Chamling requested the Mamata for forest clearance to construct an alternative highway from Siliguri to Gangtok

LACHUNG: Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling has requested the Mamata Banerjee government for forest clearance to construct an alternative highway from Siliguri to Gangtok.

"I have requested Mamataji for an no-objection certificate (NOC). I told her the alternative highway will be important for Sikkim as well as Darjeeling," Chamling told TOI. "An NOC from Bengal is also necessary for the construction of a rail link to Sikkim." The necessary NOC from the Bengal government is, however, still awaited.

The Sikkim government had earlier sent a plan for the alternative highway to the Centre since NH 31A from Siliguri to Gangtok is overused and often gets blocked due to landslides. But an NOC from the Bengal government is a must before the ministry of environment and forest gives the final approval.

The Sikkim government is mulling a new highway from Chalsa in north Bengal, connecting the existing NH 31A at Rongpo in Sikkim via Jaldhaka, passing through the Neora Valley forest in Bengal. The army had also favoured the proposal as it would improve road connectivity to strategically important east Sikkim. The proposed road would pass through four forests in Bengal and one in Sikkim.

Chamling was hopeful that the clearance won't be a problem now as he shares a better rapport with Mamata than her predecessor. After the September 18 earthquake, Mamata had visited Gangtok and on October 24, the two chief ministers met briefly at Bagdogra airport.

Chamling, who is now touring the earthquake-hit areas of north Sikkim, faced criticisms as roads links to Chungthang, Lachen, Lachung and the Dzongu area remained cut off for weeks after the tremor. "All the important roads in Sikkim, NH 31A, the North Sikkim Highway, the Nathu La Road and the Kuppup Road are maintained by the Border Roads Organization (BRO). A total of 873 kms of roads in Sikkim is maintained by the BRO. I have told both the DG BRO and the Chief Engineer BRO in Sikkim about the condition of these roads," Chamling said.

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Engineering students from Assam drown in Teesta that flows near the Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology

Sikkim/Gangtok, Oct. 28: Two third-year engineering students from Assam, out for a swim in the Teesta that flows near the Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology campus, died after being swept away by a strong current this afternoon.

Police said Kuntal Kashyap from Jorhat and Imanjal Gohain from Guwahati, had gone swimming along with their friends around 3pm near their institute campus at Majitar.

They were washed away for about 10-15 metres downstream by the river before alarmed friends and local people pulled them to the bank and rushed them to the nearest hospital at Singtam, where they were declared dead on arrival.

Kuntal, an only child, had passed HSLC in 2006 and CBSE from Kendriya Vidyalaya ONGC in 2008, before joining the institute for a degree in electronics and telecommunications. His father, Girin Das, an official of the department of industry and commerce, is posted at Nagaon, while mother Bino Devi, is a United Bank of India employee.

Debashish Bharali, Kuntal’s cousin, told The Telegraph this evening that parents of one of Kuntal’s classmates told them that he had met with an “accident and was serious”. “When our aunt (Kuntal’s mother) arrived from the bank, they said that they had received a phone call saying Kuntal was dead,” Bharali said. Kuntal’s mother fainted and had to be administered medicines.

Bharali said they were told that four students had gone to the riverside (Teesta) to click photographs when suddenly two of them fell into the river.

Guwahati resident Imanjal Gohain is the son of Sushil Buragohain, who retired last December as professor and head of the department of livestock production and management, College of Veterinary College, Guwahati.

On July 24, two students from the institute had drowned in the river.

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GJMM wants to provide Indian citizenship to nine lakh Nepalese-Asok Bhattacharya

SILIGURI, 27 OCT: Echoing the apprehension voiced by the Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad (ABAVP) leadership regarding the alleged GJMM stratagem to provide Indian citizenship to the Nepalese inhabiting the Dooars, the former urban development minister and a senior CPI-M leader, Mr Asok Bhattacharya, today said many such Nepali people had already managed Indian citizenship in the Dooars-Terai region by fraudulent means.
The ABAVP leaders have lodged a complaint with the chairman of the state government-appointed land verification committee, retired judge Mr Shyamal Sen recently, alleging that the ulterior motive behind the GJMM's land clamour in the Adivasi-majority region was to provide the nine lakh Bhupalese with the Indian citizenship by proxy. Lakhs of Nepalese settled in Bhutan, known as Bhupalese, were forced to move out of Bhutan in the 1980s after the kingdom-government tightened citizen rules in the country. Most of these people have settled in several areas across the Dooars over the years.
Mr Bhattacharya said many such people had already managed Indian citizenship over the past few years. “They have managed ration cards and voter’ identity cards by fraudulent means,” he said. “Recently I went to Nepal. I discovered that getting into Nepal is difficult. But it is too easy to obtain everything, including Indian citizenship,” he said.
Expressing concern over the trend, the president of a Bagdogra-based voluntary organisation, Jana Chetana, Dr DP Kar, said that apart from the Bhupalese, thousands of Nepalese were migrating, settling and managing Indian citizenship by various means.
“And the most amazing part of the story is the lackadaisical attitude of both the Centre and the state government over the matter. We are not demanding scrapping of the 1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty. We just want the Centre to implement the international treaty in its right spirit,” he said.
Another Malbazar-based voluntary organisation, Jana Jagaran, which has also lodged an objection with Mr Shyamal Sen regarding the GJMM’s land clamour in the Dooars, has challenged the legality of the land verification on the ground of the Extra Ordinary Gazette Notification issued by the Union home ministry in 1988.
“The state government’s decision amounts to negating the Notification which has clarified the status of the 1950 treaty beneficiaries as distinguished from the genuine Indian citizens,” said the outfit’s spokesperson, Mr Santanu Sarkar.
“This apart, the state government should have sought permission from the ITDP (Integrated Tribal Development Project) commissioner before moving to form the committee concerned,” he added. 

