‘Gorkhaland Sankalp’ rally in Darjeeling

REZA PRADHAN

DARJEELING,: The Naya Party Nirman Samiti (NPNS) on Sunday held a “Gorkhaland Sankalp” rally in Darjeeling, setting a three-month deadline for the Statehood demand to be addressed, failing which it threatened to launch a full-scale agitation.

Although the NPNS had invited various political and apolitical groups to participate in the rally from the Railway Station here, few political parties turned up. However, a large number of people from different parts of the Hills, particularly Gen-Z youth, took part. Members of the Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front (IGJF) and the apolitical body Gorkhaland Activist Samuha (GAS) were also seen in the rally, while the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) expressed its support through a press release.

Speaking on the sidelines of the programme at GDNS Hall, where the rally concluded, NPNS Chief Coordinator Sanjay Thulung said the programme was aimed at raising the demand for Gorkhaland, which he said had been “suppressed in the present scenario.”

The BJP had given the Gorkhas assurances for Gorkhaland and now that they have formed the government in the State as well, we want them to start the process for it, he said.

Thulung said Sunday’s rally marked the beginning of a series of programmes on the Statehood demand, with the next event scheduled to be held in Mirik on August 20. He said details of the programme would be announced a few days before the event.

“The Home Minister, along with the Darjeeling MP, had said before the elections that once they formed the BJP government in the State, the dreams of the Gorkhas would become a reality within six months and that the BJP would be accountable for fulfilling it. Now three months have already passed. Within the next three months, we want our demand for Statehood to be fulfilled, or we will launch a full-scale agitation,” Thulung said, while maintaining that the agitation would remain democratic in nature.

The NPNS leader also said the party would stage protests if the government implemented any alternative arrangement for the region. He said bodies such as the DGHC and GTA had failed in the past and that this was the right time for the government to grant statehood.

Expressing his support for the rally, BGPM chief Anit Thapa said in a press release, “The only goal of the BGPM is Gorkhaland and we support the programme being held in Darjeeling today for the demand. We will support such actions tomorrow as well. Wherever the voice of Gorkhaland is raised, there will be my and the party’s support. Gorkhaland is an issue of the community.”

Meanwhile, IGJF youth leader Rabgey Rai said, “Our youth and women’s fronts today took part in the rally organised by the NPNS, not only representing our party but also as supporters of Gorkhaland. Moreover, the vision of our party and our chief is to support any united call for the demand for Statehood. We request other parties to also show their support.”

The NPNS had recently, on July 11, also organised an all-party meeting in Darjeeling, inviting leaders of various regional parties to participate.