Morcha to hold rallies in Delhi

BIRESWAR BANERJEE, TT, 09 Oct 2018, Bagdogra: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha president Binay Tamang hinted on Monday that his party would arrange for a show of strength in the national capital after Diwali and would raise the demand to announce the entire north Bengal, including the GTA area, as a "scheduled area" as per the Indian Constitution.

Binay, who returned here from Delhi, said his party would hold a public meeting and a rally in Delhi after the festivities, even if they did not get permission from the state and the police.

"We were denied permission to hold our Foundation Day celebration in Delhi and were also humiliated by the police. This has happened as per the instructions of Darjeeling MP S.S. Ahluwalia. We could not even organise a cultural programme to celebrate the occasion," he said.

As a mark of protest, Tamang said, they would hold a public meeting and a rally after Diwali.

"A large number of Tamang at the Bagdogra airport on Monday. Picture by Passang Yolmo Gorkhas will join the programme and this time, we will not wait for the permission from the police or other quarters," added the Morcha chief.

Over 1,000 supporters of the Morcha from different areas of Darjeeling, Kurseoong and the foothills had assembled at the airport to welcome him. Many of them were seen shouting "Go Back" slogans against Ahluwalia and the BJP.

Tamang also criticised the Centre for curbing democratic rights of people in the national capital. "They (BJP) often criticises the state government in Bengal on the issue of democracy. But after facing the hu- miliation on Sunday, we have realised that there is no democracy in Delhi," he said.

Asked about the recent meeting between some leaders of Bimal Gurung faction with the Union home secretary, he rubbished it. "It was an `unofficial meeting' and was hurriedly held ahead of my visit in Delhi. No official remarks were made about its outcome," he said.

Tamang, who is also the chief of the board of administrator at the GTA, said the Morcha would raise the demand for conferment of scheduled area status to north Bengal. As per fifth schedule of Indian Constitution, an area having preponderance of tribal population can be declared as a scheduled area.

"We want the Centre to declare the entire GTA area and north Bengal as a whole, as a scheduled area as per the Indian constitution. Such status was earlier conferred in different areas located in some states of our country. We will raise the demand again as we resume our movement in Delhi," he said.