GJM to submit memorandum to AmitShah on alleged extortion from Sevoke– Rangpo Railway Project officials

On Saturday the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha accused two Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha leaders of Kalimpong of extorting money from officials of the ongoing Sevoke-Rangpo railway line project.

EOI, DARJEELING, APRIL 20, 2024 : With the poll date nearing and election campaign going on at a frenzied pace, political parties are leaving no stone unturned to hurl allegations at one another to gain the maximum mileage.

On Saturday the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha accused two Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha leaders of Kalimpong of extorting money from officials of the ongoing Sevoke-Rangpo railway line project.

GJM spokesperson, Anil Lopchan produced on Friday a voice interaction between an official of the Railway line project and another person to substantiate the allegations. 

"It is clear from the conversation that an extortion of Rs.1 crore is being talked about,”Lopchan said. The authenticity of the voice interaction could not be verified independently.

The BGPM denied the allegation as baseless. The Sevoke-Rangpo railway project was started in 2009 and entailed the construction of 44 km of track from Sevoke to Rangpo. It is planned that the railway line will ultimately connect to the China border at Nathu La.

Lopchan said it was a shame that money was being extorted from a project that was important from the point of view of national security. 

"Work is behind schedule. The extorters are not allowing construction materials to be reached at the sites. It is a cause of concern for national security. We Gorkhas are known for our commitment to the nation but here the BGPM is shamelessly demanding cut money from a national project," Lopchan said.

It may be mentioned that talking to the Echo of India at Teesta on March 30Project Director of IRCON for the Sevoke – Rangpo Railway Project Anand Kumar Singh said that the completion of the project could be delayed because of the flood of October last year. Because of the poor condition of National Highway 10, there were problems in bringing in the construction materials at the project site, he said. 

The GJM spokesperson said his party would submit a deputation to Union Home Minister, Amit Shah who was expected to address a public meeting at Lebong stadium on Sunday. "We will demand a high level Inquiry to nab the culprits,” he said, mentioning other scams in the hills like in the appointment of teachers, Amrut drinking water project and other governmental schemes. 

Recently, the Calcutta High Court has issued a directive to the CBI to investigate the matter of appointment of teachers in schools under the GTA area based on complaints made by two anonymous persons.

"We want the voters to cast their votes against corruption scam and nepotism. The BJP will usher corruption free development in the hills, "Lopchan said. The GJM, the Gorkha National Liberation Front, the Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxists, the Gorkha Rashtriya Nirman Manch and the SUMETI Morcha are supporting the BJP in the election.