train stopped at Jalgaon, he and his team carried out a search. They found the three women in the rear coach of the general compartment. Since the RPF Jalgaon did not have women constables, the girls and the accused were handed over to RPF Bhusawal.
"Initially, the 26-year-old woman said she ran a clothes business in Pune, and she was taking the teenage girls to work at the clothes shop. After sustained interrogation separately, the woman confessed that she was into prostitution and she was taking the girls to engage them in the same profession under the pretext of giving them employment in Pune," said Inspector RPF, Bhusawal Vinod Langiwar.
Langiwar said the woman, though from Sikkim, had a house in Vasant Kunj in South West Delhi and one in Shanti Nagar in Pune. "It appeared that she had a nation-wide network. We have informed the Sikkim Police, and the girls' families are on the way to Bhusawal to take their custody. The girls have been sent to Mahila Kalyan Kendra till their families reach here," Langiwar said.
When contacted, Central Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Sunil Udaasi said, "As soon as we got information, we alerted the RPF Chief Security Commissioner. They alerted Bhusawal division and finally they succeeded in arresting them in Jalgaon around 10 pm on Saturday night. We are waiting for the girls' family to reach here so we can hand over them over safely."
By Kamal Mishra, Mumbai Mirror

TMC Leader Let Basirhat Violence Escalate

In a sensational sting, a Trinamool Congress leader, the Minority Committee Chairman, has been caught on tape saying that a fellow party leader let the situation out of control in Baduria. "But when the problem started, he was sitting at home, he never came to douse it. And yet we call him a leader of the All India Trinamool Congress," he says.

Here's the full transcript of their interaction:

Sreya: When the riots started, the man responsible, the Municipal Corporation Chairman I think...(inaudible)...didn't he try controlling the situation?

Montu Haji: (Inaudible)...Is the Minority Ward President....(Inaudible)...In Baduria, I am the Minority Committee Chairman...At this point of time, I am the Block President...(Inaudible)...We can't deny that fact...If you try to get information about him (Tushar Singha), you will find out that he is involved in cow smuggling & gold smuggling, everyone is aware of this. From the youngest boy to the oldest man in Baduria, everybody knows about him. 

Sreya: So you are saying, somewhere he was involved?

Montu Haji: He doesn't have the time to look after the organisation. Our District President Jyotipriya Mallick forcefully imposed this responsibility on him. He spends the money (meant for the organisation). When a problem arises, he doesn't have the potential to find a solution to it. He doesn't have that talent. He is an uneducated man. 

Sreya: But I just want to ask...(unclear)...

Montu Haji: No, I don't know about that...Now, the incident that happened in Baduria is shameful. Similar incidents happened in the past but he suppressed everything. He doesn't have the time. When a child is born, it has an unbreakable relationship with the mother, the mother is always concerned about the well being of the child, she takes care that nothing happens to the child. Our homes are here, we know about the sensitivity of the situation. It is like a new born child, even if something minor happens...(inaudible)...Now, he doesn't have the time to erase the differences between people here. In every situation, what he does that say for example if someone tells him that a Goat has eaten up the crop, he won't care about it. (Inaudible)...The ward from where he won, he won using money power, in that ward somebody owns a cowshed. Cowshed is a place where cows are kept. (Unclear)...What will happen to the people here? A person's upbringing tells a lot about a person. If somebody's father is married five times...In a Muslim household...(inaudible)...He was raised like that. This situation wouldn't have escalated so much. I think he should have visited that house (Facebook Post Author's) Had he visited and spoken to the people there, people there know him, had he apologised to them...(inaudible)...The boy was under age, he wasn't even 18 years old...(inaudible)...Many a times, it so happens that people sketch things, hand it over and go away. Even while driving many times, we unintentionally break rules and then apologise for making the mistake. Had the boy's father also apologised saying that my son has made a mistake, the episode would have ended there. 

Sreya: Why wasn't it done?

Montu Haji: (Inaudible)...What goes in the minds of kids sometimes can't be understood. If local leaders like District President and others along with the help of the administration would have spoken and withdrawn the matter, the situation wouldn't have spiraled out of control. 

Sreya: Even if some step would have been taken...

Montu Haji: Yes...I don't think...In Baduria, if you hear about him from anyone, from smallest of small problem...(gets cut)

Montu Haji: Police listens to him, be it in legal or illegal matters. He even has bribed our Food Minister & District President Jyotipriya Mallick

Sreya: So you are saying he has failed to control the violence?

