Kalimpong,Pradip Lohagun: The Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association
today honoured chief minister Mamata Banerjee with the ‘Kingstoom
Darmit (Bestower of Fortune) title in Kalimpong. Using the occasion of
the second anniversary of the announcement of the ‘Mayalang Lepcha
Development Council’, the ILTA conferred the CM the highest title of the
community in a ceremony here at Mela Ground. Banerjee was welcomed with
a traditional Lepcha dance.
ILTA president Langsong Tamsang,
secretary NT Lepcha and coordinator Bhupendra Lepcha were present to
welcome the CM. Lepcha Rights’ Movement’s coordinator Bhupendra Lepcha
thanked Banerjee for granting the LDC. He said the identity of the
Lepchas had been under question until now and the LDC would help develop
their language and culture.
Tamsang claimed the LDC would empower
the Lepchas socially and economically. “Today the Lepchas have become
free from the economical oppression in the Hills. We have gathered here
in to celebrate our independence,” he said.
I have given you everything, what more do you want?”: Mamata
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who was in Kalimpong today to attend a felicitation programme accorded by the Lepcha community, left no stone unturned in slamming the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leadership.
After the programme at Mela Ground, Banerjee addressed a huge gathering for about 30 minutes. Observers have said her speech involved less of community development issues and more of criticism of those spearheading the statehood agitation. The CM began with Lepcha words ‘Achule’ and ‘Khamree moo’ and spoke about the state government’s plans for the development of the Lepcha community, but changed her trajectory midway and came down heavily at the GJM.
Asserting her stance against any division of the state, Banerjee said Darjeeling is part and parcel of West Bengal and is inseparable. She accused the GJM of imposing an autocracy in the hills by forcibly organising shutdowns and warned such actions would not be tolerated by the state government.
"Autocracy is going on in the name of the agitation which is completely stalling the development of Darjeeling. They are asking the people to remain indoors. It is as if the king is asking his subjects to remain inside. This will not be tolerated," she said.
In obvious reference to the GJAC delegation presently in Delhi, the CM said, "You are free to go to Delhi. You are even free to go to Obama if you wish. But Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong are part of West Bengal and will remain so. There is no question of separation."
Stressing on the GTA to be the ultimate solution for the Darjeeling Hills, she asserted, “They talk about identity. I have given them everything.”
Taking at a dig at those leading the agitation and their families, the CM said they are living a life of luxury while the general populace is facing undue hardships due to the prolonged strikes. She said the strike that has crossed a month mark has affected the education of many students, while leaders have sent their wards to places such as New Zealand and Australia to study.
Describing the Lepchas as the original inhabitants of the region, Banerjee said they have been deprived for a very long time. “The Lepchas are the oldest inhabitants of this region, but they have never demanded a Lepchaland. They have never said the government has been playing the ‘divide and rule’ card and have never taken steps to trouble the government. In such circumstances, why are you creating a nuisance? The state government has been doing everything possible for the development of the Darjeeling hills. You demanded GTA, we formed it. Now what more do you need? We did everything but you people only keep burning and vandalising property. No separation, no division,” she said.
The CM, who earlier used to say ‘the Hills smiles’, uttered, “I am in love with the Kanchenjunga and all the people of the hills. I do not want to see the Kanchenjunga cry.”
She also appealed to the GJM leadership to be present in the GTA meeting scheduled on Wednesday. Taking a relatively softer stance, she said, “Please do take part in the GTA meeting tomorrow to elect the new chief executive. Please work together in harmony to make Darjeeling a better place.”
The CM has also appealed to all government employees to resume their duties from Tuesday.
During the programme, Banerjee announced a Lepcha Cultural and Heritage Centre in Kalimpong and a Rs10 lakh grant for a community centre and library for the Lepchas. Besides, the Lepcha language is to be introduced as a subject in government primary schools in Darjeeling from the next academic session.
Further, she said employment opportunities would be made available in the police force to 5,000 people belonging to the Lepcha community, evoking loud cheers from the gathering.
State chief secretary Sanjay Mitra, home secretary Basudeb Banerjee and DGP Naparajit Mukherjee were also present at the function.
After the programme at Mela Ground, Banerjee addressed a huge gathering for about 30 minutes. Observers have said her speech involved less of community development issues and more of criticism of those spearheading the statehood agitation. The CM began with Lepcha words ‘Achule’ and ‘Khamree moo’ and spoke about the state government’s plans for the development of the Lepcha community, but changed her trajectory midway and came down heavily at the GJM.
Asserting her stance against any division of the state, Banerjee said Darjeeling is part and parcel of West Bengal and is inseparable. She accused the GJM of imposing an autocracy in the hills by forcibly organising shutdowns and warned such actions would not be tolerated by the state government.
"Autocracy is going on in the name of the agitation which is completely stalling the development of Darjeeling. They are asking the people to remain indoors. It is as if the king is asking his subjects to remain inside. This will not be tolerated," she said.
In obvious reference to the GJAC delegation presently in Delhi, the CM said, "You are free to go to Delhi. You are even free to go to Obama if you wish. But Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong are part of West Bengal and will remain so. There is no question of separation."
