'Would work for permanent solution' for the region, for the political identity of the Gorkhas

Amitava Banerjee | MP | 23 January 2019 | Darjeeling: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee assured the people of the Hills that her government would work towards a permanent solution for the region, one that would help secure the political identity of the Gorkhas and facilitate in creating a better Darjeeling.

"After the Lok Sabha elections, we will review the Darjeeling accord or agreement (GTA) and see if we can come up with a better arrangement for Darjeeling, Kurseong and the Kalimpong Hills. In order to preserve your identity and ensure all-round development, I will do whatever needs to be done in the form of a permanent solution," said Banerjee.

Incidentally in the past, the Hills have been a witness to repeated agitations. The violent agitation in the 1980s spearheaded by the GNLF resulted in the formation of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) in 1988. A neo agitation by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) in 2007 resulted in the formation of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) in 2012.

At present, Hill political parties including the GNLF are demanding a permanent solution for Darjeeling in terms of a constitutional guarantee to any form of administrative arrangement.

The Chief Minister had held parlays with the GJM and the GNLF on Tuesday in an attempt to forge an election alliance necessary to oust the BJP from Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency.

On Wednesday, while addressing the huge gathering at the Darjeeling Chowrasta, Banerjee stated: "You all had asked for a Central University. Despite repeated assurances, the Central government did not give you one. The state government immediately initiated the process of starting the Darjeeling Hill University. They only make thousands of assurances at the time of elections and then run away. We don't do that."

Regarding the inclusion of 11 Gorkha sub-communities in the Scheduled Tribe list, Banerjee stated: "We have already sent our endorsement to the Centre. However, it is not doing anything. If a new government comes to the Centre, we will definitely do the needful."

The Chief Minister stated that during hours of crisis, Bengal has always showed the way. "The struggle for Independence started from Bengal. Whenever India is plunged in darkness, Bengal and its people show the path," stated Banerjee.

She further added that the nation will not forget the role of the Gorkhas in the Indian war of Independence, specially in the Indian National Army under Netaji. "Netaji had a strong bond with the Gorkhas. They fought side by side with him in the INA. From then onwards, the identity of the Gorkhas had been established," she added.

Both the GJM and the GNLF welcomed her assurances of a permanent solution for the Hills. "We are very grateful to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her announcement regarding the identity and safety, security of the Gorkhas in India. She has also agreed to review the existing GTA Act and confer more powers. The GTA election will be held after the Lok Sabha polls," stated Binoy Tamang, president, GJM.