Deep Gazmer, TNN, TOI, 4 Dec DARJEELING: A path for solving the crisis in the Hills has been identified, according to interlocutor Lt-Gen (retd) Vijay Madan, who met Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leaders in Darjeeling on Thursday. The GJM leaders, on their part, assured the Centre and the state government that no disturbance would occur in the run-up to the December 21 tripartite meeting.
At the end of a 90-minute-long meeting at Mayfair Hotel, attended by GJM chief Bimal Gurung, general secretary Roshan Giri and party central committee leaders Amar Lama and L B Pariyar, Madan said talks on the demand for Gorkhaland have been fruitful.
"We are trying to find out steps for a way forward towards an acceptable solution. We are on some sort of a path now. An issue like this one can't be solved overnight and hopefully we will have a roadmap by the time the tripartite meeting is held on December 21," said Madan.
GJM leaders, too, expressed satisfaction with the talks. They would write to the Union home ministry, assuring it of peace in the Hills, they said. "We will maintain peace in the Hills and provide our cooperation in maintaining an environment conducive to talks," said Gurung after the meeting. The possibility of including Siliguri on the proposed Gorkhaland map was also discussed at the meeting, said Giri. Madan, on the other hand, said the Union government had no apprehension about disturbances in the Hills. "There is no fear of any trouble. It is the media that has been speculating about a possible flare-up. After this meeting, that should now be laid to rest," said Madan.
On his role in the tripartite talks, the interlocutor said he would be a facilitator. "My job is to highlight the points on which the three sides have a consensus. It will also be my responsibility to help the parties reach an agreement on the contentious issues," he added.
Madan visited the Dooars on Wednesday and met members of the local communities. "I met the tribals and Gorkhas. I wanted to survey their socio-economic conditions in person. The interaction was quite enlightening and I would include my observations in my report to the Union government." Madan added that he was open to discussions with other parties as well, but none had approached him so far.
This is Madan's second visit to the Hills in the last two months. He had visited Darjeeling on November 2 to meet GJM leaders. He will leave for Delhi on Friday.
Interlocutor ‘respects’ leader Gurung
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TT, Darjeeling, Dec. 3: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha president Bimal Gurung said today that “a congenial atmosphere” with “no law and order problem” would prevail till the fourth round of tripartite talks are held here on December 21.
The announcement is seen as a signal of suspension of further agitation till the talks.
Gurung, while emerging from a one-and-a-half-hour long meeting with Lieutenant-General (retired) Vijay Madan, the government appointed interlocutor for the talks, said: “We have assured him (Madan) that a congenial atmosphere will be maintained and there will be no law and order problem till the tripartite meeting. The talks are being held in Darjeeling and it is our duty to maintain such an atmosphere.” The interlocutor, on his part, said Gurung’s message would be conveyed to the Union home ministry.
However, the ongoing non-co-operation movements against the state like non-payment of electricity and telephone bills, motor vehicle and land taxes along with the “ban” on sale of liquor is likely to continue.
The Morcha chief, along with party general secretary Roshan Giri, central committee member Amar Lama and member of a study forum L.B. Pariyar met Madan at 5pm at a local hotel.
Speaking about the meeting, Giri said: “We discussed nothing except Gorkhaland and told him (Madan) that our proposed territory includes Siliguri and the Dooars.”
Madan seemed happy with Gurung’s announcement. “It was expected, as I consider Mr Gurung to be a responsible leader. There can be differences in opinion but I have much respect for him,” said Madan.
The interlocutor answered in the negative when asked whether there were any apprehension among the state and central government officials on holding the meeting in Darjeeling.
“The problem cannot be solved in one night. We will try and have to work out a future path on whatever the demand (is),” said Madan without elaborating.
Asked if the interlocutor would be meeting other political parties in the Darjeeling hills and also those opposing the statehood demand in the plains, the former army officer said: “So far no one has approached me. I will definitely be meeting those who want to meet me.”
Madan said he had visited Bagrakote on his way to Darjeeling last evening to see the ground reality for himself. Bagrakote, 50km from Siliguri, is in the Dooars, which the Morcha wants as part of Gorkhaland. “I wanted to see how people live there and in what condition. I met people from all communities and the visit was solely to assess the economic condition of the area,” said Madan.
The interlocutor will be leaving for Delhi tomorrow, where he will hand over a report to the home ministry. He had last visited Darjeeling on November 2. Madan had met chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and the chief and home secretaries on November 30 in Calcutta. The next day he had called on governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi.
