Sensing the people’s mood, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha called for a five-day celebration across the hills to welcome the Sikkim support.
Men beat drums and women sang and danced as they took out a rally through the streets of Darjeeling under the banner of the Morcha. The residents were elated that their long-standing demand for a separate state carved out of Darjeeling hills had been accorded legitimacy with the passage of the resolution.
“It is a historic day for us. It is the first official document in favour of Gorkhaland. The document will be a major weapon for us to justify the demand for statehood before the Centre,” said Morcha chief Bimal Gurung.
Gurung believes the resolution will justify the creation of Gorkhaland from the “security point of view”. “Sikkim is a sensitive area which shares its borders with China. They, too, want Gorkhaland to be created and this proves that creation of Gorkhaland is good for the country from the security point of view,” he said.
He said the Morcha would now try and get similar resolutions passed by other north-eastern Assemblies. “Such resolutions will force the government to think on creation of Gorkhaland….In the 103 years of the agitation, this is the first major step forward,” said Gurung.
Rallies will be taken out in Darjeeling in the next few days as part of the celebrations. “Even the tea gardens will be closed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday so that workers can come and join in the celebrations for three days,” said Gurung.
He also said the Morcha would soon felicitate Chamling in Darjeeling.
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