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क्रामाकपाले गर्यो न्यायिक जाँचको माग

कालेबुङ २४ हक्टोबर: डी के वाइबा

बिजनबारी घट्नाकाण्डमा परेका पिडीत परिवारहरु प्रति क्रामाकपा पर्टीले शोक व्यक्त गरेको छ। क्रामाकपा कालेबुङ आञ्चलिक समितिका सभापति किशोर प्रधानले आज पार्टी कार्यलयमा पत्रकारहरुलाई सम्बोधन गर्दै घटना दुखद्पूर्ण रहेको बताए। उक्त घट्नाकाणड कसरि भयो भन्ने बिषयमा न्यायिक जाँच हुनपर्ने पनि क्रामाकपाले माग गरेको छ। प्रधानले यस बिषयमा प्रशासनले न्यायिक जाँच गरेर घट्ना कसरी भयो भन्ने कुराको पत्तो लगाएर वास्तविक कुरा सार्वजनिक गर्नु पर्ने पनि तिनले माग गरे। तिनले यस बिषयमा पुलिस प्रशासनको पनि गल्ति रहेको बताउँदै पुलको अवस्था सोचनिय छ भनेर थाहा हुँदा हुदै किन मानिसहरुलाई त्यहाँ भिड हुन दियो भनि प्रश्न गरे। अर्कोतिर तिनले यसै क्रममा गोजमुमो प्रति पनि प्रहार गर्दै बिजनबारीमा जुन कार्यक्रम हुँदै थियो त्यसको प्रशासनबाट अनुमति थियो थिएन भन्ने पनि जाँच हुन पर्ने माग गरे। दार्जीलिङ पुलिस अधक्षकले बिजनबारीका ओ सीलाई सोकज दिंदैमा घट्नाको रहस्य पत्तो नहुने बताउँदै एउटा पुलिस कर्मीलाई सोकज दिएर घट्नाको वास्तवविकता ढाकछोप गर्नु नहुने पनि तिनले माग गरे। तिनले उक्त घट्नाकाण्ड गोजमुमोको कार्यक्रमको कारण भएको भनि आरोप लगाउँदै मोर्चा प्रमुख गुरुङले कसरी कलेजको शिल्यान्यस गरे भनि प्रश्न गरे। कलेजको शिल्यन्यस विधायक वा सांसद तथा कुनै प्रशासनिक अधिकारीले राख्नु पर्ने हो तर कुन आधारमा राखेका हुन् भनि प्रश्न गर्दे जुनसुकै कार्यलाई राजनीति गर्नु नहुने पनि तिनले माग गरे। अहिले ममता ब्यानर्जीले मरेका परिवारहरुलाई पैसा दिने घोषणा गरेर पिडीतहरुको पक्षमा रहेको बताएता पनि वास्ताविकमा भने पैसाको राजनीति गरेको पनि तिनले आरोप लगाए। उक्त घट्नाकाण्डको सहि तथ्य पत्तो लगाउँनु पर्ने माग गर्दै निकोल तामङ हराउँदा जसरी एउटा पुलिस कर्मीलाई शोकज दिएको थियो त्यस्तै घट्ना यहाँ दोहोरिनु नहुने पनि तिनले माग गरे।

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चुनाव प्राथमिक होइन पहिला राहत दिनुपर्छ – डा हर्कबहादुर