SNS, KURSEONG, 3 DEC: The GJMM leadership met the Central government appointed interlocutor, Mr Vijay Madan, in Darjeeling this evening. “The GJMM has emphasized on the demand of a separate state, Gorkhaland. We have also assured him of peace in the hills during the tripartite talks,” the GJMM chief, Mr Bimal Gurung, told reporters after the meeting. Talking to the reporters, Mr Madan said that he would convey the GJMM's message to the Centre.
Terai bandh off till 5 December
SNS, SILIGURI 3 DEC: At the end of day one of a four-day long shutdown in the Terai, the GNLF-backed Gorkha Janjati Manyata Samaraho Samity has temporarily suspended the bandh until 5 December morning, but with a rider.
The shutdown that commenced at 6 am this morning, was convened against the administration's denial to grant permission for a cultural convention at Panighata in Kurseong sub-division, which was slated to take place from 4 to 6 December. While the shutdown evoked a total response at Panighatta, localities such as Chenga, Nepania and Belgachi were also affected partially. There were no bandh related trouble reported from any of the localities, even as senior police officials like the ASP Darjeeling (HQ) Mr Akhilesh Chaturvedi and the ASP Siliguri Mr Gaurav Sharma were at Panighata through the day, to monitor the situation. “The bandh has been spontaneous through the day and yet, we are suspending the agitation temporarily, to allow the administration take a re-look on the issue. “In fact, we have now proposed the Kurseong SDO to allow us hold the convention at least for one day, that is, on 6 December. But if the authorities still do not budge, the strike would resume again from 5 December morning and may continue for an indefinite period,” said the Samaraho Samity secretary, Mr Tikka Khati. Mr Khati also alleged that the GJMM today tried to provoke commotion at Panighata by brining in supporters from Sourini and Mirik. “But the presence of police saved the situation,” he said. Acknowledging receipt of the fresh proposal, the ASP Darjeeling (HQ) Mr Chaturvedi said that the same has been forwarded to the Kurseong SDO for consideration. “As of now, the situation at Panighata and the adjacent areas is normal. But the GJMM activists are now threatening a counter-shutdown, in case the GNLF backed body is allowed to hold the convention,” the ASP said.
Morcha promises peace till talks 1-day bandh & threat of more
Siliguri, Dec. 3: Vehicles stayed off the roads while shops and establishments remained shut at Panighata, Nepania and Belgachi as GNLF supporters observed a general strike to protest the refusal by the administration to give permission to convene a three-day event under the banner of Gorkha Janjati Manyata Samaroh Samiti.
Schools and tea estates were, however, open in all three areas located in the Mirik block of Kurseong subdivision.
“We do not want to disrupt activities in tea estates and the ongoing exams in schools. The response was spontaneous as we appealed to people as representatives of the Samiti and highlighted the issue for which we were striking,” a GNLF leader said.
Policemen were deployed in the locality but no untoward incident was reported.
The Samiti, a frontal organisation of the GNLF which has been formed to renew the political activities of Subash Ghisingh’s party, is raising the issue of conferring Scheduled Tribe status on all Gorkhas.
“We were thrice refused permission. It was undemocratic and thus we resorted to today’s strike,” said Rajen Mukhia, president of the Samiti and a GNLF leader from Panighata. “Officials of the administration met us today and said they are looking into the issue. However, nothing positive has emerged so far and we are awaiting permission. If we get it by tomorrow, it is fine. Otherwise, we will resort to an indefinite strike from Saturday.”
In Panighata, located around 35km from here, senior police and civil officials assembled at the local police outpost for a meeting.
“Among them were the additional superintendent of police of Darjeeling and a deputy magistrate representing the subdivisional officer of Kurseong. Some of us were there as well but no decision could be reached,” said Tika Khati, the secretary of the committee and a GNLF leader.
The prevailing tension, sources said, probably prompted the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha to postpone a football tournament reportedly endorsed by it and scheduled from December 1 at Panighata. The tournament will now be played from December 8.
“On December 1, no match was played and later, we came to know that the Morcha leadership has decided to postpone the sports event for a week to maintain peace in the locality,” a resident of the area said.
Officials at the district administration said it was unlikely that the Samiti would be permitted to convene the event.
“We are yet to get the nod from district police. Otherwise, it is not possible for the civil administration to permit as police arrangements are necessary to upkeep law and order,” said Surendra Gupta, the district magistrate of Darjeeling.
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