Montu Haji: Yes, that's right... 

Sreya: That means, on his part and on the police's part, no action was taken?

Montu Haji: If somebody believes they can forcefully become a politician...For the last three days, a crisis has been brewing...But when the problem started, he was sitting at home, he never came to douse it. And yet we call him a leader of the All India Trinamool Congress...After the incident, two of our leaders (takes the names but is unclear) went there, spoke to people, he was standing with them but didn't have a word to say.

A 35-year-old woman from Sikkim

 A 35-year-old woman from Sikkim was raped by two young men in front of her children in Visakhapatnam late last week.

The incident happened on June 3, but came to light Wednesday after the woman and her husband lodged a police complaint.

According to inspector Raju of the Gajuwaka police station, four persons, including a minor, gained entry into the woman’s house at Bhanojithota in Gajuwaka locality on the evening of June 3 when her husband was not in. After threatening her, they searched the house for money and found Rs 650 in total.

Police said the woman was raped by two members of the gang in front of her three children. They threatened her with dire consequences if she revealed the matter to anyone.

The police have booked cases under Section 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code.

Though police say they are still searching for the accused, sources said they have already been picked up from various places. Sources said the four are ex-offenders and were involved in a number of property offences in the past.

#GorkhalandIssue: Communal Disharmony in the Plains - Hill People Targeted in Siliguri and Nearby Areas

Writes: Ravik Bhattacharya

WITH the strike seeking a separate Gorkhaland entering the 18th day, tensions between the Bengali and Nepali communities of the region are coming to the fore. While a state minister has issued a statement promising safety of people from the hills in the plains, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha that is spearheading the demand for Gorkhaland has accused the government of inciting “communal hatred” and “division” between the two regions.
Meanwhile, reports are coming in of harassment of people from the hills and Sikkim in towns such as Siliguri, which has an overwhelming population of Bengali-speaking people, and of people even leaving.

On Saturday evening, GJM supporters tried to set afire three finders in Kurseong, in the first such attack on emergency services. This followed repeated attacks in the plains on vehicles travelling to the hills. Vehicles crossing Siliguri on their way to Sikkim with essential items and food via NH10 continue to be vandalised.

Recently, West Bengal Tourism Minister Gautam Deb said the government will ensure that people from the hills are safe in the plains. “We are identifying the miscreants. Steps are being taken to ensure people of the hills who are in Siliguri and others parts in the plains for work or education do not feel threatened.”
In a statement on Sunday, the GJM said, “Anti-Gorkhaland forces and TMC government-sponsored elements have been actively inciting the people of Siliguri, Odlabari, Malbazar, Meteli and parts of Dooars in communal hatred and division between hills and the plains.”

A number of apolitical rallies have been taken out in Siliguri against the demand for a separate Gorkhaland. Apart from pro-Bengali groups and organisations, which have again become active, ruling Trinamool Congress workers are a prominent presence at such rallies.

The latest agitation for Gorkhaland was sparked by an order from the government making Bengali language mandatory from Class 1 in all schools across the state. Khushiranjan Mondol of ‘Amra Bangali’, a pro-Bengali organisation which was active during the 2010 Gorkhaland protests, says, “Bimal Gurung should be immediately arrested. We will not let Bengal get divided. The bandh in the hills should be immediately called off. One must remember they are dependent on the plains for food stocks.”

Mukunda Majumder, the president of the ‘Bangla of Bangla Bhasha Banchaon Committee’, justifies the anger in Siliguri. “While vehicles from Bengal are being ransacked on their way to Sikkim, Sikkim vehicles are collecting stocks from here. How can this be?” Condemning the attacks on Sikkim vehicles in Siliguri, the GJM has said it would write to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. “We would request the government of India to take steps to ensure the safety and security of Sikkimese and Gorkhali people in Siliguri. The state police are acting as bystanders when incidents of violence take place,” it said.

In its statement on Sunday, the Morcha said, “The GJM on behalf of all the Gorkhas worldwide condemns the harassment being meted out to the people of Sikkim in Siliguri. Sikkim and Darjeeling have always shared a cordial and warm relationship. Sikkim coming forward in support of Gorkhaland is an example of it. India being a democracy, everyone has the right to voice their opinion, that does not mean that Sikkimese vehicles should be vandalised and Sikkimese people harassed in broad daylight in Siliguri.”

