Darjeeling News: Gorkhaland Territorial Administration panel seeks extension

Siliguri,TT, Dec. 22: The Justice Shyamal Sen committee formed to look into the territory demand of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha has sought a 40-day extension before it makes the final recommendations to the government.

The extension plea has not gone down well with the Morcha, which said it could lead to the resumption of the Gorkhaland agitation in the Darjeeling hills. The extension will in effect delay the implementation of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, the administrative arrangement for the hills.

The CPM fears that the situation would be a rerun of 2006, when delay in implementing the Sixth Schedule status during Subash Ghisingh’s time led to the renewal of the Gorkhaland movement under the Morcha.

Five months have passed since the signing of the agreement on July 18. With further delay in giving a final shape to the territory of the GTA, the Morcha — one of the signatories to the agreement — said the situation might change in the hills. The Morcha had been demanding that the Gorkha dominated areas of the Dooars and the Terai be made part of the GTA. The government has appointed the Justice Sen-led panel to look into the demand.

Morcha spokesperson and Kalimpong MLA Harka Bahadur Chhetri, who is a member of the panel, told The Telegraph today: “Almost six months have passed since the signing of the accord. It is for the state government to act now. The process of forming the GTA is likely to be delayed further as the committee has asked for an extension of 40 days. There is not much chance of the recommendations reaching the government before mid-February next year. Also, the Presidential assent needed to form GTA is yet to come.”

“This delay might agitate the hill residents, who have not seen any visible evidence of government initiative to form the GTA so far, except certain promises made by state ministers,” he added.

The CPM said the delay in the GTA formation would only complicate the situation in the hills.

“Given the resumption of Gorkhaland movement by frontal organisations of the Morcha (the youth wing of the party has planned rallies), we are apprehensive that further delay would only complicate the situation,” said Asok Bhattacharya, former minister and a state committee member of the CPM.

“The indications are that it might be a repeat of 2006, when, because of the delay in implementing the Sixth Schedule even after signing the agreement with Subash Ghisingh, the region witnessed resurgence of the Gorkhaland movement. There are chances that under the circumstances a fresh unrest might occur, deteriorating the law and order. Development will then again take a backseat.”

“In such case, the Mamata Banerjee’s government will be responsible,” he added.

North Bengal development minister has refuted the allegations levelled against his government. “The chief minister has proved her sincerity in ending the turmoil prevailing in the hills for past four-five years. The agreement has been signed and now, the government is waiting for recommendations of the high-power committee. We have no intention to delay the formation of the GTA. The civic elections in the hills has proved our political will.”