Meghalaya CM and National People’s Party (NPP) chief Conrad Sangma has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in support of Political Solution for the Gorkhas. Here is the text of the submission:
“As you are aware of the long pending constitutional demand of the Gorkhas for a separate state of Gorkhaland. The Gorkhas have made their home for a very long period.
The contributions of the Gorkhas towards their motherland have been immeasurable and they have made supreme sacrifices in protecting this beloved country.
Evoking the memories of Gorkha greats, Meghalaya CM stated, “The martyrdom of the Gorkha freedom fighter Major Durga Malla received the highest respect and honour in the country when his statue was installed in the Parliament House Complex in 2004. Shri. Damber Singh Gurung and Shri. Ari Bahadur Gurung were members of the Constituent Assembly of India and the later was a signatory of the approved copy of the Constitution of India when it was adopted. Similarly, Captain Ram Singh Thakuri was another prominent Gorkha freedom fighter and musician who composed the music of the inspiring National Anthem.”
“Sir, as stated, Gorkhas have contributed immensely to the fabric of Indian society and as with other citizens of India, the Gorkhas too are rightful Indian citizens who deserve to have their identity and Bas Bhoomi,” Meghalaya CM further stated.
Meghalaya CM Sangma further writes, “The NDA government under the leadership of our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has passed several landmark decisions in the interest of the people of this country. In the same manner, I urge your good office to kindly give a patient hearing to the just and legitimate demand of the Gorkhas of North Bengal and offer an honourable and lasting political solution at the earliest which will satisfy the long pending aspiration of this honourable and dedicated people.”
Writing on the same issue, Darjeeling MLA, Neeraj Zimba also wrote to the Home Minister requesting to open dialogue for a permanent political solution. Here is the test of his submission:
“The GTA was a stop-gap arrangement born out of the tripartite agreement between the Centre, the State, and the majority ruling Party GJMM. It has now been running with a few nominated members handpicked by the ruling dispensation as a purely temporary measure in obvious disregard to the democratic norms of the Indian Constitution. The situation demands that the Central Government take this matter seriously and act accordingly in order to save the region from future disturbances and turmoil. As you are aware that, in 2009, when BJP hardly had any presence in West Bengal, Darjeeling had elected BJP MP and, since then, it has been electing BJP MP in successive Elections. In the 2019 Election, the BJP candidate Shri. Raju Bista won by a thumping majority and I won as your Party’s MLA candidate with an overwhelming majority.
That, since the representatives of the then undivided Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha (GJMM) having resigned en masse from the Gorkha Territorial Administration rendered it dormant on 25th June 2017, triggering a mass movement with renewed agenda for a separate state of Gorkhaland under the constitutional framework of India, a strong dissatisfaction amongst the Hills people has surfaced again.
That, the ruling West Bengal Government formed a Board of Administrators with the nominated Chairman and a Vice-Chairman from the breakaway faction of GJMM and, that, this Board is being used by the ruling dispensation for putting pressures on the people in the form of various Police and administrative measures to advance its own agenda of political hegemony.
The resentment felt by the people against the six-monthly extensions of the tenure of the existing ad-hoc GTA Administrative Board since 2017 may take a serious turn making the situation more volatile creating greater disturbances and disharmony in the area. As a matter of fact, such an arrangement is the complete antithesis to the aspiration of the majority of the Hill people which has created more administrative confusion. Without the support of a constitutional backup, the functioning of the structurally handicapped GTA has deprived our people of natural justice.
The GTA was a stop-gap arrangement born out of the tripartite agreement between the Centre, the State and the majority ruling Party GJMM. It has now been running with a few nominated members handpicked by the ruling dispensation as a purely temporary measure in obvious disregard to the democratic norms of the Indian Constitution. The situation demands that the Central Government take this matter seriously and act accordingly in order to save the region from future disturbances and turmoil. As you are aware that, in 2009, when BJP hardly had any presence in West Bengal, Darjeeling had elected BJP MP and, since then, it has been electing BJP MP in successive Elections. In the 2019 Election, the BJP candidate Shri. Raju Bista won by a thumping majority and I won as your Party’s MLA candidate with an overwhelming majority.
Under these circumstances, I would request you to turn your kind attention to the plight of the people of Darjeeling and Kalimpong Hills, certain areas of Terai and Dooars, and initiate a dialogue process for finding out a Permanent Political Solution for this region at the earliest, by involving all the stakeholders and political parties so as to prevent further aggravation of the people’s resentment which may well turn into yet another mass movement. Your timely intervention through the said process will undoubtedly go a long way in resolving the historical problem of the Indian Gorkhas and establish a new era of peace, harmony, and prosperity in our region.
I would further request that the Meeting Notice of the MHA (CS Division) to discuss the issues related to GTA scheduled on the 7th of August, 2020 notified vide F. No. 12013/01/2011-SR dated 27th July 2020, which is postponed by MHA, (CS Division) vide Notice dated the 1st of August 2020 be completely called off and a fresh meeting be proposed in the larger interest of the general populace. The review meeting with GTA run by a small body of nominated members under the ad-hoc arrangement does not merit justification. I sincerely hope that the government of the day will take significant and concrete steps towards finding out a political solution for this region in the interest of national security.
Thanking you in anticipation of your early attention.”
This is indeed commendable work from sri Conrad Sangma by giving voice to our century old gorkha demnad for gorkhaland.Specially like the terminology “bas bhoomi” A big gorkha salute.It also give us the hint for his NE political expansion.so long you support us for placing the gorkhaland bill in the parliament we will appreciate your effort.