Siliguri, 19 August: The former state urban development minister and senior CPI-M leader, Mr
Asok Bhattacharya, today asked the state government to release the
Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM) leaders and activists who have recently
been arrested in connection with the old cases immediately on bail.
“We strongly condemn the way the police are arresting the GJMM activists. Even the elected Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) members are not being spared. Around 600 GJMM activists, including a number of GTA members, have so far been arrested,” Mr Bhattacharya said.
“This indiscriminate arrest spree has revived the memory of the black days under the Emergency. The state government should release those arrested at least on bail,” Mr Bhattacharya further said.
Citing a clause in the GTA agreement that provides for withdrawal of all the cases slapped against the GJMM excepting those related to murders, the Marxist leader said the police are arresting them on the basis of the old cases.
“This signifies flagrant violation of the tripartite agreement,” he added.
Mr Bhattacharya further said the GTA members should be given a free hand to select the next chief executive in tandem with the rules as laid down in the agreement.
He asked the GJMM to refrain from calling bandhs, blockade or janata curfew.
He suggested the Governor, Mr M K Narayanan calls both the GJMM and the state government to a dialogue to resolve the stalemate.
“We strongly condemn the way the police are arresting the GJMM activists. Even the elected Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) members are not being spared. Around 600 GJMM activists, including a number of GTA members, have so far been arrested,” Mr Bhattacharya said.
“This indiscriminate arrest spree has revived the memory of the black days under the Emergency. The state government should release those arrested at least on bail,” Mr Bhattacharya further said.
Citing a clause in the GTA agreement that provides for withdrawal of all the cases slapped against the GJMM excepting those related to murders, the Marxist leader said the police are arresting them on the basis of the old cases.
“This signifies flagrant violation of the tripartite agreement,” he added.
Mr Bhattacharya further said the GTA members should be given a free hand to select the next chief executive in tandem with the rules as laid down in the agreement.
He asked the GJMM to refrain from calling bandhs, blockade or janata curfew.
He suggested the Governor, Mr M K Narayanan calls both the GJMM and the state government to a dialogue to resolve the stalemate.
Biman questions TMC over panchayats & Hills
Kolkata, 19 August
Even as reports of Left Fr ont nominees being prevented by Trinamul Congress activists from forming the board at the different panchayat samities are reaching the Front leadership, Left Front chairman Biman Bose today referred to such incidents as “dangerous signals to democracy”. Speaking in the same breath, the Front chairman questioned the intent and methods of the state government in tackling the ongoing agitation in Darjeeling and suggested the government arrange a tripartite meeting to resolve the issue peacefully.
“Our representatives are being prevented from forming boards in the panchyat samities even where the Front nominees are in the majority,” Mr Bose said. Tracing the beginning of the obstruction process, from the Front nominees being prevented from submitting their nomination in the rural polls, Mr Bose felt that the present state of affairs in the rural areas is a culmination of undemocratic practices.
“The incidents of the hurling of bombs at the houses of Front nominees, snatching their caste certificates away, and driving away the polling and counting agents that were part of this year’s panchayat election was unprecedented in the seven previous rural elections,” he claimed. “The attacks of TMC goons on Front activists are being aided by some policemen who owe allegiance to the ruling party,” Mr Bose said.
“Our representatives are not even being allowed to take oaths,” he added.
Accusing the state government of not being serious about solving the Darjeeling problem within a short time, Mr Bose said that an initiative should be taken to arrange a meeting between the state government, Union government and Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha to solve the imbroglio. “After all, these parties had been signatories to the formation of the Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA),” he pointed out.
“The present methods will in no way solve the Darjeeling problem,” Mr Bose added. (SNS)
Even as reports of Left Fr ont nominees being prevented by Trinamul Congress activists from forming the board at the different panchayat samities are reaching the Front leadership, Left Front chairman Biman Bose today referred to such incidents as “dangerous signals to democracy”. Speaking in the same breath, the Front chairman questioned the intent and methods of the state government in tackling the ongoing agitation in Darjeeling and suggested the government arrange a tripartite meeting to resolve the issue peacefully.
“Our representatives are being prevented from forming boards in the panchyat samities even where the Front nominees are in the majority,” Mr Bose said. Tracing the beginning of the obstruction process, from the Front nominees being prevented from submitting their nomination in the rural polls, Mr Bose felt that the present state of affairs in the rural areas is a culmination of undemocratic practices.
“The incidents of the hurling of bombs at the houses of Front nominees, snatching their caste certificates away, and driving away the polling and counting agents that were part of this year’s panchayat election was unprecedented in the seven previous rural elections,” he claimed. “The attacks of TMC goons on Front activists are being aided by some policemen who owe allegiance to the ruling party,” Mr Bose said.
“Our representatives are not even being allowed to take oaths,” he added.
Accusing the state government of not being serious about solving the Darjeeling problem within a short time, Mr Bose said that an initiative should be taken to arrange a meeting between the state government, Union government and Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha to solve the imbroglio. “After all, these parties had been signatories to the formation of the Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA),” he pointed out.
“The present methods will in no way solve the Darjeeling problem,” Mr Bose added. (SNS)
Post a Comment
We love to hear from you! What's on your mind?