GNLF to observe Sixth Schedule agreement day on Dec 6

If the TMC held a public meeting in Soureni Bazaar on Sunday, it was the turn of the Gorkha National Liberation Front today.

Amid slogans such as ‘Subash Ghising zindabad’ renting the air, the women’s wing of the GNLF held a public meeting where speakers claimed the party has once established itself as a force to reckon with in the Darjeeling hills.

GNLF Kurseong branch coordinator Nima Lama announced the Sixth Schedule agreement day will be observed on December 6 at a function in Kurseong where party supremo Subash Ghising will be present. He also urged everyone to attend the programme dressed in traditional attire.

Lama hailed Ghising as the most sincere among leaders in the hills and accused other leaders of being greedy for money and power. Stressing on the need to enlighten the public about the benefits of the Sixth Schedule status, the GNLF leader said it will be granted in no time if people step out in support.

GNWO Kurseong branch coordinator Tshering Dahal said the culture and traditions of the Gorkha community are fast eroding and only Ghising’s intervention would safeguard them from disappearing. Commenting on the bipartite and tripartite meetings on November 20 and 21 on the Gorkha Territorial Administration, she said, “Neither Kolkata nor Delhi will be able to protect the hill people and only the constitutionally-recognized Sixth Schedule can do so.”

Dahal further said, “The GTA is a setup for running petty contractual works and Ghising discarded such a setup way back in 2005.”

The GNWO leader further slammed the GJM terming its Gandhism to be “Gandhi in currency notes” while noting a community is larger than any “Gandhivadi” political party. She also criticised the hill TMC and suggested the leaders should request Mamata Banerjee to speak for constitutional protection of the Gorkhas.

The meeting held at the Soureni community hall also saw new members from rival parties joining the GNLF. Notable among them were Mirik CPM leader MK Tamang and GJM leaders Mira Rai and DB Subba.(EOIC)