GRNM explains possible methods for formation of districts

The Gorkha Rajya Nirman Morcha (GRNM) president Dawa Pakhrin has blamed the district for failed Gorkhaland agitations of 1986 and 2007. 

Speaking to the reporters today, Pakhrin said that whenever he meet  ministers and leaders of other states they are questioned how much area comes under Gorkhaland. “We answer that only half of the district comes under Gorkhaland as Siliguri is being transformed into a separate Commissionerate,” he said. Comparing Siliguri with the Gorkhaland areas the GRNM president informed that there are district hospitals and district offices in Siliguri which further makes the place 90% as a district whereas Kurseong and Kalimpong which were declared as sub divisions in 1981 and 1917, respectively have not developed. He also said that even a state like Mizoram which was a partially excluded area similar to Darjeeling has 7 districts with 10 lakh population. Likewise he said even Sikkim with 6 lakh population is a state with four districts.Further, Pakhrin said that if a new district has to be formed then new blocks will be formed under the subdivisions and people will benefit. He added that Kurseong is the oldest sub division of state therefore a district will be formed after including the areas of Siliguri and Terai regions. Sub divisions and blocks should be formed by including Mirik, Naxalbari and Matigarah. While by combining Algarah, Gorubathan and Dooars as sub divisions, Kalimpong district should be formed. For the same the GRNM will be initiating their programs in the month of April. Lastly Pakhrin said that if the district can be formed successfully then the people will benefit.

By Mukesh Sharma