कालेबुङ २४ अक्टोबर : डी के वाइबा

भुँइचालोको पिडाबाट राम्रो संग छुट्न नपाई दार्जीलिङ पहाडका मानिसहरु बिजनबारीको हृदयबिदारक घट्नाबाट मर्माहत बन्न पर्यो। मादलको धिङताङमा भैलो र देऊसेका स्वरहरु गाउँदै नाच्न नसक्ने भयो बिजनबारीको यस पिडादायक घट्नाले। बजार भरी नै मानिसहरु बिजनबारीको घट्ना सम्झन्दै तिहारमा कुनै रौनकता नै नभएको कुराहरू गर्दै थिए। यता यस बिषयमा आज गोजमुमो नेता एंव कालेबुङका बिद्याक डा हर्क बहादुर छेत्रीले शोक व्यक्त गर्दै पिडीत परिवारहरु प्रति सहानुभुति व्यक्त गरे। बिजनबारीको घट्नाकाण्डमा जुन पिडा आज परिवार पक्षमा परेको छ वास्तवमा उक्त पिडा सम्पूर्ण पहाडवासीको हो भनि तिनले जनाए। यस बेला ति पिडीत परिवारहरु प्रति आफू सदैव साथमा रहेको पनि छेत्रीले जानए। तिनले यसै क्रममा कुराकानी गर्दै बिजनबारीको दुर्घट्ना ग्रस्त पूल उत्तर बङ्गाल बिकास मन्त्री गौतम देवले आफ्नो पक्षबाट राष्ट्रीय स्तरको संस्थानहरु संग सम्पर्क गरेर निर्माण गरिदिने आश्वासन दिएको पनि तिनले जनाए। अर्कोतिर गौतम देवले यस्तो पुलहरु पहाडभरि कति छन् त्यो सर्वेक्षण गरेर सरकारलाई रिपोर्ट बुझाउनु भनि जनाएको पनि तिनले जनाए। यसै अनुरुप यस पुल निर्माण कार्यको निम्ति यथाशिघ्र सर्वेक्षण हुने पनि तिनले जनाएका छन्। डा छेत्रीले कुनै पनि दुर्घटना भए पछि मात्र सरकारको होस आउने निति रहेको बताउँदै यसपल्टको सरकाले त्यस्तो निति नअप्नाएर अन्य स्थानको पुलहरु यथाशिघ्र निर्माणको निम्ति पहल गर्नु पर्ने पनि माग गरेको बातए। पहाडभरी यस्तो पुलहरु कति छन् त्यस बारेमा यथाशिघ्र सर्वे गरेर पहिलो भगमा २० वटा पुलहरुको सूचि सरकारलाई पठाउने पनि तिनले जनाए। आवश्यक परेको खण्डमा केन्द्र सरकारलाई पनि सहयोग माग्ने बताउँदै पुलहरुको सर्वेक्षण हप्तादिन भित्र शुरु गर्ने पनि तिनले जनाए। अर्कोतिर नगरपालीका चुनावबारे सोधिएको प्रश्नको जवाब दिंदै मोर्चाको निम्ति चुनावको मुद्दा प्राथमिक नरहेको जनाए। अहिले मानिसहरु आपत्कालको स्थितिमा रहेको कारण मानिसहरुलाई राहत दिनु पहिलो कर्तब्य रहेको बताउँदै चुनाव सरकारको बाध्यता मात्र हो भनि जानए। सोहि सन्दर्भमा यदि चुनाव भए मोर्चाकै जित निश्चित हुने पनि तिनले दाबी गरे। एकतिर भुँईचालोले मानिसहरु बैघर भएको समयमा चुनाव कुनै सम्या होइन भनि तिनले बताए। अर्कोतिर ग्राम पञ्चायत चुनावबारे प्रशन गर्दा तिनले जनसंख्या वृद्धिको कारण पञ्चायतको संख्या र खण्डहरको संख्या बृद्धि गर्नु पर्ने पनि तिनले बातए।

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According to the decision of the chief minister dr pawan chamling to repair...

SANJAY AGARWAL-RANGPO-23RD OCTUBER11

According to the decision of the chief minister dr pawan chamling   to
repair and to complete the under construction tourism infrastructures   in
the state the tourism department is working seriously and actively to fulfil
the decision and target. all the  damages structures of the department   by
the recent earthquake   may be complete along with the siddhaswar mandir the
newly constructed mandir is also  completed and going to inaugurate on 8th
november11.mr bhim dhungel addressing the programme at padamchay   Sikkim
also   asked that the earthquake occurred on 18th September  has learned
many more to the department and  government also. all the newly construction
works may be totally  earthquake proof .he strongly  condemned the  work
culture of some of the officers ,teachers ,literate persons   of east Pendam
area and pakyong area   blamed that via sms and face book the said  persons
has  not only oppose the  the government policy and decision but also panic
the general public  by sending the hoax sms like again coming of earthquake
and such type of false message. He warned that the list and name of such
type of persons is with the government and shall take strict action in
future if needed. he urged government teachers to give correct lessons to
the student .he asked that all the prediction regarding the earthquake is
totally false and baseless. as he is also in the charge of minister of
science and technology after earthquake he has discussed the matter with the
top scientist of IIT khargpur and rorkee.they asked that prediction is not
possible and till today no such type of appreatus is invented .regarding
Sikkim earthquake the scientist thanks the Sikkim government regarding the
plantation .due to huge plantation no such type of damage or persons dead by
seeing to the rector scale. Mr dhungel urged to plant more by seeing the
suggestation of the scientist.

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The relief material is donated by Thakur Dwar Trust of Delhi.

23rd October: The Chief Minister of Sikkim Pawan Chamling and the
Chief Minister of Delhi Smt. Shela Dixit flagged off two truck loads
of relief materials consistingof blankets and sleeping bags numbering
4800 from Delhi, today.  The relief material is donated by Thakur Dwar
Trust of Delhi.
The Chief Minister also met with the Union Minister for DONER Shri
B.K.Handique, today. During the meeting the Chief Minister discussed
the concept of North East Region being considered and declared as an
eco friendly zone. Further more, the Chief Minister also put forward
the concept of declaring whole of North East as an Organic Belt.
Besides this, the Chief Minister also emphasised the urgent need to
have an alternative highway from Gangtok to Siliguri. The Minister
DONER Shri Handique on his part agreed to the request of the Chief
Minister and assured to put the request of the Chief Minister on the
priority list of the projects.

