‘Ghar bhitrai janata’ agitation not applicable in GTA Terai, No to Gorkhaland movement in Dooars: AVP

The Terai areas of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration need not observe the ‘ghar bhitrai janta’ (people remaining indoors) agitation, the Gorkhaland Joint Action Committee today decided during its meeting in Darjeeling.

GJM Mirik unit vice president Hari Niraula said, “Since there are political parties in the plains that are against Gorkhaland, it will not be possible to urge all people to remain indoors.”

Tea garden workers will be working as usual and GJM leaders here have left the decision on remaining indoors on the people. However, the programmes of forming a human chain, rallies and other activities would be organised within the Terai GTA areas, informed Niraula.

He said a human chain will be formed from Kadma More to Panighatta with statehood supporters wearing black bands and holding placards, while rallies will be taken out from Lohagarh, Nepania Busty, Chenga, Potong, Sukna, Garidhura, Simulbari and other places in the Terai.

On the other hand, the Trinamool Congress has appealed to the people to come out of their homes as usual and also assured businessmen of adequate security.

Panighatta TMC leader Kishor Pradhan said, “We are against the ‘ghar bhitrai janta’ and want people to do as they want. No one has right to snatch the freedom of the people.”

No to Gorkhaland movement in Dooars: AVP

The Adivasi Vikash Parishad today held a meeting at the Adivasi Sanskritik Tathya Kendra in Nagarkata and came up with the decision to oppose the Gorkhaland agitation in the Terai-Dooars region.

Among those present were AVP Dooars regional committee president Parimal Lagun, general secretary Rajesh Lakra, PTWU leader Louis Honspurti and the JMM’s newly elected Panchayat members Anil Ekka and Ramu Ekka.

Lakra said the organisation would support the strike called by the Bangla O Bangla Bhasa Bachao Committee on August 19. He said, “If the GJM starts its Gorkhaland struggle in the Terai-Dooars, we will be forced to come out on the roads like we did in 2008. As far as the steps being taken by the government to suppress the statehood movement is concerned, we are on the government’s side.”

According to information, the Terai-Dooars AVP will send a letter opposing Gorkhaland to chief minister Mamata Banerjee. It will also dismantle its old committee and form a new one comprising youth and women wings.

Lakra further said, “The Gorkhaland agitation will not be tolerated in the Terai-Dooars. We don’t want Gorkhaland movement to come down here from the Hills.”

Notably, the GJM and JMM had formed an alliance to contest the Panchayat polls. Top leaders of the JMM had even declared that Gorkhaland agitation would not be opposed in the Dooars. But with two JMM Panchayat members joining the AVP’s anti-Gorkhaland stance, a new face-off seems imminent in the region.(EOI)