Time to analyse BJP: Binay Tamang, however, made it clear that the objective of his organisation was to get Gorkhaland

Binay Tamang and other Morcha leaders on Saturday offer tributes to three persons killed at Sipchu in 2011File picture

TT, 9 February 2020,  Jalpaiguri: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leader Binay Tamang has said time has come for Gorkhas to analyse what the BJP did for them despite sending three MPs of the saffron camp to the Lok Sabha and accused the Centre of depriving the community of the citizenship through the NRC.

Tamang lambasted the BJP while attending a programme at Sipchu in the Nagrakata block of Jalpaiguri district on Saturday to commemorate “martyrs’ day”.

The day is being observed by the Mocha since three of its activists, Nita Khawas, Biki Lama and Bimla Rai, were shot dead by police at Sipchu on February 8, 2011.

“Time has come to analyse how the BJP cheated us despite the support of Gorkhas in favour of its candidate in Darjeeling parliamentary constituency. The Gorkhas in Darjeeling elected a BJP MP three times. Still, we didn’t get any benefit,” Tamang said in his address.

He, however, made it clear that the objective of his organisation was to get Gorkhaland.

“We have been fighting for Gorkhaland for long. The BJP promised to fulfil our demand but now, it is understood that they used Gorkhaland issue as lollypop for the Gorkhas only to pass through the electoral battle,” the Morcha leader told the supporters.

Tamang also accused the BJP of conspiring to deprive the Gorkhas of citizenship.

“As per the Section 7 of 1950 Act, anyone from Nepal can live in India by purchasing land but the citizenship would not be offered. Now, the NRC would corner us further. We would be branded as foreigners. Nearly 1 lakh Gorkhas

are at detention camps in Assam. Gorkhaland is impossible if our citizenship is not acknowledged. Here, Mamata Didi supports us. She has made clear that the CAA (Citizenship (Amendment) Act) and the NRC (National Register of Citizens) would not be implemented in Bengal,” Tamang said.

The Morcha president offered monetary help to family members of three persons killed at Sipchu in 2011. He also promised to arrange for government jobs for them.

The programme was attended by other Morcha leaders, including Sanchabir Subba, Harkaman Chhetri, Rishika Chhetri and Rohit Thapa.