Darjeeling - Sikkim

Bridge collapses near Darjeeling injuring and killing many

2011-10-22T18:42:00.000-07:00

Darjeeling, Oct. 22: A bridge packed with a festival crowd caved in near Darjeeling town this evening, killing at least 27 people when the wooden walkway tumbled 150ft into a swift-flowing river.

Police sources said nearly 80 people were injured in the 7pm collapse in Bijanbari, about 40km from Darjeeling town.

Most of those on the bridge — suspended by steel cables over the Little Rangit — were Gorkha Janmukti Morcha supporters who had gathered for a cultural programme organised by the outfit as part of its five-day festival in the hills. Today was the festival’s last day.

Darjeeling district magistrate Saumitra Mohan said at least 27 people were killed in the collapse. “We have reports that some of the casualties were taken away by villagers from the incident site.”

Mohan, who reached the spot, added that efforts were on to send the injured to the Darjeeling district hospital.

Police sources said the darkness was hampering rescue and efforts were on to set up floodlights. “There is considerable water in the swift-flowing river and we fear that some of the victims could have been swept away by the current. The terrain is also very difficult,” said a senior police officer on the spot.

Sources in the district administration said the bridge, about 80ft long and 6ft wide, was built by the Darjeeling zilla parishad in 1972.

Morcha general secretary Roshan Giri said party volunteers were helping the police to rescue the injured.

“Our party president, Bimal Gurung, and I had visited Bijanbari this morning…. In the evening there was a large crowd, mostly local residents and those from nearby tea gardens of Chunthung, Marybong and Linga, who had gathered to witness the cultural programmes and the mela on the other side of the bridge,” Giri said.

In Calcutta, chief minister Mamata Banerjee told reporters she had asked north Bengal development minister Gautam Deb and Siliguri MLA Rudranath Bhattacharya to rush to Darjeeling.

Mamata, who is expected to leave for Darjeeling tomorrow, said the Bengal government would do all it could to stand by those affected “during this tragic hour” and bear all medical expenses.

Survivor Nirmal Chhetri, a driver, recalled the horror from his bed in Darjeeling district hospital. “There was a loud sound and I saw the bridge collapsing. I fell and cannot remember what happened after that.”

Source: The Telegraph

GJM seeks quake relief package for Darjeeling

2011-10-09T23:45:00.001-07:00

On the eve of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's visit to Darjeeling, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leadership said on Sunday that the devastation in the Darjeeling Hills caused by last month's earthquake near the Sikkim-Nepal border had been largely ignored by the State and Central governments.

It also demanded a special package of at least Rs.1,000 crore for restoration work and resettlement of the affected.

“The devastation caused by the earthquake in Sikkim has received the attention it deserved. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Union Minister Chidambaram and AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi visited Sikkim and relief packages have been announced, but no such package has been given to the Darjeeling Hills,” Harka Bahadur Chettri, senior GJM leader and the party's MLA from Kalimpong told The Hindu over telephone.

Dr. Chettri said the GJM leadership would meet Ms. Banerjee on Monday and submit a memorandum. “We expect Ms. Banerjee to impress upon the Centre the urgent need to provide relief to the quake victims in Darjeeling hills,” he said.

Dr. Chettri pointed out that the death toll in Sikkim had been very high, whereas not many died in the Darjeeling Hills, but the damage to property on this side of the State border “is in no way less than that in Sikkim.”

“There are many remote places here where the government machinery has not yet been able to reach,” Dr. Chettri said, adding that the quake caused damage worth several thousand crores of rupees.

The Prime Minister had announced a special package of Rs.1,000 crore for earthquake relief in Sikkim during his visit there last month. Immediately after the tragedy, Ms. Banerjee had announced compensation to those killed and injured in the earthquake in West Bengal, but the State government had not announced any relief for those who lost their houses, Dr. Chettri said.

Source: The Hindu

New beginning after quake & Puja - North inaccessible

2011-10-09T23:43:00.000-07:00

Gangtok, Oct. 9: Parts of North Sikkim still continue to be inaccessible though the administration and schools, crippled since the September 18 earthquake, are expected to function normally from tomorrow.

Temporary arrangements have been made so that 779 government schools with their 1.18 lakh students can start functioning. “Classes will start from tomorrow. Whatever temporary arrangements were to be done, has been done,” said HRD secretary C.S. Rao over the phone from Ravangla in South Sikkim. Construction of temporary structures on campuses, hiring buildings near schools for classes and introducing shifts in schools with low enrolments are some of the options that have been worked out.

Sikkim government spokesperson K.S. Topgay said aerial sorties to evacuate people stranded in North Sikkim and air-dropping of relief continued during the Puja break by the army choppers and the civilian Pawan Hans helicopters. Chungthang, Lachen and Lachung still remain cut off from Mangan because of landslides along the North Sikkim highway. Mangan is the administrative headquarters of the North district, 30km from Chungthang.

