GNLF unhappy with CM’s proposed office in hills

EOI, Kurseong, 5 September : The Gorkha National Liberation Front has expressed its reservations over the recent announcement by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of establishing a chief minister’s office in the Darjeeling hills. The party contends that such unacceptable things are occurring due to the existence of an unconstitutional body such as the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration as well as the lack of seriousness among the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leadership towards the aspirations of the Gorkha community.

GNLF Kurseong branch committee spokesperson Daya Dewan said so this afternoon while interacting with reporters, adding the poor leadership of the GJM is encouraging the state government to rapidly expand its grip and authority over the Darjeeling hills. According to Dewan, when the GNLF was in power and was running the constitutionally recognised Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council, the state government’s influence in the hills was limited and it did not dare interfere in the affairs of the DGHC. But now, the state government has crossed its limits and is busy spreading its influence and political grip throughout the hills using various clandestine methods. The state government has not only entered the living room in the hills, but is lording over the kitchen as well, asserted Dewan.

He further said this is the very reason why the GNLF has been demanding for the reinstatement of the constitutionally guaranteed DGHC and the Sixth Schedule status for the Darjeeling hills to ensure the state government has no authority whatsoever to interfere regarding the administration of the hills.