The release of BJP election manifesto created a mini-political controversy in the Darjeeling hills, with supporters of TMC regime quickly pointing out “Gorkhaland”‘ word is missing from it.
Politically, Darjeeling-Duars never belonged to West Bengal. The region was ruled by Sikkim, Bhutan and Nepal. This has been admitted by the Government of West Bengal in a White Paper published in 1986.
Political resolution on the matter of Gorkhas
1.”We will recognise the 11 left out Indian Gorkha sub-tribes as Schedule Tribes. We are also committed to implement the reservation in the legislative assembly of Sikkim for Limboo and Tamang tribes.
2.”We are committed to work towards finding a permanent political solution to the issue of Darjeeling Hills, Siliguri Terai and Dooars region.”
“Abuiii, tear gas le ta kya aakha poldo raicha!!” – I still remember people saying this line. I can still remember the fear of gunshot…
In the wake of recent poll-related violences in Kalimpong, different Hill parties have written to the Election Commission raising strong concerns about free and fair…
“We will recognise the 11 left out Indian Gorkha sub-tribes as Schedule Tribes. We are also committed to implement the reservation in the legislative assembly of Sikkim for Limboo and Tamang tribes.
We are committed to work towards finding a permanent political solution to the issue of Darjeeling Hills, Siliguri Terai and Dooars region.”
On 2nd April, the UN-mandated day for Autism awareness, every year on this day, or at least on any other day of the first week of April, the entire school is involved in programmes to raise awareness about autism.
We live in a small hill town with the smooch of simplicity. We tend not to be ‘Hindi’ but sub-consciously we have a craze for Bollywood. We pray to our deity offering flowers of rhododendron and make country liquor with the same flower.
For me ‘Entry of TMC into Darjeeling Politics is beginning of the end of Gorkha Political Aspirations’
“Peace in the hills today is akin to the peace of the graveyard. In fact corruption, intimidation, threats, curtailing of democratic and constitutional rights and making a mockery of the judicial system has increased in Darjeeling than in rest of the state. What has developed in Darjeeling is the suppression and oppression of peoples’ sentiments,” Gurung alleged.