23rd October: The Chief Minister of Sikkim Shri Pawan Chamling has
expressed his deep sorrow and anguish over the loss of lives due to
the collapse of bridge at Darjeeling, West Bengal, yesterday. In his
condolence message on behalf of the people of Sikkim to the bereaved
families of the deceased, the Chief Minister has asked them to be calm
to face this tragic incident and have faith in God. The Chief Minister
has also wished speedy recovery to those who have sustained injury
during the accident.

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Majhitar Sai Samity is an organization under Sri Satiya sai sewa samity Sikkim State.

MAJHITAR SAI SAMITY EXPRESSED GRATITUDE ON ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT.

Majhitar 24^rd Oct. 2011-Majhitar Sai Samity is an organization under Sri Satiya sai sewa samity Sikkim State. As such this samity has to follow all the guideline as per the directives of national level organization, which has name & fame globally in holistic approach to reform peaceful societies. The samity comprises of( a)-Spiritual wing( b)- education wing and( c).Service wing. Spiritual wing moreover concern with developing spiritual awareness in indivisual.Under education wing Bal vikash is running. Presently educare has been taken on priority to overcome superstitious belief in religious paddock. Sai samity believes on spirituality rather than ritualistic ideology of superstition. In this context balvikah students after motivated status of guardian/parents are increasing in number & now there are more than hundred students in  Majhitar Mandaly& twenty-six students in Khanikhola.In this connection we are lacking place to accommodate  all the Bal vikash students,devotees & local people for routine religious programme.owing to this status of samity with despondent in accommodating enthusiastic people even for good social cause, we had submitted an application to Honourable Chief Minister Govt. of Sikkim on 20-07-2011 during his village tour to East Sikkim. With the humble request to pass an order to allot piece of Land for constructing Sai Mandir at Majhitar.Accordingly , HCM endorsed  Ecclesiastical affairs Department Govt of Sikkim for needful action. Further this Department forwarded the original application to Secretary Horticulture & cash Crop Dev. Deptt.vide Ref No 927/EA Dt. 20/08/2011 for favor of taking necessary action and this Department connected with spirituality took prompt action. For this favorable action Sai amity expressed gratitude on the Deptt. But waiting for nearly two months & observing no prompt action Samity convener submitted one reminder letter to Secy Agri.  On 21 st Oct. 2011 for early action. On acceptance of letter Secy. assured to look into the theme.

As such Majhitar is gradually observing amplification in criminal activities along with other social evil like drug addiction in youngster, thiefing, etc.in this juncture Balvikash classes under SSSS Majhitar is the need of the hour to say over and over on good thing only so as to imprint holistic approach only indelibly in the tender brain of children in mass more than hundred presently. We are also organizing world environment day, anti drugs campaign, together with all the religious function & examination, sports meet of Balvikash meet of those students. But due to the lack of space we are unable to accommodate all of the students with their parents. so we would like to request Horticulture & Cash crop development department to spare at least 1500 Square feet of land opposite to Hotel High way in building at one side for constructing Sai mandir.

PRESSRELEASE BY-

Dr. D.S Tewari

Samity convener

Sai samity Majhitar East Sikkim. Cell mo-9434188300

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Mamata air-dashed to Darjeeling to assess the situation at Bijanbari bridge collapse-announced compensations

Kolkata/Siliguri, Oct 23 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today air-dashed to Darjeeling to assess the situation at Bijanbari, where a bridge collapse yesterday took 32 lives and injured more than 100 and announced Rs two lakh each to the families of those killed in the accident.

The Chief Minister accompanied by Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi, will visit North Bengal Medical College and Hospital to meet the injured people and then move straight to Bijanbari where rescue operation is still on looking for survivors.

North Bengal Development Minister Goutam Dev visited North Bengal Medical College and Hospital where more than a dozon injured were admitted in serious condition.

Mr Dev said initially there were shortages in the supply of blood but the problem was later sorted out by some NGOs which donated blood.

He said the government would bear all the medical expenses of the victims.

Inspector General of Police, North Bengal, Daniel Tsering Lepcha told UNI today so far 32 people were killed and nearly 100 injured when a wooden suspension bridge collapsed, hurling some 150 people nearly 60-foot down into river Rangit at 1830 hours last evening.

However, unconfirmed sources put the toll at 34.

Mamata announces compensations

 Darjeeling/ Siliguri, Oct 23: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today announced a slew of compensation ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 2,00,000 for the dead and injured in the bridge collapse at Bijanbari, while the toll in the saturday's incident rose to 33.

Ms Banerjee, who along with Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi and Union Minister for Health Sudip Bandopadhyay, said the incident was very unfortunate and government's announcement of monetary compensation was only on humanitarian ground.

The chief minister announced Rs 2,00,000 for the bereaved families, Rs 50,000 for seriously hurt, and Rs 25,000 for minor injury.

Besides these, the goverment will also bear the expenses of people admitted to differnt hospitals, she added.

Ms Banerjee visited the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital and after that she drove to Darjeeling to take a stock of the condition there.

Gorkha Janamukti Morcha president Vimal Gurung said the toll in bridge collapse incident at Bijanbari, connected to Chongtong and some 40 kms south of Darjeeling town, rose to 33 and many were still missing.

