GORKHALAND: GJM scales down separate state demand, ready for interim set-up


BY SABYASACHI BANDOPADHYAY

The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), spearheading a movement in the Darjeeling hills for a separate Gorkhaland, has scaled down its demand for a separate state, saying it is ready for an “interim arrangement” until December 31, 2011.

This proposal was read out at a rally this afternoon in Kalimpong by GJM president Bimal Gurung. It had been sent to Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on February 18.

The announcement was made two days before the tripartite talks between the Centre, West Bengal and the GJM.

The GJM said the “interim arrangement” could be a Gorkhaland Regional Authority or the Darjeeling Dooars Regional Authority with an executive committee and a 55-member body that had the power to legislate.

“Our proposal does not mean that we are deviating from the demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland which is our ultimate goal. We have agreed to the interim arrangement in the larger interest of the hill people. The new Authority should have all legislative and executive powers and we demand that a separate High Court be set up in Darjeeling,” Benoy Tamang, GJM assistant general secretary, told The Indian Express from Darjeeling.

An eight-member GJM team, led by its general secretary Roshan Giri, is going to take part in the talks in Delhi.

The GJM has proposed among other things:

• No state law be applicable to the hills which will comprise the three sub-divisions of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong and the Gorkha-dominated areas of Terai and Dooars in Jalpaiguri district.

• The Authority will have all executive powers, including maintenance of law and order.

• No law passed by West Bengal Assembly will be applicable to Darjeeling.

• A separate High Court for Darjeeling.

• Members of Gorkhaland Police, set up by GJM, be absorbed in the police or the Army.

• All taxes to have been paid from January 2007 to December 31, 2011 be waived.

• All cases against GJM activists be withdrawn.

SOURCE:INDIAN EXPRESS