GJM, GNLF observe Shahid Diwas separately

EOI, Kurseong, 27 Juky 2014: Shahid Diwas or Martyrs’ Day was today observed in different places of Kurseong region as it was across the Darjeeling hills.

The GJM and GTA representatives, under the banner of the Shahid Diwas Samaroha Committee, observed Martyrs’ Day at Eagle’s Crag here, where a large number of party supporters and its activists including family members of those killed in 1986 and more recently were present. Kurseong Municipality chairman Samirdeep Blon paid homage by lighting lamps and offering flowers at the Shahid Bedi.

A programme was also organised by the committee at the GDNS Hall to pay their respects to the martyrs and theirfamily members. The chief guest of the programme was Dr. Rohit Sharma, MLA, Kurseong Constituency.

“We have not given up our fight for Gorkhaland and will certainly attain statehood one day to honour the sacrifices of the martyrs,” he said.

At the same time, the GNLF also observed Shahid Diwas at Longview Tea Estate. It was learnt that hundreds of GNLF supporters from many part of the hills had gathered at the tea estate under the leadership of the GNLF Kurseong branch president Nima Lama.

On July 27, 1986, a large numbers of statehood agitators were killed in CRPF firing during a rally in Kalimpong that sparked the inferno of the Gorkhaland agitation led by Subash Ghisingh, which stretched for more than two years. During the period from 1986 to 1988, as many as 1,200 people are expected to have been killed. Finally, a truce of sorts was signed in 1988 between the central and state governments and the GNLF leading to the formation of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council. Since then, July 27 has been observed each year in the hills as Shahid Diwas and it is a holiday.

EOI, Kalimpong: Various political parties today observed Shahid Diwas in their own way across Kalimpong. The GJM marked the day by holding a memorial programme at Shahid Park in 11-Mile, the GNLF organised a programme at Tricone Park, while the CPRM held a memorial service at the party office premises in Saghobato.

At Shahid Park, the GJM area leaders and supporters offered khadas to Shahid Memorial in the park, paying respect to the martyrs of the statehood demand agitations since the 1980s. The function was attended by the GJM Spokesperson and Kalimpong MLA Dr. Harka Bahadur Chettri, party’s Kalimpong unit general secretary Kumar Chamling, convener Norden Lama and central committee member Bijay Sundas among others. The party also felicitated the family members of the statehood martyrs. The leaders while addressing the function stressed that fighting for statehood demand and delivering it would be the greatest way to honor the sacrifices made by the martyrs. 

Similarly, the GNLF also observed the Shahid Diwas after a gap of many years at Tricone Park, where large numberof party leaders and supports enthusiastically took part in the function. The party supporters sang Gorkali patriotic songs and paid respect to the martyrs by offering khadas at the Shahid memorial in the park. The GNFL Kalimpong committee president Maurice Kalikotay said July 27 is a day to honor the sacrifices made by the Gorkha people for their birthright. “Therefore, we should never forget the contribution made by the martyrs for Gorkhaland and the Gorkha identity. The DGHC was also formed due to the sacrifices made by these martyrs and should be reinstated again,” he added.

Meanwhile, the CPRM also observed Shahid Diwas by paying respect to the martyrs by offering flowers and khadas. The programme held at the party office in Saghobato was attended by the CPRM central committee vice-president JB Rai, the CPRM president Arun Ghatani, Kalimpong committee president Kishior Pradhan and general secretary Mohan Poudyal among others. JB Rai said the debt that has been left behind by the sacrifices made by the martyrs can only be repaid by the formation of Gorkhaland. Stating the demand for Gorkhaland is constitutional, he called on the Gorkha people to work honestly towards achieving demand through organised and well coordinated movement.