Morcha to greet Mamata on hill trip

Vivek Chhetri, TT, Feb 04, 2018, Darjeeling: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, headed by Binay Tamang, has decided to welcome chief minister Mamata Banerjee, right from Sukna to Darjeeling when she visits the hills on Tuesday for the first time in more than eight months.

Binay Tamang, in a written statement, has said: "The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha has decided to accord a warm welcome to chief minister Mamata Banerjee when she comes up to the hills on February 6."

The Morcha will accord a reception to chief minister at more than 15 places, starting from Sukna till Gorkha Rangamanch Bhavan in Darjeeling. Mamata Banerjee stays at Richmond Hill during her visit to Darjeeling.

"She will be leaving Sukna around 1pm on Tuesday and our supporters are to be ready to welcome her keeping the travelling time in mind," said Tamang.

At Rohini, the chief minister, in the presence of Tamang, will re-christen Rohini Road after GNLF founder Subash Ghisingh.

Tamang has urged his supporters to welcome the chief minister with khadas and asked them to be present with Morcha flags. "We appeal to our supporters to welcome the chief minister with khadas. We also appeal to our supporters to carry our party flag and not raise any slogans."

The Morcha president has also asked the supporters to remain alert. "Those who are not with the Morcha might try to derail our program on that day. I appeal to our supporters to remain alert and if they find any such elements, we request them to click their photographs and hand them over to police," appealed Tamang.

Mamata will be attending the prize distribution ceremony of Himal-Terai-Dooars Sports Festival, which had been organised by police department of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri districts and Siliguri Police Commissionerate.

"She will also be distributing appointment letters for special civic volunteers at the Chowrasta event," said a source.

On February 8, chief minister will also be convening an all party meeting in Darjeeling, said Tamang. Meanwhile, the Gorkha Janmukti Yuva Morcha has decided to organise a public meeting in Darjeeling on February 25. The event is being touted as a show of strength of the youth front and comes after the GNLF rally on January 28 had pulled in an impressive crowd.