Demand for Gorkhaland constitutional says JMM

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha has come out in support of the demand for Gorkhaland saying it is constitutional. JMM Nagarakata block unit chairman Dilip Nayak said, “The demand for statehood is constitutional and we fully support the GJM in their quest. The ongoing agitation in the Darjeeling Hills is the voice of the general public.”

He added the statehood agitation in the 80s under the leadership of Subhas Ghising was violent, but the ongoing one spearheaded by the GJM is peaceful. The whole country is witnessing the agitation in the Darjeeling Hills, remarked Nayak.

The JMM leader further said his party will demand for an Adivasi Territorial Administration (ATA), similar to the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration since the Dooars-Terai region has been kept away from the path of development.

He said the steps being taken by the state government to suppress the Gorkhaland agitation indicate its real intention and will only lead to violence. The ongoing agitation in the Hills is for the identity of the Gorkhas, noted Nayak, adding the JMM contested in the rural polls in the Dooars by forging an alliance with the GJM and would do the same in its demand for an ATA.(EOI)