KURSEONG, 27 FEB: In what can be called a politically significant stance, the preponderant Hill-based party, the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM), has decided to maintain neutrality on tomorrow’s general/ industrial strike convened by 11 central trade unions. However, the parties sitting on the other side of the fence, like the AIGL, CPRM and GNLF, have extended moral support to the strike, though they would not take to the streets in its support.
When questioned which side their support lay with the issue generating acrimonious heat across the state, the GJMM spokesperson, Harka Bahadur Chettri, said his party would have nothing to do with it. “It is not our bandh and so it is not our responsibility to work for its success. But at the same time, we would not do anything to scuttle the bandh. We would simply remain neutral,” he added.
Echoing the Kalimpong MLA’s view on the matter, the central committee member of the GJMM-affiliated Darjeeling Terai Dooars Plantation Labour Union, (DTDPLU), Mr Pranam Rasaily, said they would be neutral. “We are certain the bandh would have no tangible impact on the normal functioning of the tea and cinchona plantations across the Hills. If any organisation tends to put up obstruction we would not interfere. This is our clear stance over the sensitive issue,” he said.
On the other hand, a senior CPRM leader Mr Govind Chettri said their support for the strike would remain moral. “We are not in a position to take to the streets to make it a success in view of the reign of terror that has been unleashed in the Hills since the Mamata Banerjee government came to power in the state. We have no say, as our voice is likely to be ruthlessly muzzled,” he said.
The All India Gorkha League’s Kurseong unit president, SK Pradhan, said the bandh had been convened keeping in view the larger interests of the toiling class. “The state government should have supported it, given its much-hyped profession of a pro-working class line. However, we would not take to the streets in support of the strike,” he said. The GNLF has taken the same stance. The party’s Mirik unit chief convener, Arjun Rai, said they would stay away from it.
The branches of the nationalised banks across Darjeeling Hills are likely to remain closed tomorrow. Several unions comprising the bank employees have already made their stance clear on the matter.
When questioned which side their support lay with the issue generating acrimonious heat across the state, the GJMM spokesperson, Harka Bahadur Chettri, said his party would have nothing to do with it. “It is not our bandh and so it is not our responsibility to work for its success. But at the same time, we would not do anything to scuttle the bandh. We would simply remain neutral,” he added.
Echoing the Kalimpong MLA’s view on the matter, the central committee member of the GJMM-affiliated Darjeeling Terai Dooars Plantation Labour Union, (DTDPLU), Mr Pranam Rasaily, said they would be neutral. “We are certain the bandh would have no tangible impact on the normal functioning of the tea and cinchona plantations across the Hills. If any organisation tends to put up obstruction we would not interfere. This is our clear stance over the sensitive issue,” he said.
On the other hand, a senior CPRM leader Mr Govind Chettri said their support for the strike would remain moral. “We are not in a position to take to the streets to make it a success in view of the reign of terror that has been unleashed in the Hills since the Mamata Banerjee government came to power in the state. We have no say, as our voice is likely to be ruthlessly muzzled,” he said.
The All India Gorkha League’s Kurseong unit president, SK Pradhan, said the bandh had been convened keeping in view the larger interests of the toiling class. “The state government should have supported it, given its much-hyped profession of a pro-working class line. However, we would not take to the streets in support of the strike,” he said. The GNLF has taken the same stance. The party’s Mirik unit chief convener, Arjun Rai, said they would stay away from it.
The branches of the nationalised banks across Darjeeling Hills are likely to remain closed tomorrow. Several unions comprising the bank employees have already made their stance clear on the matter.
statesman news service
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