GNLF plans rally in November

SNS, SILIGURI: The Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) is set to organise a public rally in Darjeeling in November and inform people of its stand on the Gorkhaland demand and a permanent political solution for Darjeeling Hills in league with the West Bengal government.

The decision was taken in the last central committee meeting of the party, leaders have said.

According to party sources, GNLF leaders, who attended the meeting called by CM Mamata Banerjee at Nabanna on 16 October, apprised the central committee members of what transpired in the meeting, and adopted the resolutions, including holding a rally in Darjeeling in November.

Central committee leaders also endorsed a decision to ready a draft proposal, in consultation with legal experts, for a permanent political solution of the Hills, comprising Kalimpong and Darjeeling districts.

GNLF leaders have also agreed to table their proposal to the CM , when she would hold the Fourth meeting on the Hill affairs at Pintail Village in Siliguri on 21 November.

Asked to comment, GNLF general secretary Mahendra Chhetri said: "People should know the reasons behind the ongoing bipartite meetings with the state government. No political party has publicly explained the reasons behind them and why the GNLF president Mann Ghisingh had approached the chief minister and urged her to call an all-political party meeting on the issue.'

"Party president Mann Ghisingh had taken such a decision after the Union home minister Rajnath Singh asked members of the Gorkhaland Movement Coordination Committee (GMCC) to approach the state government," said Mr Chhetri.

"We would inform the people of our party's stand, keeping on record the demand for - Gorkhaland and a permanent political solution for the Hills."

"We Could also inform the people that chief minister Mamata Banerjee has asked the GNLF to table a proposal for a permanent political solution in the next meeting to be held at Pintail Village on 21 November," he said, adding that they have already started drafting the proposal in consultation with legal experts.

The date for rally is, however, yet to be finalised, he said.