Statehood movement likely to gain momentum in Dooars

While the Hills is boiling with the statehood movement, Terai-Dooars regions have remained relatively quite calm till date. The situation in these areas during the pre-GTA statehood movement had been quite contrary to what is being seen at present. The Dooars stood witness to many incidents of violence during the 2008 -2011 period, including communal clashes. The violence took the lives of three men, namely Akbar Lama, Vicky Lama and Sunil Mandal.
The renewed statehood agitation that surfaced after the announcement of a Telangana state has not made much of an influence in the Dooars yet.
However, the GJM’s good performance in the recently-held Panchayat polls in the region has bolstered the spirit of GJM supporters. They foresee a high possibility of the movement gaining unprecedented momentum. The GJM is likely to soon start organising candlelight and torch rallies and hunger strikes.
Dooars GJM central committee member Laxmi Mangar said the party will launch a democratic movement and adopt a slew of political programmes. She said, “If Telangana can be conceded, why can’t our 107-year-old demand be approved too?”(EOI)