Word on safe hill return for rivals

VIVEK CHHETRI

Darjeeling, June 19: The Darjeeling district administration today said it would facilitate the return of Opposition leaders and activists who were hounded out of the hills by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha in the last four years if they write to the authorities.

“We are duty bound to facilitate the return of anybody who wants to come back to the hills. They should make a written submission stating their desire to return,” said Darjeeling district magistrate Saumitra Mohan.

He gave the assurance in response to a memorandum submitted by the CPM earlier in the day. The CPM said even though it had welcomed the state government’s decision to conduct elections in the hills, the party wanted the administration to ensure the homecoming of those who had been forced to flee their homes.

“You are aware that under pressure and threat of GJM many residents and voters of Darjeeling Hills are being compelled to stay outside of their residence. These residents should be allowed to come back and stay at their own residences. For that administration should carry out the responsible tasks,” reads the memorandum signed by Jibesh Sarkar, the district secretary of the CPM.

More than 40 prominent GNLF leaders were forced to leave the hills since the Morcha started the statehood agitation in October 2007. Many CPM lower rung leaders, too, have left the hills and are staying in Siliguri fearing attacks from Morcha supporters.

“We demand that the GTA elections be conduced in a free and fair way and the administration should ensure that a democratic atmosphere prevails in the hills so that all political parties can function without being intimidated,” said Saman Pathak, a former CPM MP who led the delegation.

Houses of several GNLF leaders were either burnt down or vandalised after a Morcha activist Pramila Sharma had been killed by a bullet fired form the house of then Darjeeling GNLF branch committee president Deepak Gurung in July 25, 2008.

A lot of GNLF leaders, including chief Subash Ghisingh, left the hills in the wave of attacks carried out by the Morcha members.

Morcha general secretary Roshan Giri refused to comment on the DM’s statement.(TT)