GJM is deviating from main agenda of statehood: GRNM

KALIMPONG

27 Sep 2013

Gorkhaland Rajya Nirman Morcha president Dawa Pahkrin today said the deviation of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha from its main agenda of separate statehood will make it easier for the state government to suppress the movement.

Addressing a press conference at the party office, Pakhrin accused the GJM leadership of shelving the statehood issue and weighing the options of Union Territory status, the GTA or even a merger with Sikkim.

He said, “Recent talks with the centre have brought out a Union Territory status as a possible solution. If the GJM keeps looking for alternatives, the importance of statehood will cease to command any importance.”

Pakhrin said the GRNM plans to organise demonstrations in Delhi in December to take the issue of Gorkhaland forward. “We will start demonstrations from December 2 in New Delhi under the banner of the Federation of New States,” he said, adding the GRNM would organise Gorkhaland-centered programmes in the national capital.

The GRNM president also condemned the policy taken up by the state government to suppress the ongoing agitation and blamed it for creating unnecessary problems in the hills by deducting salaries of government employees.

He recalled the agitation launched by the Trinamool Congress against the erstwhile Left Front government pointing out the latter never deducted the salaries of TMC employees.

“The Left Front government did not cut salaries of statehood supporters here during the 1986 agitation. All government employees should submit a deputation to the government demanding it to withdraw the move,” said Pakhrin.

Further, the GRNM chief condemned the TMC-led state government of adopting a dictatorial attitude towards hill residents and urged for the immediate and unconditional release of all those under arrest.