The GJM also accused “anti-Gorkhaland forces” and the TMC government-backed elements of instigating violence to defame its agitation. “The GJM finds it intriguing as to how these arsons and attacks on government offices and properties are taking place in the presence of a large number of West Bengal Police and CRPF personnel,” it said.

Via: Indian Express

EVEN TMC MP IS NOT SAFE IN BENGAL - Who is?

Netaji's family house yesterday came under attack from a group of syndicate members owing allegiance to the ruling party.

A group of bike-borne men interrupted labourers at the residence of Sugata Bose, Trinamul MP and great-nephew of Subhas Chandra Bose, demanding why he had not procured building materials from the syndicate while repairing a portion of his Sarat Bose Road house. The house is 10 minutes by car from Netaji Bhavan on Elgin Road.

"Syndicate" is a colloquialism for construction material cartels run with the alleged backing of a section of leaders of the ruling party. The syndicate members force contractors to buy inferior building materials at high prices. They are mostly manned by unemployed foot soldiers who had been promised jobs that have failed to materialise in the absence of industrialisation.

Allegations of involvement in syndicates have been made in the past few years against several ruling party leaders.

Bose, who teaches at Harvard, had asked the group to leave, concerned about the security of his mother Krishna Bose, a former Trinamul MP who usually lives alone at the house.

But identifying themselves as supporters of the Trinamul Congress, the group dared Bose to do "whatever he wished to" and threatened to return.

Police swung into action minutes after Bose reported the matter to Ballygunge police station. CCTV footage was collected from the locality and six persons were arrested by the evening. The police, however, did not reveal their identities till late tonight.

The extortion attempt in daylight in the heart of the city and targeted at a ruling party MP is an indication of how syndicates are thriving under political patronage.

"I lodged a police complaint because of two reasons. I told the police I am concerned about the safety and security of my mother, but the bigger concern is I do not want the ordinary people to face the same ordeal," said Bose, the MP from Jadavpur.

Sources said the MP had lodged a complaint about trespassing and criminal intimidation. Officers in Lalbazar said at night they were yet to draw up the charges officially.

The police said the incident happened around 1pm when Bose heard some commotion outside his house after lunch.

A part of the balcony on the first floor of the building on 90 Sarat Bose Road was being repaired. Scaffolding -the telltale sign that puts syndicates on the scent of the prey - had been erected on the front of the building so that the masons could reach the damaged parapet. Sources said Monday was the first day of work.

Sugata Bose's family has been living in this building since 1974. His father, Sisir Bose, a doctor, had a chamber in the building.

"I heard some commotion outside. Some men were standing right outside my house and asking the masons the name of the contractor. It was a small repair job. There was no need of any contractor. Then they started demanding why the supplies were not taken from them," Bose said.

At this, Bose, concerned about the security of his 86-year-old mother who was standing nearby, took his phone and started to call the police.

"The men, seeing Bose call the police, started dropping the name of the party they belonged to and dared Bose saying: Ja ichchhe korun... police ke dakchhen? Kichhu hobe na. Amra abar ashbo (do whatever you want. You are calling the police? It's of no use. We will come back again)," an investigator said. Then they left on the bikes.

Earlier, around 10am, the same group had visited Bose's house and threatened the masons. However, since they had gone away, it was not reported to Bose.

In the evening, the police identified one of the accused on the CCTV footage and picked up the five others based on his statement.

Members of syndicates often spot their targets by identifying houses that have scaffoldings indicating that some repair or renovation is underway. The syndicate members who usually enjoy the patronage of the local clubs try to extort money from individuals or contractors if the owner of the house does not agree to buy the building material supplies from them. If the owner agrees, the deal is invariably fixed on the terms and conditions of the syndicate.

As the syndicate members enjoy political immunity, police are forced to look the other way, sources said.

Trinamul secretary-general Partha Chatterjee tonight said the party was yet to be informed. "About this, we don't know anything yet. Nothing at all, as of now," Chatterjee said.

Sources in the ruling party said there will be no direct political involvement and the case would be left to the police administration to "let the law take its own course".

