HB Chettri reacts to central nod to Telengana

EOI, KALIMPONG, 30 July 2013: With the centre today approving the formation of Telangana, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha spokesperson Dr. Harka Bahadur Chettri has said sacrificing the Gorkha Territorial Administration and resignation of the Hills legislators is necessary for the formation of a new state here. 

Addressing the press today, he said, “The last chapters are never written first. The last chapter always comes last,” adding the state government would be more shaken up with the resignation of the MLAs than by the sacrifice of the GTA. Chettri said the real agitation for statehood has started with the 72-hour strike. 

He said the GTA was an instrument for developing the Hills and since it was found worthless, the GJM is ready to boycott it. The spokesman said the party would put forward enough reasons to cite the failure of the GTA. He further said ministers at the centre had assured the GJM that Telengana was still far away from serious discussions and accused the centre of cheating the Hills people. 

“The centre has cheated us. If our demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland is overlooked while approving Telengana, we will strongly oppose the move,” warned Chettri. The Kalimpong MLA also warned the GJM to be ready for violent suppression by the state government and the deployment of central forces by New Delhi. 

He appealed to supporters to follow a peaceful agitation for the Gorkhaland demand. Chettri added all parties in the Hills should come forward and support the GJM for the creation of a Gorkhaland state and shed past bitterness and rivalry.