Darjeeling is once again returning to its old ways of bandh. The deteriorating chemistry between the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and the Trinamool hit a new low with the Hill outfit on Wednesday announcing a “12-hour bandh on February 9 to start with” in protest against the Bengal Government’s decision to form a Lepcha development council without taking autonomous Gorkhaland Territorial Administration into confidence.
In what is being construed as a “clear case of infringement into the jurisdiction of the GTA and an instance of the State Government’s divisive policy”, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday got a Cabinet nod giving the new council a legal status.
“We are writing to both the State and the Central Governments to withdraw the decision failing which the bandh will take place as the first step and will be followed by a prolonged agitation,” Benoy Tamang, senior GJM leader, said, adding the party would also move the Supreme Court if the decision was not reversed.
“The Chief Minister is acting in a dictatorial fashion by announcing programmes in the Hills and declaring such council with a clear intention to divide and rule,” GJM chief Bimal Gurung said.
The Chief Minister was transgressing stepping into jurisdiction of the GTA, he said, adding whatever decision regarding the Lepchas had to be taken should be taken by the GTA and not the State Government.
The GTA was formed in the wake of a tripartite accord signed by the Central Government, State Government and the GJM which postponed for the time being the demand for a separate Gorkhaland State.
The demand was however revived after the Centre started toying with the idea of a giving a separate Telangana State.
In what is being construed as a “clear case of infringement into the jurisdiction of the GTA and an instance of the State Government’s divisive policy”, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday got a Cabinet nod giving the new council a legal status.
“We are writing to both the State and the Central Governments to withdraw the decision failing which the bandh will take place as the first step and will be followed by a prolonged agitation,” Benoy Tamang, senior GJM leader, said, adding the party would also move the Supreme Court if the decision was not reversed.
“The Chief Minister is acting in a dictatorial fashion by announcing programmes in the Hills and declaring such council with a clear intention to divide and rule,” GJM chief Bimal Gurung said.
The Chief Minister was transgressing stepping into jurisdiction of the GTA, he said, adding whatever decision regarding the Lepchas had to be taken should be taken by the GTA and not the State Government.
The GTA was formed in the wake of a tripartite accord signed by the Central Government, State Government and the GJM which postponed for the time being the demand for a separate Gorkhaland State.
The demand was however revived after the Centre started toying with the idea of a giving a separate Telangana State.
Source: dailypioneer
Post a Comment
We love to hear from you! What's on your mind?