However, Inspector General of Police, North Bengal, Daniel Tsering Lepcha told UNI earlier in the day that 32 people were killed so far and 108 injured when a suspension wooden bridge collapsed, hurling some 150 people nearly 60-foot down into Rangit river at 1830 hrs on Saturday evening.

He said the details of the casualties were yet to be compiled officially due to logistical reasons.
--UNI

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East Sikkim tourism minister Mr. bhim dhungel has released the nepali video film PRAYASCHCHIT

SANJAY AGARWAL-RANGPO-23RD OCTUBER11

Between colourful cultural programme at padamchay  under rhenock
constituency in east Sikkim  tourism minister Mr. bhim dhungel has released
the nepali  video film PRAYASCHCHIT based on the prevention of environment  and
plantation .produced by Mr. B S Tamang and directed by Mr.  dipak adhikari
all the artist are from  Sikkim and suited also in the enchanting land of
Sikkim.90 minutes film  constructed at an cost of rs five lakhs Mr. satish
vasistha and miss sashi thatal  has played the key role in the film.
According to Mr. tamang producer of the film its totally based on pollution
control, preservation of environment and to aware about the plantation of
trees. with the students of several school of the area, teachers and school
heads, officers and staff of forest  department with several other   department
,local residents  was specially present during the premier show. between the
special presence of   Mr. b k Tewari chief conservator of forest,mr robin
sewa BDO namthang,mr J K bhandari member planning commission   as a special
guest  the film was displayed and was appreciated by everyone.mr
bhandari  member
planning commission appreciating the film urged to organised show  throughout
Sikkim to encourage and aware regarding the plantation.mr bhim dhungel
minister  addressing the function as a chief guest asked that first time in
the life he has shown full picture in big screen and  too much attracted the
film .he assured to organised show of this film state-wide and outside of
state also if possible  with the support of the department .

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Mamata Banerjee to visit the site of a bridge collapse in Bijanbari area of Darjeeling

Darjeeling (W.Bengal), Oct.23 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will visit the site of a bridge collapse in Bijonbari area of West Bengal's Darjeeling district on Sunday, a day after 30 people lost their lives in the incident. Several others were also injured in the mishap.

Banerjee would visit the area along with Railway Minster Dinesh Trivedi and Union Minister of State for Health Sudip Bandopadhyay.

The old wooden footbridge over a spring gave way under pressure of a crowd during a Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) meeting.

Chief Medical Officer Health (CMOH) of Darjeeling Subir Bhowmick said over 60 people were injured. He added that the seriously injured have been admitted to North Bengal Medical College Hospital at Siliguri and at the Darjeeling Hospital.

The Darjeeling district administration has said rescue operations are being conducted by fire brigade, police and the disaster management personnel.

The army has also been requested to send a team to help in the rescue operation.

An army spokesman said a 40-member team of the Mountain Brigade along with a medical team was on its way to Bijanbari at the request of the district administration.

North Bengal Development Minister Gautam Deb is supervising the rescue operations.

--ANI

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बिजनबारीको घटना जिल्लाभरि दोहोरिन सक्छ

