Plains organisations demanding restoration of democracy in Hills

A joint press release in relation to the ongoing Gorkhaland agitation was today issued by an umbrella body of 10 Siliguri-based organisations.
The signatories comprise the Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR-Siliguri), Bondimukti Committee (BMC-Siliguri), All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), Students Youth Against Social Injustice (SYASI-North Bengal University), Krantikari Naujawan Sabha (KNS), Indian Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU), Paschimbanga Krishak Sava (Darjeeling Dist), Revolutionary Youth Association (Darjeeling Dist), All India Agricultural Labour Association (Darjeeling Dist)  and Guardians’ Forum of North Bengal.
The press release has stated six demands have been placed, including immediate withdrawal of paramilitary forces from the hills and release of all political prisoners arrested in connection with the agitation.
The joint statement reads, “Demand for separate statehood comes from people’s democratic aspiration and is altogether a political issue.”
The signatories have appealed to the government to deal with the movement in a democratic and political manner instead of resorting to repressive and coercive measures.
While demanding restoration of democracy in the hills, the organisations have condemned the state government for its highhanded attitude in dealing with the democratic voices of the people throughout the state. “A majority of democratic movements have been under state repression, be it the movements in Singur, Nandigram, Posco, Kalinganagar, Lalgarh, Nonadanga or the identity movement in the Hills,” noted the release.
The organisations criticised the state government for banning local cable channels, rampant arrests of activists, issuing a 72-hour ultimatum and deployment of a huge security force, among others.
They said, “These repressive measures are only prone to create unrest in the hills. Repression can never be a method to deal with a democratic demand and the democratic aspirations of the people of Darjeeling should be addressed democratically.”
The 10 groups have also stressed on maintaining communal harmony in the region. Accusing the government of denying people a democratic space, they said, “While the state is constantly trying to curb the democratic space and resort to autocratic measures, we feel it is high time to come together and raise our voice to preserve communal harmony and democracy.”
The umbrella organisation today submitted a joint deputation to the SDO-Siliguri to be forwarded to the chief minister, while a copy of the deputation has also been faxed to the state Hills Affairs Ministry. The joint body will also take up other programmes on the issue, starting with visits to correctional homes to meet those under arrest. (EOIC)