Morcha for expanding statehood stir despite state’s repressive strategy

SNS, Siliguri, 14 August 2013: The administration appears worried, with the GJMM ~ bolstered by its recent rural poll performance ~ seemingly bent on expanding the theatre of their statehood warfare down in the plains, particularly the multi-ethnic Dooars, in Jalpaiguri district. 

Police have decided to act tough with the GJMM leaders in the Hills if they venture to breach peace in this politically sensitive region on the issue of statehood. 

In order to nip in the bud a movement to take the statehood heat down in the plains, police have already arrested a senior GJMM leader, Mr Ashok Lama. He was later remanded in jail custody. 

More such arrests are on the cards if police are to be believed. The region has witnessed inter-ethnic tension and even clashes over the GJMM and its ally, the JMM having been stirred into a movement demanding lands from the region to be included in the geographical contours of the GTA. 

Arson marked the movement as several shops belonging to a particular community were set ablaze at Nargataka late last year. “We are keeping a close tab on the developing situation in the Darjeeling Hills as well as in the plains. We will take strict action if the situation so warrants,” said the Inspector General of Police, North Bengal, Mr Shashikant Pujari. 

“Over 200 persons, including several GJMM leaders, have been arrested so far from the Hills,” Mr Pujari said. 

On the other hand, GJMM leaders based in the Dooars claimed that the state government and police had unleashed terror. A GJMM leader, Mr Arpan Chamling, said: “They are stopping us from carrying on with the democratic movement for Gorkhaland. Candle light rallies are being stopped. However, we will continue with our movement on democratic lines, unperturbed by the state government acting in an authoritarian manner.” 

Police are doubly worried as those championing the cause of a separate Kamtapur and Greater Cooch Behar states are being re-grouped to raise pitch for their respective movements. 

“This is an ominous trend, given the violence-tarred chapters of the movement that began in 2004-05,” said a senior police official.