मनोज वोगटी
कालेबुङ, 24 अक्टोबर।
बिजनबारीमा जुन घटना भयो त्यसले पहाडलाई नै स्तब्ध बनायो।  गीत सुन्न गएकाहरू दुर्घटनामा परे। धेरैको ज्यान गयो, धेरै घाइते बने।
 भुइँचालोको त्रासदी मेटिँदा नमेटिँदै बिजनबारीको घटनाले पहाडलाई नै शोकाकूल बनायो। पुलमा धेर मानिसहरू हिँडेकोले भार थाम्न नसकेर पुललाई बॉंधेको लट्ठा चुँडिएको बताइएको छ। पहाडमा यस्ता खाले पुलहरू धेरै छन्‌ जसको न त सरकारी मरम्मति नै हुने गरेको छ न त संरक्षण नै। जब दुर्घटना हुन्छ तब सरकारको मात्र होइन क्षेत्रबासीको पनि आँखा खोल्छ। बिजनबारीको पुल चुट्टिनु दुर्घटना थियो तर भर्खर गएको भुइँचालोले चर्काएको जमीन, बिल्डिङ अनि राजमार्गहरू कुन बेला तहस नहस हुने हो  केही भन्न सकिन्न। गोर्खा जनमुक्ति मोर्चाले यसबारे राज्य सरकारलाई मात्र होइन केन्द्र सरकारलाई पनि विस्तृत रिपोर्ट बुझाइसकेको छ तर राहत राशिहरूको अनुमोदन त परैजाओस्‌ घोषणा समेत भएको छैन। भुइँचालो गएको 35 दिन पुग्यो तर दार्जीलिङ जिल्लाभरि नै चर्किएका जोखिम क्षेत्रहरूमा भू-सर्वेक्षण भएको छैन। कुनै दिन ती क्षेत्रहरूमा व्यापक पैह्रो जाने अनि धेरै ज्यानमालको क्षति हुनसक्ने सम्भावना त त्रासदी अझ पनि रहेर बसेको छ। कालेबुङको भालूखोपलाई नै उदाहरणको निम्ति लिँदा हुन्छ। माथ्थिलोतिर शीरमा छ चर्किएको लोप्रोसी डॉंडा। तल्तिर छ दुइवटा गाउँ चाम्रा गोदाम र लमिनी गाउँ। जहॉंका मानिसहरू भुइँचालो आएदेखि चम्पामाया प्राथमिक पाठशालामा शिविर हालेर बसेका छन्‌। भुइँचालोले उनीहरूको घरलाई त उति प्रभाव पारेन तर जनजीवनलाई नै अस्तव्यस्त भने पारिदिएको छ।
उनीहरू शिविरमा बस्नुको कारण नै लोप्रोसी डॉंडा हो, जो भुइँचालोले व्यापक चर्काइदिएको छ। घर जाऊँ त लोप्रोसी डॉंडा कतिबेला पैह्रोमा रुपान्तर हुन्छ कुनै भरोसा छैन। जानीजानी मृत्युको मुखमा कोही पनि पर्न चहॉंदैनन्‌। जुन दिनदेखि दुइ गाउँका मानिसहरू शिविरमा छन्‌ त्यही दिनदेखि महकुमा प्रशासनलाई  क्षेत्रको भू-सर्वेक्षण गरिदिने अनुरोध गरिरहेका छन्‌ तर विभाग भने कानमा तेल हालेर बसेको छ। गाउँलेहरू अनुसार भू-सर्वेक्षण गरिदिए उनीहरू घर फर्किन सक्छन्‌। नत्र कतिबेला पैह्रो जाने हो भन्ने भय उनीहरूमा रहिरहन्छ नै। पीडितहरूले सरकारलाई भू-सर्वेक्षण गराइदेउ भनेर 35 दिन अघिदेखि अपील गर्दा पनि कानमा तेल हालेर बस्नु भनेको के हो? यसको एउटा सोझो अर्थ अघि आउँछ गाउँलेहरू घरघर जाउन्‌ अनि लेप्रोसी डॉंडामा पैह्रा जाओस्‌ अनि गाउँलेहरू पुरियोस्‌। विभागले यस्तो नसोंचेको हुनु हो भने क्षेत्रमा भू-सर्वेक्षण हुन्थ्यो अनि पीडितहरू रिपोर्टको आधारमा कि त घरमा फर्किन्थे कि त पीडितहरूलाई अन्यत्र पुनर्वास गराउन विभागीय पहल हुन कर लाग्थ्योे। त्यसैकारण राज्यपाल आउँदा पीडितहरूले मौका छोपिहाले। राज्यपाललाई दुःख बिसाएपछि राज्यपालले जिल्लापाल अनि महकुमा अधिकारीलाई क्षेत्रमा भू-सर्वेक्षण गर्ने निर्देश त दिए तर त्यो निर्देशलाई पालन गर्न कति समय लगाउने हो पत्तो छैन। विभागीय असंवेदनशीलता अनि हेल्चेक्राइँको कारण फेरि कुनै न कुनै दिन बिजनबारीमा झैं व्यापक ज्यानमालको क्षति हुने घटना हुन सक्दैन भन्न सकिन्न। कालेबुङको भालूखोप एउटा उदाहरण मात्र हो। राष्ट्रिय राजमार्ग पनि व्यापकरुपले चर्किएको छ। 2007 को सेप्टेम्बर महिनामा जिल्लाभरि पैह्रो गएको थियो। त्यसबेला जिल्लाभरि नै पैह्रो जान नसकेका ठाउँहरू चर्किएको थियो। चर्किएका ठाउँहरूको खोज अनि यसबाट बॉंच्नको निम्ति अहिलेसम्म पनि सरकारी कुनै पहल भएन। सेभ द हिल्सले त्यसबेला कुनै पनि समय पहाडको अस्तित्व पैह्रोको कारण नष्ट हुनसक्ने सम्भावना व्यक्त गरेको थियो। सेभ द हिल्सले यसबारे एउटा शोध रिपोर्ट पनि सावर्र्जनिक गरेको थियो भने सरकारका निकायमा पनि रिपोर्ट राखेको थियो। तर अहिलेसम्म नै सरकारले दार्जीलिङ जिल्लालाई न त पैह्रो असुरक्षित क्षेत्रको दर्जा दिएको छ न त यसको निम्ति छुट्टै कुनै योजना नै बनाएको छ। अहिलेसम्म सरकारले राहत केन्द्र कार्यालय नै पहाडमा खोलेको छ न त यसको निम्ति छुट्टै निकाय नै स्थापित गरेको छ। अहिले भुइँचालोले गाउँ-गाउँ नै चर्किएर गएको छ। शंखे र मन्दिर गाउँ नै चर्किएको छ। छेउमा नै रहेको आपते अझसम्म पनि उदाहरणकोरुपमा रहेको छ। आपतेको पैह्रोेेले गाउँनै लगेकोले आपते नाम बसेको थियो, जहॉं अहिले पनि पैह्रो जाने गरेको छ। शंखे र मन्दिर गाउँ पनि उसरी नै चर्किएको छ। त्यहॉंका गाउँलेहरू अनि पञ्चायत कर्मीहरूले गाउँलाई नै अन्यत्र सारे मात्र गाउँलेहरू जोखिमबाट टाडा रहनसक्ने अघिबाट नै बारम्बार बताइसकेका हुन्‌। तर उनीहरूको कुरा सुन्ने कसले? के निकाय भने घटना भएपछि दुइटुक्रा पोलिथिन बॉंड्‌नको निम्ति मात्र हो? जिल्लाभरि नै भालूखोप, शंखे र मन्दिर गाउँजस्ता अनेकौं गाउँहरू छन्‌, जहॉं कुनै पनि विभागले न त भू-सर्वेक्षण नै गरेको छ न त गाउँ र गाउँलेहरूको चिन्ता नै। यसकारण कुनै पनि समय बिजनबारीमा झैं ठूलो दुर्घटना हुने सम्भावना व्यापक छ। चिन्ता न त सरकारलाई छ, न त पार्टीलाई अनि न त बुद्धिजीवीहरूलाई।

