Darjeeling, March 4: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha has renewed a recruitment drive for the Gorkhaland Personnel, a move that has drawn flak from political opponents who said Bimal Gurung’s party was scared that disillusioned hill youths might join Chhatrey Subba or any outfit that favours a statehood agitation.
The Morcha, its rivals alleged, was using a government job carrot to lure the youths to the GLP. The Opposition appealed to the hill people not to send their children to the GLP camps.
“We appeal to parents not to send their children to GLP camps where they are forced to stay in inhuman condition. They have to do menial jobs and are made to work in the fields, cut grass and look after cattle,” said ABGL spokesperson Pratap Khati.
The first leg of the recruitment was held at the Darjeeling Government High School ground on Saturday. Of the 250 youths who turned up, 175 were selected for the GLP after a “test” in physical fitness conducted by members of the ex-servicemen’s association affiliated to the Morcha.
Similar recruitment drives would be held in Kurseong, Kalimpong, Mungpoo, Mirik, Siliguri, Pangihata-Soureni and the Dooars this week.
Col (retd) Ramesh Allay, who is in charge of the GLP, said: “The final decision on the number of recruits will be taken by party president Bimal Gurung. We thought of going for a fresh GLP recruitment as the educated youths were going astray. What they lack is a disciplined life. If they join the GLP, it would help a long way in shaping their future.”
The GLP is a squad of lathi-wielding volunteers formed in 2008, initially to control crowds in Morcha meetings but later started indulging in moral policing as well. The Morcha claims that it has around 15,000 youths on the GLP rolls.
Many believe that is not the monthly remuneration of Rs 1,000-1,500 but the hope of a government job that is drawing so many youths to the GLP.
A clause in the memorandum of agreement signed by the Centre, state and the Morcha for the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration reads: “The GTA youth would be considered for recruitment to police, army and para-military forces subject to their suitability for such appointment.”
Morcha sources had said earlier that the Centre had objection to the use of the word “Gorkhaland Personnel”, as it was not a recognised body. Not only that, the Darjeeling police had registered many cases against the GLP for illegally occupying government buildings and wearing army fatigues. Under the circumstances, the “GTA” was incorporated in the pact to ensure jobs for GLP members.
Khati alleged that the young generation was “disillusioned” with the Morcha for giving up on statehood and signing the GTA. “It (recruitment drive) is an attempt to divert the youths. The Morcha is afraid that the youth may join Chhatrey Subba or any political party that is for statehood. So they are dangling the job carrot,” said Khati.
Dismissing the ABGL allegations, Allay said: “It is true that the Centre and even the state has agreed to recruit Gorkha youths. The party is pursuing the case but actual recruitment has not yet taken place.”
“We do not believe in violence and the GLP have been involved in rescue operations after the landslides and have worked to save forests and the society. The youths discourage people from indulging in vices like consuming alcohol,” said Allay. He claimed that the statehood agitation did not turn violent because of a disciplined GLP.(Telegraph)
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