GNLF fest spoilt, finger at Morcha - Ghisingh’s supporters pelted with stones

Siliguri/Darjeeling, April 5: The GNLF could not hold its foundation day celebration in the hills today as rival Gorkha Janmukti Morcha supporters descended on venues and allegedly pelted Subash Ghisingh’s followers on their way to a meeting with stones.

Ghisingh’s party, which accused the administration of indifference, had to content itself with a programme at Panighata in the plains under the watchful eyes of police.

In Mirik and Garidhura, in Kurseong subdivision, GNLF supporters were outnumbered as mobs wielding Morcha flags blocked the way to the venues.

The GNLF had planned to hold public meetings in both the locations. The party, however, could observe a low key foundation day at Borbotey near the Rock Gardens in Darjeeling.

Police sources said around 9.30am, when a truck carrying 100-odd GNLF supporters was on its way to Garidhura, around 25km from Siliguri, a mob allegedly made up of Morcha supporters pelted the vehicle with vehicles as it reached Longview.

“Morcha supporters were carrying sharp weapons and even kerosene oil and intended to set fire to our vehicle. We had ladies with us and had to run away for our safety,” claimed GNLF leader Nima Lama.

“The on-duty police personnel did nothing to stop the Morcha supporters, who coerced us into leaving the spot. The Morcha had planned to spoil our meeting and the party could because of police inaction.”

The GNLF had obtained permissions from the administration to hold meetings in Garidhura, Mirik and Borbotey. To counter the GNLF’s celebrations in Garidhura, the Gorkha Janmukti Yuva Morcha had planned to hold a puja there.

With the meeting cancelled in Garidhura, nearly 400 GNLF supporters made their way to Panighata, 10km away and in the plains, to complete their foundation day celebration. They demonstrated in front of the Panighata outpost, accusing the police and the administration of being indifferent. They also burst crackers as part of the foundation day celebrations.

Reacting to the allegation, N.N. Bhutia, the sub-divisional police officer of Kurseong, said: “The police had done their job of maintaining law and order. Apprehending tension, heavy police personnel were deployed in Garidhura and Mirik. There was tension in these areas in the morning but we could bring the situation under control. The GNLF has held its function at Panighata.”

At Mirik — 55km from Siliguri — too, the GNLF meeting was scuttled. Over a thousand Morcha supporters assembled near the Byabsayee Community Hall, preventing the GNLF members from entering. “We got outnumbered soon and had to leave the place to prevent any clash or unpleasant situation. The police did not come to help though we had permission for the meeting. However, we could hold a programme outside Mirik later,” said Arjun Chhetri, a GNLF leader of Mirik unit.

Pemu Chhetri, a GNLF leader who had contested the last Assembly polls from Kurseong, said the party had filed two police complaints against Morcha workers who had allegedly launched the attacked at Garidhura.

“The Morcha leaders resorted to violence yet they speak of democracy. They are scared that people might turn to us and speak in favour of the Sixth Schedule. We feel the Sixth Schedule status is a better arrangement than the GTA (Gorkhaland Territorial Administration).”

He said Sukhbahadur Ghisingh and Dhurba Lama had been injured in the stone attack. They are under treatment at Mirik hospital.

The Morcha has blamed the administration for the violence that marred the GNLF celebrations. “Without understanding the ground realities, the administration permitted the GNLF to hold meetings in Garidhura and Mirik. This led to tension among the local people who have several grievances against the party,” said Morcha assistant secretary Binay Tamang. “Our leaders tried to control the mob and maintain peace in these areas but the outburst among the people was intense.”(The Telegraph)