[Via: Telegraph]

INTERNET RESTRICTION EXTENDED FOR EIGHT MORE DAYS

The West Bengal District Administration on Monday extended the restriction imposed on internet services for another eight days in Darjeeling, to halt rumours from spreading through social media.
Earlier on June 20, the state government had also planned to extend the internet service till June 26. But people alleged that the proposed step will violate their freedom of expression.
Scores of people yesterday took out a torch rally here demonstrating a protest, demanding a separate Gorkhaland state.
The roads were swamped with men and women holding torch and raising slogans like, "We want Gorkhaland".
On the other hand, people in Darjeeling took out a bike rally protesting for the same.
"We want a separate Gorkhaland state. Protesting for the same we are taking out this procession," said a local.
[Via: Outlook India]

We don’t support Gorkhaland… but CM Mamata Banerjee must apologise to Hills: Kailash Vijayvargiya

"Can never support demand to turn municipal corporation into state," state BJP president Dilip Ghosh said, stating that creation of states on the basis of ethnicity and language will divide the country into pieces against the idea of pluralism.
Asserting that his party does not support GJM’s demand for the creation of a separate Gorkhaland, BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya asked Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to apologise to the people of the Hills for her failure to address their demands. “I do not support the creation of Gorkhaland, but I do support the development of the Gorkha people and their culture and heritage. The state government has created Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) to address the demands of hill people. However, the state government did not address their demands. It failed to provide them financial as well as administrative rights. This is the reason why Gorkhas have grudge against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and as a result they resorted to organising protest movements,” Vijayvargiya said.
The BJP leader was in the city to participate in a rath yatra programme. “Banerjee should go to Darjeeling and tender her apologies to the people of the hills. She must address their problems,” he added.
Similarly, state BJP president Dilip Ghosh said the creation of states on the basis on ethnicity and language will divide the country into pieces.
“We did not raise any objection when it came to the creation of states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Telangana. But we can never support the demand to turn a village or municipal corporation into a state. We do not support the demand for creation of a state on the basis on ethnicity or language of the people. If such things happen, then the country will be divided into pieces,” said Ghosh.
Src: indianexpress

Indo Nepal Border Sealed From Today - Local Elections Scheduled To Take Place On June 28

The India-Nepal border was sealed for three days beginning Monday ahead of the second phase of local level election scheduled to take place on June 28.
The border was sealed after a meeting between the security officials of the bordering districts of the two countries held at Supaunli, the Kathmandu Post reported.
The Kathmandu Post quoted the Chief District Officer, Yagya Raj Koirala, as saying that the border has been sealed off for the second round of the local polls slated for June 28, and it will open and operate as before from June 29.

PUSH FOR #GORKHALAND: 'Ready for Collective Leadership' - says Gurung

Writes: Pramod Giri

Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) president Bimal Gurung has said he is ready to consider the issues of joint leadership for the struggle to realise Gorkhaland but advised parties like Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) to hit the streets immediately.

“I am ready to seriously consider the GNLF and other parties’ suggestion of a joint leadership to the movement as well as other suggestions such as walking out of the GTA. But the leaders of other parties including the GNLF should immediately come out and hit the streets as I am doing now,” Gurung told HT.

On Wednesday, Gurung claimed that 85 families have returned to the Morcha fold from Trinamool camp. “On Monday, 42 families came back to our fold, followed by 85 today. Soon we will have a largely Trinamool free Darjeeling,” remarked Gurung, who had to witness Mamata Banerjee’s party post their first electoral victory in the hills in May in Mirik municipality. Gurung claimed Takvar, his own constituency in GTA, has already become a ‘Trinamool free’ zone.

On Thursday, tension may rise in the hills as Gorkha Janmukti Yuva Morcha (GJYM) has decided to organise a rally. If the police want to resist, GJYM threatened to call an indefinite total bandh. According to adviser of GJYM, Jiten Rai, the rally is to protest against ‘police atrocities’ and demand immediate release of those arrested since June 8, when violence broke out leading to the deployment of army.
Gurung also sounded a veiled alarm bell for the tourists. “How can tourists enjoy when the police are regularly resorting to unprovoked lathi charge on our supporters. No matter how many police and para-military personnel are deployed, the movement for Gorkhaland cannot be stopped. The police super and Darjeeling DM are working like TMC cadres,” Gurung alleged.

On Tuesday Gurung got a shot in the arm after five parties and an apolitical pan-India Gorkha body turned up at the all-party meeting he called in Darjeeling and unanimously vowed to fight for a separate state of Gorkhaland. The development is a direct challenge to chief minister Mamata Banerjee who has resolved not to allow a division of Bengal.

