Mukesh Sharma

Kalimpong, January 15:

While the Centre is hinting possibilities on the formation of Telangana the demand for Gorkhaland seems to be roaring in the hills. The Congress leaders from Andhra Pradesh’s Telangana region on Monday had claimed that they have received signals from the Centre on creation of a separate state.

Speaking on this matter, the Gorkhaland Task Force (GTF) Coordinator, R Moktan insisted that the state and the Centre should clarify their thoughts to the public about Gorkhaland formation.

“Gorkhaland demand is far older and important than Telangana”, said Moktan to the reporters today.

“Telangana demand might be important for the concerned region’s development, but Gorkhaland demand is far above it. The demand is not only for development, but it is also for the identity, security and communal harmony of the Indian Gorkhas”, underlined the GTF Coordinator.

Saying that it is a challenging situation, Moktan added that time has arrived to seriously think about the future of the Gorkhas. He also appealed all the political parties of the hills, litterateurs, experts, students, youths, organizations and the general public at large to stand united under one platform and voice for Gorkhaland.

Further, labeling the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) as a hindrance for the formation of a separate state, the Coordinator demanded that the GTA Sabha should foremostly pass a resolution for Gorkhaland and forward it to the state and the Centre. He also demanded the MP and MLAs of the hills to raise their voice in the Parliament and the Legislative Assembly for the formation of a separate state.

“If they cannot do this, then they are fit to resign from their posts”, he said.

He also appealed all to disapprove the GTA and come forward for Gorkhaland.

Similarly, the Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxist (CPRM) has also demanded for early formation of Gorkhaland. The CPRM Central Committee member, Norbu Lama blamed the Congress for silently preparing for Telangana state formation.

“Since, Telangana seems possible, the Gorkhaland should not be left out”, he told.

Speaking more on this demand, Lama mentioned that in the year 2001, when 3 new states were formed, namely, Jharkhand, Uttarkhand and Chattisgarh, the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), the then ruling party in the hills, took no steps for Gorkhaland formation. Similarly, at present times, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) is doing nothing. The time is ripe for the Morcha to prepare and call on an agitation, but they are busy holding cultural programmes and fests in the hills, complained Lama and added that if tomorrow Gorkhaland is not attained, then the Morcha will be answerable.

The CPRM has decided to hold a meeting within 2-3 days and will be preparing for Gorkhaland agitation, it has been informed.

“Our agitation programme can be of any kind such as hunger strikes, protests, distribution of leaflets, postering, etc.”, informed the Marxist Lama.

He also requested the people to be awake and not to get lost in programmes and fares and instead focus on Gorkhaland.

“I would like to suggest all the political parties to vouch for Gorkhaland as it is the only solution to all our problems”, said Lama when asked, what he feels about other political factions who are demanding Sikkim- Darjeeling unification or Autonomous Council or Union Territory.