Committee could rekindle movement

Debasis Bhowmik, EOI, Siliguri, 28 Feb 2014: With the central home ministry setting up a special committee to review the feasibility of a separate state of Boroland by dividing Assam, political observers here feel the move could rekindle the separate statehood movement in the Darjeeling hills. Gorkha Janamukti Morcha secretary general Roshan Giri’s ongoing tour to Delhi has further cemented this apprehension.

Giri is reportedly trying to initiate talks with BJP and Congress leaders although GJM spokesperson Harka Bahadur Chettri dismissed the speculation saying the party does not want to get involved in any controversy related to the statehood demand at the moment.

Meanwhile, North Bengal Development minister Gautam Deb condemned the Centre’s decision of forming the committee on Bodoland. Terming it ‘risky’ and provocative, Deb asserted the UPA government’s chances of retaining power are almost negligible.

District CPM secretary Jibesh Sarkar also expressed a similar opinion. He said the hasty decision by the central government is likely to create disturbances across the nation in days to come. Even if the proposal for a committee is yet to be finalised, observers pointed out its formation could lead to economic instability besides political unrest in North Bengal.

Several refugees from Assam had immigrated to North Bengal in 2012 in the wake of the communal riots that took place in the regions under the Bodoland Territorial Administration. The immigrant Assamese permanently settled here thereafter. Fresh tension is brewing across the BTA areas with news of the proposed committee. If disturbances were to recur there, North Bengal would be severely affected, noted the observers.