Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikas Parshad's joining hands with the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha

Jalpaiguri: Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikas Parshad's joining hands with the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, in an apparent volte face, has sent ripples among the tribals and non-tribals of Dooars and Terai. While the resident Bengali population is scared with the new development, a large section of tribals in the tea belt feel betrayed with the ABAVP's new stance.

Fearing backlash from their own supporters, ABAVP leaders from Dooars and Terai are now trying to explain to the supporters what led them to join hands with the GJM. The leaders, on Monday, held a press conference at Siliguri where they tried to point out the reasons behind their Sunday's decision.

"We, the adivasis, are the most deprived community living in the region. We had sought for a Sixth Schedule status for Dooars and Terai and had also appealed for an autonomous council. But those were turned down. We, therefore, thought it wise to join hands with the GJM as it is included under the autonomous council, which would ensure flow of funds for development of the area we live in," said John Barla, president of ABAVP's Dooars Regional Unit.

The tribal leader said they would launch a door-to-door campaign in Dooars and Terai to make their supporters understand the reason behind joining hands with the Hills party. "Our central committee leaders are worried. We think this is just a misunderstanding due to lack of communication. We will go to meet our state president Birsa Tirkey on November 3 and would explain everything to him," he added.

But the task does not seem as easy as it appears, especially seems to be less easier than saidat their home turf. Supporters have already started voicing their dissent.

"We supported the ABAVP as it had promised to resist the GJM in the plains. Now once they have joined hands with the GJM, it will be easier for them to penetrate this region. It is obvious that the GJM will start calling the shots in this region. Who will guarantee that they won't target us once their goal is achieved?" a tea labourer of Oodlabari tea estate said.

"The decision has been taken very hastily. This involves the sentiment of thousands of common people of all communities. We must not forget that ABAVP also enjoys the support of other non-Nepalese and non-tribal communities as well. If they are not happy with us, how can we move further?" Birsa Tirkey had told TOI on Sunday.

Sensing the mood, the Left parties on Monday, wrote to the Jalpaiguri district magistrate opposing the handing over of Dooars mouzas. The DM is a member of the expert committee constituted to look into the GJM demand for inclusion of parts of Dooars and Terai under Gorkhaland Territorial Administration. The Left parties said that they would do their best to stop inclusion of the plains under the GTA.

Congress leaders have said that they would again question in favour of including Dooars, Terai and the Hills under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution that can protect the rights of the indigenous people as is the case with nine other states in the country. some of them being as Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan.

-TOI