GJM floats 6th Schedule conspiracy theory.. state appointed GTA administrator

MP. 4 July 2017, Darjeeling: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) on Tuesday floated the 6th Schedule conspiracy theory, alleging that the State is hand-in-glove with the GNLF and is trying to accord the 6th Schedule status to Darjeeling and Kalimpong.

In another important development, senior IAS officer Barun Roy has been appointed the administrator of GTA. He was earlier the Commissioner, Jalpaiguri Division. All the GTA members have tendered their resignation on June 23.

GJM's statement is set to cause a dent in the joint movement for Gorkhaland especially in the GJM-GNLF relationship. GJM president Bimal Gurung, in a press conference, stated: "There is a conspiracy to accord the 6th Schedule status to Darjeeling. We will not lift the ongoing indefinite bandh even if the Gorkhaland Movement Coordination Committee decides to lift it in the scheduled meeting on July 6. We will further intensify our movement and will now shut down the hydel projects that are functional at present."

This comes as a major damper to the GLMCC meeting slated for July 6 as there were speculations that the meeting would bring respite from the indefinite bandh.

The Centre wants to hold talks with us but we have apprised them that talks can be held over the issue of Gorkhaland only," claimed Gurung.

The latter has written to Union Home minister Rajnath Singh demanding a CBI inquiry into the alleged police firing on June 17 in Singamari near Darjeeling in which three GJM activists died.

Adding to this, Binita Roka, GJM spokesperson alleged that the GNLF is hand-in-glove with the state government in the 6th Schedule conspiracy.

"The GNLF and the state government are trying to get the 6th Schedule through. The GNLF have to make their stand clear before the Coordination Committee meeting on July 6," demanded Roka. Reacting to these allegations, GNLF spokesperson Neeraj Zimba stated: "It is very unfortunate that such allegations are being made against us. We have come out for Gorkhaland. 6th Schedule demand is no more relevant. It was relevant when Subash Ghising had raised the demand in 2005. However, the delay by the state and Centre in implementing it then made it redundant. It is very unfortunate that the GJM is issuing such unilateral statements despite having agreed to a joint movement to be spearheaded by the GLMCC."

Incidentally in 2013, a conglomeration had been formed for a joint movement for Gorkhaland. The joint movement then too had fizzled out with the GJM allegedly going at it alone despite being a part of the conglomeration. The indefinite bandh clamped by the GJM hit the 20-day mark with rallies taking to the streets in the Hills.

Internet services remained suspended for the 17th consecutive day as Darjeeling extended the ban on it. Except pharmacies all the other shops, restaurants, hotels, schools and colleges remained closed.