New party in hills

Vivek Chhetri, TT, Darjeeling, Oct. 5: The Gorkha Janakalyan Mancha, a new political party espousing the cause of Gorkhaland, was launched in Darjeeling today.

Krishna Chhetri, who was the vice-president of the ABGL, the oldest party in the hills, has been made the president of the new outfit.

"Our party will espouse the cause of Gorkhaland. We believe that Gorkhaland is needed for the political security of the Gorkhas in the country. Our aim is to make our outfit a pan-India political party of the Gorkhas," said Chhetri.

Apart from the statehood, the Mancha will also seek land rights for tea and cinchona plantation workers and a separate university for the hills.

Singtom protest

Workers of Singtom Tea Estate near Darjeeling demonstrated in the garden on Wednesday, demanding disbursal of bonus at one go. Management has agreed to pay the bonus at 19 per cent but in two instalments.