Darjeeling stir: GNLF makes presence felt, holds emergency meeting

MP | 2 July 2017 | Darjeeling: The Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) is steadily making its presence felt in Hill politics with many including the TMC leaders and supporters joining its fold. The party held an emergency central committee meeting in Darjeeling on Sunday to review the present political scenario and chalk out future programmes. 

"We have decided to form a nine-member core committee to be headed by GNLF president Mann Ghising. The core committee will have representations from the GNLF frontal organisations also," stated Neeraj Zimba, spokesperson. 

Martyrs' Day which falls on July 27 will be observed by the GNLF in Darjeeling. "A mammoth rally will be taken out in Darjeeling. Mann Ghising will address it," added Zimba. The GNLF has condemned the spurt of violence, arson and vandalism that was unleashed in the Hills recently. 

"We condemn all forms of violence. GNLF in the 1980s had spearheaded a 28-month-long violent agitation for Gorkhaland. The then president Subash Ghising had brought the agitation to a grinding halt and instead had preferred to walk the non-violent path. We adhere to non-violence and democratic means. We believe in dialogue and discussions," stated the GNLF spokesperson. 

Zimba alleged that the violence is the handiwork of miscreants in an attempt to derail the Gorkhaland agitation. "The police have got to take against such miscreants immediately," demanded Zimba. 

Former GNLF MLA N B Chettri along with Zimba have been nominated to represent the GNLF party in the Gorkhaland Movement Coordination Committee. 

When questioned on the GNLF's stand regarding the ongoing indefinite bandh call by the GJM since June 15, Zimba stated: "We are the party who hold the record of a 40 -day-long bandh. Bandh is our only weapon. It is a people's movement now and no more a movement of any political party. People want the bandh to continue. We cannot go against their wishes," stated Zimba. 

J B Tamang, president of the Darjeeling Hill TMC trade union on Sunday sided with the GNLF. "

I have joined GNLF for Gorkhaland. I appeal to all INTTUC supporters of the Hill tea gardens to resign and join the GNLF," stated Tamang. 

Meanwhile, a vehicle was vandalised in Kurseong and another torched in the wee hours of Sunday. On Saturday night, alleged GJM supporters attacked a fire brigade station in Kurseong and set three fire engines on fire.
(Source & Courtesy: http://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/kolkata-250327)