The unity of hill parties largely depends on how long GJM and GNLF, the alliance partner of Trinamool Congress for the civic elections, could work together.
GNLF has put forward five conditions to the GJM to accept before they could work together for Gorkhaland. GNLF that spearheaded the 28-month-long violent movement for separation from Bengal from 1986 to 1988 has asked the GJM to unilaterally withdraw itself from the tripartite GTA Accord signed on July 18, 2011.

“The GTA is a stumbling block to Gorkhaland. GJM’s unilateral withdrawal from the GTA Accord is a pre-requisite before we could join the hands with the GJM for a prolonged movement,” GNLF spokesperson Niraj Zimba told HT. He also hinted that unless GJM walks out of the GTA Accord, GNLF will not be a part of the movement.

GNLF also wants that all the three GJM MLAs should resign from the Bengal assembly, and all municipal councillors of the Morcha should resign too.

Zimba said, “GNLF has no problem in accepting Gurung as the leader of the joint movement provided he accepts our five conditions.”
Incidentally, Bimal Gurung has said frequently that they will resign from GTA as “the state government did not allow the GTA to function in true spirit of GTA Accord.”

In 2013 there was an attempt to work out a collective movement to spearhead the movement for Gorkhaland. But the exercise did not take off as Gurung allegedly failed to agree on ‘common minimum programme’ suggested by other parties.

Rajen Mukhia, Trinamool leader in the hills alleged that GJM supporters are threatening TMC supporters. On Gurung’s claim that Takvar area has become TMC free, Mukhia reamrked, “Those who joined GJM from TMC did so because they were threatened by Gurung and his men.”

For increased monitoring of GTA, the state government on Wednesday created a new post of executive director appointed Deepap Priya, an IAS who is also known to be close to the chief minister. C Murugan was appointed as the GTA’s full- time secretary.

[Via: Hindustan Times]

#Darjeeling Region Shut Down Completely - Bandh Peaceful

The 12 hour strike called by GJM to protest against the alleged "high handedness of administration" is being observed across the hills and Terai peacefully.
Reports confirm that both the Kalimpong and Darjeeling districts are observing complete shut down.
Please maintain peace and HELP THE TOURISTS... welcome them to your homes if needed..

HILL TMC SAYS NO TO COMPULSORY BENGALI

-To speak to Mamata Banerjee in Mirik
DARJEELING, 1 Jun 2017: With the opposition to implementing Bengali being spearheaded by Gorkha Janmukti Morcha gaining momentum, the TMC (hills) today said it had spoken to party high commands in Kolkata to not make it mandatory in the hill schools.
The hill TMC leaders finding themselves in an awkward situation given the sentiments attached with the issue organized a public meeting in Darjeeling town today to clear the air. ““Yesterday, I spoke with Partha Chatterjee, the state education minister to know more about the issue and also apprise him about our stand. I told him that the state government should allow the present system under the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration to continue. Bengali as an option is okay but we will not accept if it is made compulsory,” asserted Rajen Mukhia, the hill TMC president, today.
The local TMC leaders did not find anything amiss to have Bengali as an optional language in the hill schools saying it was important to learn new languages. “We (TMC hill leaders) are also sons of the so and Gorkhas. Knowing Bengali will stand us in good stead as the language is most spoken in the plains where we often visit. However, we too will not accept if Bengali is made compulsory on us,” reiterated Mukhia.
Schools and colleges remained closed today in the hills. The GJM has asked educational institutions to close for two days on June 1 and 2, in protest against the alleged imposition of Bengali in the region’s schools.
Mukhia though alleged GJM was politicizing the issue by spreading false rumours. “GJM is playing with the sentiments of the people for political gains. No government orders or circulars have been issued so far. I want to tell the heads of schools here that the rumours are false. We will take up the matter with chief minister Mamata Banerjee when she visits Mirik on June 5,” the hill TMC president said.
When asked to comment on the GJM rallies from June 4 to 8 during the Bengal CM’s visit to the region, the hill TMC president said, “We have come to know that they (GJM) will show black flags to the chief minister. We want to say here that she (Banerjee) besides being the state’s CM is also our leader. If she is shown black flags than we too will reciprocate it on their party president (Bimal Gurung ) during his programs,” Mukhia retorted.
The Gorkha Janmukti Vidhyarthi Morcha (GJVM) termed today’s closure of educational institutions, spontaneous and thanked the heads of schools for extending support to the protest against the state government.
“All the educational institutions of the hills remained closed today in protest. We want to thank the heads of schools, teachers and students and the parents for supporting the cause. We hope to see similar situation on Friday. We will not allow imposition of Bengali language in the hills,” said Vaskar Rai, the GJVM vice president.
Although, schools and colleges remained closed, normal life and vehicular movement and the tourism sector however were not affected.
[Via: Echo of India][File photo] 

Why is Mirik Result Important for us?

