Gurung happy with talks; says Gorkhas can’t live without Gorkhaland

Gorkha Janamukti Morcha chief Bimal Gurung has expressed satisfaction over the just concluded bipartite and tripartite meetings between his party and the state and central governments in Kolkata. Gurung, who is presently camped in Kurseong, said since both the people and government want development of the hills, the GTA should be allowed to run freely and without undue interference.
He said the establishment of a central university and an IIT in Darjeeling would generate job opportunities for unemployed youths besides benefiting students. At the same time, the GJM chief stressed the state government must not renege on its promises of ushering in development projects.
Urging GTA members to work with diligence, Gurung said, “I am giving only two years to them (GTA sabhashads) to work hard and make Darjeeling as wonderful as Switzerland. This is actually chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s dream and to realise it, she must support the GTA.”
Speaking about the Rs553-crore fund to the GTA from the state government, he said it will “change the hills” and generate more employment.
Responding to a question on the statehood demand, Gurung said, “Gorkhas cannot survive without a separate state. We are not dropping the demand but moving as per the situation. Our party is building a strategy for it.”
The GJM chief also did not forget to demand unconditional release of GJM leaders and supporters who are still in jail since the latest struggle for statehood. Since the party has sidelined the agitation and reverted to the GTA, it is quite likely that those under detention will be released in no time.
On the issue of deep fissures being created in the GJM support base by the TMC and GNLF, Gurung said he has instructed leaders of all ranks to launch a “Gaon pasa abhiyan” (enter villages campaign). The party chief himself has been paying visits to several rural areas and interacting and encouraging leaders and supporters.
While he had camped in Kalimpong for several days a week ago, the GJM chief is presently in Kurseong to oversee party activities. (HS)

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