‘Dormant’ GNLF stirs in Kalimpong to startle GJM

KALIMPONG

23 Oct 2013

The Gorkha National Liberation Front, which had hitherto maintained a distance from active politics, today created a stir when supporters gathered in front of the party office at 10 mile phatak. They shouted slogans supporting party chief Subhash Ghising and demanded Sixth Schedule status.

GNLF supporters were seen putting up party flags across town to create quite a stir among residents. As news of this spread, GJM supporters too gathered themselves at their party office and headed towards 10 mile phatak. But the GNLF supporters had already dispersed by then. Some GJM cadres tried to tear up GNLF flags, but were restrained by a police force under the leadership of OC Achinta Gupta.

The officer urged the GJM activists to refrain from indulging in anything that could disrupt the prevailing peace. The administration also deployed the CRPF at the 10 mile area to thwart any untoward incident.

Speaking to reporters later, GNLF ward no 8 convener Sagar Rai said they had supported the GJM when it headed the statehood agitation, but as the latter returned to the GTA, the GNLF now wants to push with its demand for Sixth Schedule status.

He said, “When the GJM started the Gorkhaland agitation, we participated in it with full support. But as the GJM wants to keep running the GTA, we have decided to call it quits. Statehood can also be achieved through the Sixth Schedule as it is constitutionally valid unlike the GTA.”