Writes: Bicky Sharma

17th of this month marked an important day for us. The results of the municipality elections were declared on the day. It was the day that the choice and the preference of the people were to be known. There were a lot of speculations in the air about the results, everyone having their own prediction.

The results however took everyone by surprise. Of all the municipalities, the ones that came up with surprising results were Kalimpong and Mirik. The Kalimpong results were as expected, but the scale of victory (of GJM) was magnanimous. On the other hand, Mirik results were also somewhat that most of us have had somewhere expected, but we however had a hope that TMC would not see a victory among our people.

Everyone, since the results, have had their own share of opinion about the results and for most of them in Darjeeling, the result of Mirik was “disappointing”. Every other person has something harsh to say and Mirik today as they say is a traitor.
Well, I say that the TMC victory in Mirik is important for us and there are strong reasons why I think so.

First of all, voting for one’s preference is no treason. A voter has his share of right to decide who he thinks should lead him and he should be the one to reap the fruits of his choice which would bear good governance and also he should be the one to bear the consequences if in case he has had been persuaded to make a wrong decision. That is the beauty of democracy.

The TMC victory in Mirik can be taken as a very strong indicator of the position where all the political parties stand and has exposed the vulnerability that the hills politics is prone to. It is the first time since ages that a non hill party could secure a victory in any of the polls in Darjeeling. It should lesser indicate the strength of the winning party; rather it should more account for the weakness of our regional parties and also our people.
In fact, it is better that we lost a municipality in time than for reaching to the saturation point and losing all our seats in a major election. Perhaps all our regional parties can account for their mistakes and learn from this loss. It gives everyone a reason to think. It brings before us the fact that no party now can take the people lightly and still hope to win. This election has given the hills an opposition and now there is no taking for granted. It is time that all the political parties perform or perish.

The election saw a lot of gimmicks. While GJM was concentrating more on Darjeeling and Kalimpong, TMC was building its root at Mirik. The CM’s visit followed by the promise of land rights might have been persuading to the people. As most of us know, the promise of land rights is as good as the promise of changing Darjeeling to Switzerland, but then that doesn’t matter. The promise lead them to a victory. Actually, the baseless promise wasn’t the only factor for their victory, the main factor was that the other parties did not care enough to stand and say that it is a false promise. The votes were fed on hopes and what else would a poor man need than hope.

Whatever the situation be now, the promise has given them the municipality and that isn’t changing for the next municipality elections, even if the land rights are granted or not.

We had 3 main parties contesting the elections - GJM, GNLF and TMC. GNLF was in alliance with TMC. So GJM was contesting against the alliance of GNLF and TMC. GJM was evidently under performing in Mirik and they had no proper propaganda to tackle the land rights promise. The only thing GJM had intact in Mirik was their political heritage and name.
Now, it is the litmus test for all the parties and also the people of Mirik. First of all, GNLF as a party should decide on their stance with TMC. They are to decide if their dependence on TMC is rather helping them to build up or on contrary threatening their existence in the long run of politics. A personal thought is that GNLF could rather preserve and expand their dignity instead of allying with TMC. What we see now is that GNLF has already started getting a sour feeling towards TMC.

GJM as a party should also start performing to mitigate the effects of its mistakes. They should learn and understand where they lack, and start working for the same. If they can regain the municipality back or not should now depend on their work and not their name.

However, most important of all is that now we should see one of our municipalities run by an outside party. We should now witness if they have the morality to stand by their promise. We should now for ourselves witness how it should be to be governed by an outside party. What it is like to be a part of the decisions that can hurt us – the most recent example being of the inclusion of Bengali as a language in all the schools.
At the end of the day, I see the Mirik result to be important for us. It serves as an indicator to all the political parties and the people.

[File Pic]