Lepchas call off agitation after assurance

KALIMPONG/SILIGURI, 12 FEB: Protesting Lepchas finally called off their agitation after north Bengal development affairs minister Mr Gautam Deb today assured them that the state would consider their demand for a separate Lepcha Development Board in the Hills.
In another significant development, Darjeeling police arrested seven GJMM activists on charges of waving black flags during Mr Deb’s visit to Kalimpong today. This is the first time that police have arrested GJMM activists during the tenure of the Trinamul-led state government.
Lepchas under the banner of Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association (ILTA) had started an indefinite fast, which continued for six days, in protest against politicisation of LDC after the state decided to set up a separate body in the Hills. Activists broke their fast with Mr Deb offering a glass of juice to one of the elderly members at the venue. However, Mr Deb had to face the wrath of GJMM activists while on his way back to Siliguri.
Protesting against state government’s unilateral decision, GJMM activists waved black flags at different places in Kalimpong. They also threw black flags at Mr Deb's convoy on two occasions.
Darjeeling SP Mr Kunal Agarwal said: “We have arrested seven GJMM supporters on charges of waving black flags at the minister following two complaints lodged with the police.”
Mr Deb arrived in Kalimpong around 10.30 am today and interacted with the Lepcha leaders at the Town Hall.  He assured them that their demand would be tabled before the CM, and he would seek an appointment with her for a meeting. “A gazette notification will be issued regarding LDC very soon,” he said. Following this, Mr Lamsang Tamsang, a senior Lepcha leader,  agreed to call off the agitation.
Reacting to state government’s moves, GJMM assistant secretary Mr Binay Tamang said: “Despite reminders to the chief minister and protests against the constitution of a separate LDC, the state government is still going ahead. Today, Mr Deb read a state government order for the LDC at the venue where Lepchas were fasting despite protests against state’s decision on the GTA.”
“Our supporters reacted and waved black flags condemning the state government’s decision,” Mr Tamang said.
GJMM leaders said they would welcome the LDC, but it must be under the control of GTA.  

Demand for Lepcha Development Council outside GTA’s purview

KOLKATA, 12 FEB: The state backward classes department today issued a resolution for setting up of Mayel Lyang Lepcha Development Council for the development of the Lepchas under its administrative control outside the purview of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA). The council would be formed as registered cooperative society to be guided by the West Bengal Societies Registration Act 1961 with a general council and executive body with members nominated by the state government chosen either from the Lepcha community or state government officials.
“Since the Lepcha Council is not bound by any geographical area and may include members from Kalimpong or Jalpaiguri it cannot be put under GTA. Moreover, it is a registered cooperative society,” said an official of the  department.  A delegation of the Lepcha Rights Movement today met Mr S K Thade, secretary of the backward class welfare department.
 “We also came to know a grant will be sanctioned for the council which will be spent for the development of the Lepcha," said a team member. The general council will have 31 members and the executive body 11 members. The council will work for over all development of Lepchas and protecting their ethnic identity, language and culture. 
The Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM) has been protesting against the state government's move to set up the council outside the GTA's purview.