Stressing on the GTA to be the ultimate solution for the Darjeeling Hills, she asserted, “They talk about identity. I have given them everything.”
Taking at a dig at those leading the agitation and their families, the CM said they are living a life of luxury while the general populace is facing undue hardships due to the prolonged strikes. She said the strike that has crossed a month mark has affected the education of many students, while leaders have sent their wards to places such as New Zealand and Australia to study.
Describing the Lepchas as the original inhabitants of the region, Banerjee said they have been deprived for a very long time. “The Lepchas are the oldest inhabitants of this region, but they have never demanded a Lepchaland. They have never said the government has been playing the ‘divide and rule’ card and have never taken steps to trouble the government. In such circumstances, why are you creating a nuisance? The state government has been doing everything possible for the development of the Darjeeling hills. You demanded GTA, we formed it. Now what more do you need? We did everything but you people only keep burning and vandalising property. No separation, no division,” she said.
The CM, who earlier used to say ‘the Hills smiles’, uttered, “I am in love with the Kanchenjunga and all the people of the hills. I do not want to see the Kanchenjunga cry.”
She also appealed to the GJM leadership to be present in the GTA meeting scheduled on Wednesday. Taking a relatively softer stance, she said, “Please do take part in the GTA meeting tomorrow to elect the new chief executive. Please work together in harmony to make Darjeeling a better place.”
The CM has also appealed to all government employees to resume their duties from Tuesday.
During the programme, Banerjee announced a Lepcha Cultural and Heritage Centre in Kalimpong and a Rs10 lakh grant for a community centre and library for the Lepchas. Besides, the Lepcha language is to be introduced as a subject in government primary schools in Darjeeling from the next academic session.
Further, she said employment opportunities would be made available in the police force to 5,000 people belonging to the Lepcha community, evoking loud cheers from the gathering.
State chief secretary Sanjay Mitra, home secretary Basudeb Banerjee and DGP Naparajit Mukherjee were also present at the function.
CM woos Lepchas in Hills & lambasts GJMM
Kolkata, 3 September
Giving the GJMM a clear signal that she is bent on building a constituency of her own in the Darjeeling Hills to blunt the Hill-based party’s weapon of statehood, the chief minister, Miss Mamata Banerjee today went all out to shower praise on the Lepcha community, universally acknowledged as the autochthones of the Darjeeling Hills, while charging the GJMM with declaring a war against the poor and the weaker communities.
Two main themes ~ the indivisibility of Bengal and development largesse for the Lepcha community ~ dominated the speech she gave at Mela Ground in Kalimpong after being bestowed with the highest Lepcha honour, ‘Bestower of Good Fortune’, by the Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association.
Amidst applause, she said the Lepchas are the real aboriginals of the Hills. “But they have never raised a cry for Lepchaland. They have borne misery for years, but this has not goaded them to demand separation from Bengal. This is the reason why I love and adore you,” she said.
In an acid-dripping attack on the GJMM, she said that the party is goading the poor to bear the cross of the statehood through starvation and joblessness while keeping themselves and their wards comfortably placed. “They are sending their children to some foreign countries for study while keeping ordinary children from attending studies. How can these people understand the anguish of the common people?” she asked.
Meanwhile, GJMM chief Mr Gurung said in a Facebook post: “I was saddened watching the podium which was a show of the Trinamul Congress colours ~ blue and white. As far as I know Lepcha people use the traditional colours maroon and blue. My dear Lepcha brothers and sisters, please don’t change your colour.”(SNS)
Giving the GJMM a clear signal that she is bent on building a constituency of her own in the Darjeeling Hills to blunt the Hill-based party’s weapon of statehood, the chief minister, Miss Mamata Banerjee today went all out to shower praise on the Lepcha community, universally acknowledged as the autochthones of the Darjeeling Hills, while charging the GJMM with declaring a war against the poor and the weaker communities.
Two main themes ~ the indivisibility of Bengal and development largesse for the Lepcha community ~ dominated the speech she gave at Mela Ground in Kalimpong after being bestowed with the highest Lepcha honour, ‘Bestower of Good Fortune’, by the Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association.
Amidst applause, she said the Lepchas are the real aboriginals of the Hills. “But they have never raised a cry for Lepchaland. They have borne misery for years, but this has not goaded them to demand separation from Bengal. This is the reason why I love and adore you,” she said.
In an acid-dripping attack on the GJMM, she said that the party is goading the poor to bear the cross of the statehood through starvation and joblessness while keeping themselves and their wards comfortably placed. “They are sending their children to some foreign countries for study while keeping ordinary children from attending studies. How can these people understand the anguish of the common people?” she asked.
Meanwhile, GJMM chief Mr Gurung said in a Facebook post: “I was saddened watching the podium which was a show of the Trinamul Congress colours ~ blue and white. As far as I know Lepcha people use the traditional colours maroon and blue. My dear Lepcha brothers and sisters, please don’t change your colour.”(SNS)
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