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जीटीए, स्वीट्‌जरल्याण्ड, परिभ्रमण, आश्वासनः समस्या जस्ताको त्यस्तै

पहाडमा भुइँचालोले पारेको क्षति राज्य सरकारको लागि आश्वासनको निम्ति गतिलो मसला त छँदैछ, क्षतिग्रस्त दार्जीलिङ पर्यटक मन्त्रीहरूको निम्ति पनि पर्यटनको सुन्दर क्षेत्र बनेको छ। यसैकारण नै मन्त्रीहरू परिवार लिएर पहाड घुम्न आउनेहरूको संख्यामा वृद्धि हुने देखिएको छ। केही दिन अघि घुम्न आएका कृषि अनि व्यवसाय मन्त्री अरूप रोयले यहॉंको फूल र सिन्कोनालाई दिल्लीमा आउनेवर्ष हुने प्रदर्शनीमा राख्ने गतिलो घोषणा गरेर फर्किए। न त तिनले  किनारीकृत कृषकहरूको समस्या नै बुझे न त राज्य सरकारद्वारा उनीहरूको निम्ति दिइने सहुलियतहरूको नै कुरा गरे। अहिले मुख्यमन्त्रीदेखि प्रत्येक मन्त्रीसमेत पहाडमा आएर आश्वासनको खेती राम्रैसित गरिरहेका छन्‌। त्यसमा पानी हाल्ने काम भने जिल्लाका विधायकहरूले मनोयोग दिएर गरिरहेका छन्‌। आखिरमा जुनै मन्त्री आए पनि कालेबुङवासीले भने समस्याहरूबाट निजात पाउन सकेको छैन। कालेबुङको मुख्य समस्या भनेको नै पिउने पानीको रहेको छ। तर पानीको समस्या समाधान गर्छु भन्ने कुनै मन्त्री कालेबुङ आएनन्‌। अर्को समस्या छ डम्पिङ ग्राउण्डको। डम्पिङ बनाउन यति राशि अनुमोदन गरेका छौं भन्ने मन्त्री आएनन्‌। आश्वासन दिन पल्केका मन्त्रीहरू आधिकारिक भ्रमणमा आउँदा त आश्वासन दिन्छन्‌ नै पारिवारिक भ्र्रमणमा आउँदा पनि आश्वासन दिन भुल्दैनन्‌। हिजो  नगरपालिकाले डाकेको डम्पिङ समस्यामाथिको बैठकलाई सम्बोधन गर्दै महकुमा अधिकारीले डम्पिङ बनाउने पैसा नरहेकोले नगरवासीले हुनसम्मको समस्या भोग्न परिरहेको मात्र होइन टिस्टामा मैला फ्याक्नुपर्ने अपराधिक कार्य गर्नु परेको लाचारी पनि देखाइरहेका थिए। न त महकुमा अधिकारी न त विधायक कुनै पनि यति बलियो शक्ति उनीहरू हुन सकेका छैनन्‌ कि कालेबुङको मूल समस्या समाधानको निम्ति मन्त्री महोदयहरूलाई कालेबुङ ल्याउन सकियोस्‌। कुनै यस्तो गतिलो पार्टी छैन जसले कुनै पनि गतिलो योजना मूल समस्या समाधानको निम्ति राज्य सरकारबाट अनुमोदन गराउन सकोस्‌। आज घुम्न आएका राज्यपालसम्मले शीघ्र नै भुइँचालो पीडितहरूको समस्या समाधान हुने आश्वासन दिन छोडेनन्‌। भुइँचालो आएदेखि तिनी दुइपल्ट भयो पहाड चडेका। भुइँचालो पीडितहरू अझ पनि शिविरमा नै छन्‌ अनि उत्तिकै अवस्थामा छन्‌, कही पनि कुनै पनि परिवर्तन छैन। अघि आएर पनि त्यही आश्वासन तिनले दिएका थिए आज पनि त्यही दोहोर्‍याए। मुख्यमन्त्रीदेखि अन्य मन्त्री अनि आज राज्यपालसमेतले  आखिर पहाडप्रति कति इमान्दार सोंच राखेका छन्‌ भन्ने कुरा को उत्तर पहाडको जैसेथे-अवस्थाले दिइरहेको छ। यता सबैले दागोपापलाई अन्देखा गरिरहेका छन्‌। दागोपापमा आउने राशि आइरहेको छ, छैन। त्यसको प्रयोग भइरहेको छ छैन भन्नेबारे कसैले सोधेका छैनन्‌। अबको छ महिनापछि मोर्चाको हातमा जीटीए आउने छ, त्यसबेला राज्य सरकारका मन्त्रीहरुले गरेको आश्वासनको कुन अवस्था हुने हो पत्तोे छैन। जबसम्म प्रशासनिक शक्ति पहाडलाई पनि केही अंश जीटीएमार्फत हस्तान्तरण हुँदैन तबसम्म राज्यका मन्त्रीहरूलाई आश्वासन दिनु पर्ने जुन वाध्यता छ यसले पहाडका जनतालाई फाइदा कम नोक्सान धेर हुने छॉंटकॉंट देखिएको छ। यता मुख्यमन्त्री ममता व्यानर्जीले दार्जीलिङको तीन जिल्लालाई लिएर बनाइने स्वीट्‌जरल्याण्ड  यता डिफेक्टो स्टेटको स्टाटस भएको जीटीए, तर पहाडको समस्या भने जहीँको तहीँ। यता मन्त्रीहरूको अनेकौं विकासको आश्वासन अर्कोतिर विधायकहरूले बनाएको करोडौंको योजना, तर पहाडको अवस्था भने जस्ताको त्यस्तै। कालेबुङ नगरका नागरिकहरूले पिउने पानीको समस्या त्यसरी नै भोग्नु पर्ने अहिले नै छर्लङ्ग छ। त्यसरी नै मैलाको दुर्गन्ध सहनुपर्ने पनि स्पष्ट छ। किन भने स्थायीरुपले पिउने पानीको समस्या समाधान गर्न कसैसित पनि कुनै पनि योजना छैन जसरी डम्पिङको निम्ति छैन। कालेबुङको सरकारी अस्पताल जस्ताको त्यस्तै देखिने स्पष्ट छ अनि कालेबुङका बाटोहरू पनि ुउस्तै रहनेछन्‌। किन भने सबै समस्याहरूको स्थायी समाधान भयो भने न त दलहरूसित राजनीति गर्ने कुनै मुद्दा रहनेछ न त अधिकारीहरूलाई काम टाल्ने झञ्जट नै रहनेछ। अहिलेसम्म जो जो पनि मन्त्रीहरू आए सबैले नगर केन्द्रित विकासको कुरा गरे। सबैले ग्रामीण समस्यालाई भने अन्देखा गरे। सबैभन्दा ठूलो अन्देखा त गोरामुमो र गोजमुमो दुवै नै सरकारसित मिलेर ग्राम पञ्चायतलाई गरिदिएको छ, जसको कारण ग्रामीणस्तरमा कुनै पनि विकासका पहलहरू हुन सकेको छैन। राजनैतिक दलले पनि शहर केन्द्रित राजनीति नै ग्रामीण क्षेत्रलाई प्रयोग गर्दै गरिरहेको छ। यसैकारण उनीहरूलाई नगरपालिकाको चुनाउ गराउन हतार छ। पहाडको राजनैतिक दल, राज्य अनि केन्द्र समेत लागेर पहाडमा जुन कुटनीति चलाइरहेको छ, यसले भविष्यको दिनमा ठूलै विरोधी परिस्थितिको तयारी गरिरहेको पर्यवेक्षकहरूले अनुमान लगाएका छन्‌।

