Gorkha Janamukti Yuva Morcha defers rally for Gorkhaland

KURSEONG, 9 JAN: The GJMM's youth affiliate has decided to defer a series of public meetings in support of statehood, but will continue with its planned signature campaign.
While the GJMM leadership is reviewing the progress of the Gorkhland Territorial Agreement (GTA in New Delhi, its youth wing has stepped up the Gorkhaland agitation with the signature campaign in Kureseong, which will continue until February, according to a Gorkha Jan Mukti Yuva Morcha (GJMYM) spokesman.
However, softening its stance a bit, the affiliate has decided to defer its proposed public meetings in support of the statehood cause. “We have taken our decision in view of the GTA stalemate. However, the signature campaign will continue,” said the affiliate general secretary, Mr Priyavardhan Rai.
The public rallies were slated to be held in Kurseong on 7 January, in Mirik on 12 January, in Kalimpong 22 January, in Siliguri on 29 January and in Darjeeling on 5 February.
“We are of the view that when the Centre and the state government have taken up the implementation of the 18 July GTA agreement in earnest we should desist from precipitating the situation,” Mr Rai said.
He said the GJMYM leadership would write to the Prime Minister, the Union home minister, leader of the Opposition in the Parliament and the chief minister regarding the statehood demand.
Mr Rai said the Hills will remain in turmoil until the century-old demand for Gorkhaland becomes a reality. "We do not know when the long-standing Gorkhaland demand would become a reality. However, we cannot sit idle even if the GTA is constituted," he said. "We would keep campaigning for the statehood demand at the grassroot-level across the Hills."
Notably, the GJMM youth wing had kicked off the renewed statehood stir by organising a public meeting at Mangpoo in Kalimpong sub-division on 18 December last year.

statesman news service