Anit Thapa emphasizes development of hills over Gorkhaland

PRASHANT ACHARYA, EOI, SILIGURI, FEBRUARY 10, 2023 :  “Do not ask me questions on Gorkhaland, ask the Central leaders as it is a subject of the Central chapter, I have not asked votes in the name of Gorkhaland, I have asked votes for a proper system of hills,” Gorkhaland Territorial Administration(GTA) chairman Anit Thapa said on Friday at New Jalpaiguri railway station while returning from Kolkata by train after concluding meetings with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

When newspersons asked him about the stand of the BJP to achieve Gorkhaland, he said Gorkhaland was not the subject of the chapter of state and he was working for the development for the hills with the cooperation with the State Government.

He also announced that tea gardens workers and residents of Kalimpong market would get their land rights when the Chief Minister would issue land pattas during her next visit.

“This is a big achievement for the hills, as 80 percent of people in hills do not have land documents,” said Thapa.

On the issues of Permanent Political solution demanded for hills he replied: “My political solution is to develop the education system in hills, health system should be proper, drinking water in every house, roads should be good. I am working on state subjects, I am working on my issues, I have not said permanent solution.

They (the BJP) contested the election in the name of Gorlkhaland, I have not contested the election in the name of Gorkhaland, I have asked for votes to ensure a system of hills. You can ask Central leaders, those are their chapter, the State will not give Gorkhaland.