Our way or the highway Highway Committees and NH 31A locals alert a highway uprising if not granted a separate Constituency
MUKESH SHARMA
KALIMPONG, May 27:
Much
hullabaloo has been created in the hills after the topic of demarcation of 45
seats of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) came into notice after
being highlighted by the District Administration Office under Darjeeling
District Administration 24 hours ago. Though the Kalimpong Subdivision has been
allotted 13 seats still the locals of the National Highway (NH) 31A, stretched
from Rangpo, West Bengal to Sevoke, who have been demanding for a separate
Constituency since long, are much disturbed.
 |
| SAGAR LAMA AND VISHAL RAI |
The
Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) has been looking after the said area under the
Highway Block Committee. The residents of the area foremostly dreamt of a
separate State, Gorkhaland and secondly to have a Constituency of their own. Regarding
the latter, the Committee after the GJM came into power had also gained 100%
assurance from all the Administrative Officers of the Block Office, Sub
Division Office and even from the Morcha President and the MLAs. The Draft
prepared by the Morcha had mentioned about allotment of 45 numbers of seats
under each 45 seats and formation of a separate Constituency for the NH 31A
area. The people of this area were satisfied with this Draft but after the
topic came under highlight not only were their dreams were shattered but they complain
of being by including them with 5- 7 various areas.
After
this decision was flashed out in the newspapers, all the heads of the Morcha
workers of the of the highway area called on an immediate meeting at the
Chittrey Tourist Lodge today. The meeting under the Presidentship of the
Lohapool Branch President, DB Gurung was attended by all the Presidents and
Secretaries of the Morcha Branches and Sub Branches from Kali Jhora, Rambi,
Lohapool, Teesta, Melli, Tar Khola etc.
The
main topic of discussion being the demarcation of seats, they whined that they
have been heavily betrayed. Further, it was decided that in order to make the
highway area a separate Constituency they will do the utmost and also conduct
extreme ways like indefinite hunger strikes and self immolations if needed. During
the initiation of the Gorkhaland agitation the NH 31A served as a weapon
shutting down the neighbouring State, Sikkim and putting the Central Government
on high alert. The people of the area who still visit the Kalimpong Court
regularly for the hearing sessions for supporting the agitation, now feel let
down.
The
President of the Highway Block Committee, Sagar Lama addressing the media after
the meeting informed that 90% of the NH 31A comes under the Kalimpong Sub
Division. Before Kalimpong was allotted 12 seats and after the inclusion of the
highway it was 13 seats, but after the notice has been issued the highway area
is lost somewhere for it has been divided into various parts, he complained. The
Committee has now decided to give an ultimatum to the Administration until
Wednesday starting from tomorrow (i.e. May 28, 2012). The Committee within
these 3 days will be putting forward their grievances to all the Block
Development Office, Sub Divisional Office and District Collector’s Office. If
their demands are not met within the said days then, the public of the highway
area will come out in the streets and will demonstrated rallies, Dharnas, Bandhs, self sacrifices, hunger strikes etc., warned the President.
Likewise,
the Highway Yuva Morcha President, Bishal Rai also condemning the notice stated
that much injustice is done to them. The notice is against the economical,
social and political development of the area, asserted Rai. Further, countering
the time given by the Government for June 02 for time revision, Rai said that
instead they are giving time to the Government until May 30 to make the highway
a separate Constituency. If the demand is not fulfilled then all the people of
the highway area will start on an insurgency for which the Administration will
be answerable, he warned. Rai, recommending the GJM Central Committee to take
this issue seriously cautioned that the highway shall blare if their necessary
need is not fulfilled and the Morcha shall to be responsible for it. He also
mentioned that all the Morcha office bearers of the highway branches and sub branches
will also put forward their resignation if their issue is left unattended.
Lastly, Rai appealed all the highway residents to be ready for this ‘soon to
be’ agitation. “Being in a democratic country we shall also conduct our
agitation the democratic way”, he concluded.
Deeply
affected by the notice the highway locals claim that their area fulfills all
the criteria of becoming a separate Constituency. “Though all the paper works
regarding the same has been completed, we have been betrayed by few of our own
leaders”, they complained. They also alleged that the politicians are eyeing on
the Hydel and Railway Project for their own vested needs.
Tags: LOCAL
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