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The Gorkha Janamukti Morcha(GJM) under fire as the toll in S bridge collapse at Bijanbari valley rose to 34

Bijanbari/Siliguri, October 23/HT Correspondent:The Gorkha Janamukti Morcha, which is spearheading the statehood movement in Darjeeling, came under fire on Sunday as the toll in Saturday’s bridge collapse at Bijanbari valley rose to 34.
On Saturday afternoon, the frail suspension bridge over Chota Rangit river had collapsed during
a meeting of the GJM. Over 200 people standing on the bridge had hurtled down 65 feet below. More than 130 people were injured.

Most of the victims were women and children, who had gone to hear the address of GJM chief Bimal Gurung. 

The locals are fuming over the irrationality of organising the programme across the bridge. “They could have done it in Bijanbari town. Everyone knew the frail bridge would not support such a crowd,” said 30-year old Mingma Lama, who lost her elder brother and her niece.

On Sunday, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee announced an ex gratia of R2 lakh for the families of each of the deceased.

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Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling today expressed deep sorrow

Gangtok | Agency: PTI - Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling today expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives due to the bridge collapse in neighbouring Darjeeling district of West Bengal last evening.

In his condolence message on behalf of the people of Sikkim to the bereaved families, Chamling asked them to be calm to face this tragic incident and have faith in God.

The chief minister, who is in New Delhi now, also wished speedy recovery to those who have sustained injury during the accident.

At least 34 persons were killed and about 50 injured when an old wooden footbridge over a spring gave way under the pressure of a crowd during a Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) meeting at Bijanbari in Darjeeling district.

Meanwhile, Chamling and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit today flagged off from Delhi two truck of relief materials for the earthquake hit people of Sikkim, official sources said here.

The relief materials were donated by Thakur Dwar Trust of Delhi.

Chamling also called on DONER Minister BK Handique and discussed with him several projects of Sikkim, the sources said.

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