Bimal Gurung warns of unrest in north Bengal for separate state

EOI, DARJEELING, DECEMBER 20, 2023 ; Gorkha Janmukti Morcha president Bimal Gurung has warned of the possibility of unrest in the north Bengal region “if the Centre continues to utilize the people as voting machines for their political gains.” 

Speaking at the closing of the three day dharna of the United Front for Separate State (UFSS) at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Wednesday, the GJM president said: "Our area is the chicken’s neck and very sensitive. Youths can be manipulated and anything can happen. The Centre must be aware of this. We are a peace- loving community but disturbance is caused by repression." 

The central body of the GJM has entrusted the youth wing of the party to continue the second chapter of the demand for a separate state. 

The GJM president said that the results of the 2024 Lok Sabha election could be influenced by the votes of the north Bengal region. 

"We can influence the votes in the north Bengal region. Ther are eight Lok Sabha seats," Gurung said. 

Under Gurung, the BJP has won three MP terms from the Darjeeling seat. However in 2017 Gurung had to leave the hills and go underground after launching an agitation for the statehood demand. Gurung resurfaced in 2020 in Kolkata, severing ties with long-time ally BJP and joining force with the Trinamool Congress. 

"We suffer during elections. We vote for Gorkhaland but get nothing in return. As citizens of the country it is our right to demand," he said. 

Representatives of the Adivasi, Rajbonshi and other communities of the north bengal region participated in the dharna at Jantar Mantar. "We don't want confrontation and we are not here for fun. 

The Centre and the West Bengal Government are playing the divide and rule card," Gurung said. Organizations like the Kamtapur People’s Party, Greater Cooch Behar and Adivasi group participated in the dharna at Jantar Mantar.