Six-month extension for GTA board

VIVEK CHHETRI - , TT, 26 Sep 2019, Darjeeling: The Bengal government has extended the tenure of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration for six months, prompting the GNLF and the Bimal Gurung group of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha to threaten protests.

A notification issued by Alapan Bandyopadhyay, additional chief secretary, states that the term of the "authority" -- which means the board of the administrators of the GTA -- would be extended for a period six months with effect from September 20, 2019. The notification is dated September 16.

Maan Ghisingh, the president of the GNLF, had earlier said they would hit the streets if the board was given any further extension. The board of administrators is being appointed for six months at a time since September 2017.

The GNLF wants an official to be appointed as the GTA administrator instead of handing the charge of the hill body to the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha's Binay Tamang camp. Anit Thapa, general secretary of the Morcha's Binay Tamang camp, is the current chairman of the board.

Ajoy Edwards, president of the GNLF's Darjeeling branch committee, said on Wednesday that the party would hold "an emergency meeting" in Darjeeling on Thursday to decide their next course of action.

Roshan Giri, general secretary of the Morcha's Bimal camp, posted a video on social media demanding the GTA Act be repealed and talks for "a permanent political solution" be initiated between the "Centre, state and the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha".

"The GTA does not fulfil the aspirations of the hill people. There was an agitation for Gorkhaland and talks should be initiated between the Centre, state and the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha to find a permanent political solution," said Giri..