Fresh Gorkhaland stir looms

Saibal Gupta | TNN | Dec 26, 2015, KOLKATA: Information from the intelligence agencies hint at the fact that Gorkha Janamukti Morcha is gradually gearing for fresh movements in the hills.

"We have approached Prime Minister Narendra Modi and he has given a patient hearing to our problem. Though he has been non-committal on the issue but we will wait for some time. If we don't get a positive reply then we will do our movement in our own way ," GJM spokesperson Roshan Giri told TOI over phone.When asked about the nature of the movement, Giri said, "That we cannot disclose right now. It will be decided by our leadership."

Giri's version comes at a time when the intelligence agencies warned both the state and the central government that Morcha is gearing up for a fresh and renewed movement in the hills.

After two vital leaders, Harka Bahadur Chetri and Tilok Dewan left from Kalimpong, GJM has lost a portion of their support base in this newly formed district. That apart, the formation of new districts has created a strong divide among the Lepchas and the Tamangs with the Gorkhas. Political observers believe that this will help Trinamool congress to make a dent into the hill vote bank.

Political observers believe that by creating Gorkha Territorial Administration, Mamata Banerjee has robbed off the Gorkhaland demand from Bimal Gurng and his team.