Panel prepares 2nd 'Gorkhaland vision' paper

SNS, Darjeeling 16 September 2018: The National Gorkhaland Committee (NGC), a group consisting of eminent Gorkha people spread across the country and working for the statehood demand, today said it will release its 'second vision document' in November this year, which will consist of the structure and profile of what there should be in the "state of Gorkhaland."

The NGC had on 21 April released its 'first vision document' which covered different issues, including national identity of the Gorkhas and the need for a small state like Gorkhaland, and a road map for the statehood demand

"We held a two-day programme at Gymkhana here, while we also held an internal meeting yesterday followed by an interaction with various political parties here. We have made a document, in which we have kept things like the proposed area of Gorkhaland, structure and profile, along with the administrative and legislative structure it should have, Other things like the assembly seat, blocks and districts it should have is also covered in it, which was discussed with representatives of political parties present here," the NGC secretary Munish Tarnang said.

According to the NGC, representativcs of political out-fits like the All India Gorkha League, Gorkha National Liberation Front, Jan Andolan Party, Gorrhka Jan Mukti Morcha, Darjeeling-Sikkim Ekikaran Manch, Congress (Hills) and social organizations attended the meeting. 

"We want to sharpen this document further for which we are taking opinions from different stakeholders. We will be sending a draft to them by the end of this month and within a week or so they can give their views before we release it finally. A meeting will be held on 18 November with academicians, policy makers and political parties regarding this vision document in Delhi after which we will release it" said NGC chairman Shakti Gurung.

This vision document also has two proposals regarding the area of Gorkhaland, with one being the old demand to include Dooars and Terai regions in the proposed state, and also one demand to include areas of south Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar, keeping in mind the national security, NGC office bearers said.