After raid at office, Morcha demands for tripartite talks

Amitava Banerjee | MP | 2017-06-15  |  Darjeeling: Following sporadic violence that erupted in the Hills on Thursday, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha adopting a more mellowed stance demanding that the parties concerned should immediately hold dialogues to diffuse the situation in Darjeeling. They even demanded an all party meeting at the national level to review the Hill situation and come out with a solution to the impasse.

Talking to mediapersons in Darjeeling, Morcha leader Swaraj Thapa stated: "The police action at the party office was unwarranted and excess. It has caused concern and anguish. It has created an atmosphere of insecurity and fear in the Darjeeling Hills. The whole exercise was aimed at undermining the democratic movement for Gorkhaland. People are agitated. We feel the need of the hour is to step back. A dialogue should emerge between the state, Centre and GJM to look into the demand of a separate state. Some kind of mechanism has to be worked out. An all party meeting at the national level to discuss the crisis will do good to all."

The Morcha demanded that the Centre should immediately send a central team to make an assessment of the situation which should be made public.

Regarding the indefinite strike called by the Morcha, Thapa stated: "It was an impromptu strike. It is the responsibility of the government to diffuse the situation."

Regarding the recovery of bows, arrows and other things from the party office, Thapa claimed that they were for students of the Kanchenjunga Academy for an archery competition. "Other than that, there were farming tools. The Gorkhas are allowed to keep Khukuris. All this is to undermine the democratic nature of the agitation. They are trying to paint a picture of an unconstitutional movement by doing all this," claimed Thapa.

Meanwhile, Gurung sent a video message to the media from an undisclosed location following the raids. In the video message, he appealed to the Hills to remain united and raise voice of protest against the high-handedness of the police and administration.

"The security forces are trying to unleash a reign of terror on the instruction of CM Mamata Banerjee. The TMC supporters are hand in glove with the police. How can they vandalise my residence and torch my vehicles? I, as the GTA Chief, am of the rank of a Cabinet minister. Our one point agenda is Gorkhaland and we will continue with our struggle till our goal is achieved," stated Gurung.

Reacting to the day's incidents, Goutam Deb, Tourism minister stated: "It is very unfortunate that an elected head has such things stashed. Law will take its own course. No one is above law."