GJM, CPRM supporters unite under Gorkhaland chant

Supporters of both the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxist today converged at Chowk Bazaar shouting slogans demanding statehood. Observers see the development a welcome one for the ongoing agitation, one that heralds the onset of a mass uprising in the Hills against the state government.

The crowd of GJM supporters at the Chowk Bazaar premises was taken by surprise when CPRM youths holding party flags appeared at the scene chanting slogans. The entire area soon burst into cheers suggestive of a bonhomie building up between the two rivals even as the air filled with shouts of “We want Gorkhaland, we don’t want GTA!”

On any other day, the very idea of sharing the same venue with the GJM would have been next to impossible for rival parties as on many occasion in the past, the latter have had to face obstructions from GJM cadres whenever they tried to occupy public forums.

GJM president Bimal Gurung has appealed to the Opposition to work together for the separate statehood demand forgetting political differences.

CPRM central committee member Sekhar Chhetri said, “We too want a unified struggle for Gorkhaland, but those in power must take the initiative. It was coincidental today that we too had our programme. Even so, we have no problem at working together for the sake of our common aspiration of a separate state.”

GJM and CPRM cadres hoisted their respective party flags and  thumped each other’s backs even as some bare-bodied GJM youths rolled on their backs all the way from Kakjhora to the town’s centre.

Addressing a massive gathering later, GJM assistant secretary Binay Tamang lauded the CPRM for joining in the protests and urged other rivals to converge on a common platform. “It is good to see the CPRM coming forward for the Gorkhaland movement keeping political differences aside. We appeal to other political parties to also work together,” said Tamang amid loud cheers of appreciation.

Meanwhile, all political parties here want the GTA setup scrapped even as they welcome the GJM’s initiative to launch a fresh agitation for the statehood cause.  “It is good the GJM leadership has started the movement but its call for a unified struggle can only be considered if the GTA is cast away and all elected members resign from their posts,” remarked All India Gorkha League working president Laxman Pradhan.

It may be recalled Bimal Gurung resigned from the post of GTA chief executive the day the centre approved the formation of a Telangana state. The 45 GTA Sabha members have also resolved to resign at an opportune time to take forward the separate statehood issue.(EOI)

CPRM joins Morcha in hill march,Women shave heads in statehood ‘sacrifice’

Darjeeling, Aug. 8: Over 100 supporters of the CPRM took out a rally in Darjeeling today in support of the ongoing agitation for Gorkhaland and joined a procession of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha in a show of unity by the two rival parties for the first time.

The Morcha today organised several processions. During one such march, eight women got their heads tonsured, a differently-abled person tried to burn himself and a youth etched a “map” of Gorkhaland with a blade on his back.

Ramayanti Rai was among the eight women who shaved their hair at Chowk Bazar. She said: “For a woman, the hair is considered an ornament, an asset. We have tonsured our hair today to send a message that we are ready to sacrifice everything for the cause of Gorkhaland.”

Observers believe the protests that Darjeeling witnessed today would pressure Morcha president Bimal Gurung to harden his position on statehood.

The joint rally today happened days after Gurung asked all parties in the hills to fight for Gorkhaland together.

The CPRM workers joined the Morcha supporters at Chowk Bazar. The Morcha supporters present at the market square cheered the CPRM workers.

Shekar Chhetri, a CPRM executive member who was leading the rally, said: “We have also decided to come out in support of the Gorkhaland movement. It’s the people’s aspiration which cannot be ignored by anyone. The party in power (Morcha) will definitely have to take the lead but we, too, will not sit quiet.”

Morcha leader Binay Tamang thanked the CPRM for participating in the rally. “We thank the CPRM for taking part in the rally. It’s time for everyone to come out on the streets to fulfil the demand for Gorkhaland. The CPRM has proved that the community is bigger than the party and such emotions will keep us united in our fight.”

Barbers shaved off women’s hair after the combined rally of the Morcha and the CPRM culminated at Chowk Bazar.

In an emotionally-charged atmosphere, Phurba Sherpa, who had lost his left hand in an accident some years ago, wrapped a cloth around his right hand and tried to set it on fire. Sherpa and other Morcha supporters were moving towards the district magistrate’s office in a procession. Others in the rally immediately doused the flames even though Sherpa’s hand has been burnt. He has been admitted to the Darjeeling Sadar hospital.

“I had made up my mind to self-immolate for the cause of statehood. But some people doused the fire. I do not regret the incident,” said Sherpa, 32.

In another rally, Nagen Subba, the president of the Gorkha Janmukti Vidyarthi Morcha (Lebong constituency), used a blade to etch a map of Gorkhaland.

“In Telangana, the students had actively taken part in the agitation for statehood. We want to show that the students of this region are also participating in the agitation,” said Subba, 29

(The Telegraph)