Apart from multiple landslides, a 400 metre stretch of the highway had been washed away between Toong and Theeng near Chungthang.

“We have managed to cut inside the rocky hillside to create a new road up to 350 metres. Now only 50 metres is left to be created,” said AK Das, the joint director of the Border Roads Organisation’s Project Swastik. “The spot is on a steep incline. Even the rock of the hillside is hard to break,” said Das.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who visited Sikkim on September 29 had directed the BRO to restore the North Sikkim highway to Chungthang by October 15. The highway is important as it is the sole link to the army and ITBP bases on the China border.

“All our resources and manpower have been concentrated at this point and the BRO is committed to open the road as soon as possible,” said Das.

Nearly Rs 16,000 crore has been released by the state government as ex-gratia for the 21,659 pucca and kutcha houses damaged in East Sikkim. This amount is in addition to the Rs 1.2 crore distributed earlier.

The ex-gratia ranges from Rs 3,000 to Rs 50,000, depending on the intensity of the damage and the type of house.

“We appeal to those, whose damaged houses have not be been recorded so far, to come to us by October 15. Our officials will survey these houses and we will release ex-gratia for the genuine claims. We don't want to leave out any genuine cases,” said district collector D. Anandan. Around 100 claims from owners of damaged houses were received at the district control room during the Puja break.

The claims should be reported to the administrative centre in Sichey, Gangtok, where the district authorities will resume work from tomorrow. Anandan has been camping at the district control room at MG Marg since the earthquake.

“We will be shifting to the district administrative centre from Monday and resume our normal functions along with relief work related with the earthquake,” said the district collector.

According to officials of North Sikkim, 3,361 houses have suffered major and minor damage in the Mangan subdivision including Dzongu. Assessment of the damage is in progress at Lachung, Lachen and Chungthang.

Source: The Telegraph

2.5 lakh tea workers are yet to get the new revised scale

2011-10-07T10:44:00.000-07:00

Siliguri, Oct. 5: Trade unions fear that if tea wages for Dooars workers are not revised before Diwali, planters may delay the negotiation and extend it to next year citing the three-month lean season starting from November.

Around 2.5 lakh tea workers are yet to get the new scale to be revised from the existing Rs 67 per day.

The trade unions had been insisting on Rs 90 a day like the hill workers, a proposal that has been shot down by planters who have argued that Darjeeling Tea is sold at a much higher price than CTC, which is grown in the Dooars. So, the salary of hill workers could not be compared with those in the plains.

“We had been waiting eagerly for Durga Puja to end and want the wages to be finalized at the earliest. It would be best if it is settled before Diwali, which is around 20 days away,” said Aloke Chakraborty, the Darjeeling district president of Intuc, the trade union of the Congress.

“If no decision is reached till Diwali and the current month ends, it will be difficult for us to negotiate as the lean season will commence from November. Planters, who will not earn during these months because of halt in production, may delay the negotiation till the next season starting in March 2012,” said Chakraborty.

The current wages are paid on the basis of a three-year tripartite agreement signed in 2008.

It expired on March 31 this year and since then there had been seven rounds of unsuccessful tripartite talks. The last was held on the first week of September.

“During the course of the negotiation, we brought down our demands considerably but the planters have refused to relent even then,” said Sukra Munda, the chairperson of the Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad- backed Progressive Tea Workers’ Union

“Given the trend of talks, we doubt whether any agreement will be signed at all in the coming lean season. It is best to bargain and convince planters in the next 15-20 days to agree to a revised scale, that is, before Diwali and immediately after Puja.”

The state labor department has called another round of tripartite talks on October 13.

“We are now hoping that the talks succeed as already six months of the current fiscal has passed. Workers want an early solution, as they are aware that their counterparts in the Darjeeling hills are earning Rs 90 a day. They will surely get arrears as the new agreement will be effective from April 1, 2011 but it is a test of patience,” said Samir Roy, convener of the Defense Committee for Plantation Workers Rights, an apex body of tea trade unions.

Planters, however, said the gardens had suffered considerably in the September 18 earthquake.

“Most of the gardens in the Terai and the Dooars have suffered damage and some have incurred losses worth crores,” said Prabir Bhattacharjee, the secretary of the Dooars Branch of the Indian Tea Association. “Regarding settlement of wages, we were never reluctant to negotiate. We had already submitted detailed information to the state government about the expenses incurred to run a tea estate.”

“It is not the question of lean season but the affordability of the tea companies that has to be kept in mind. The trade unions should rationalize their demands. We too had proposed a revised wage and do not want to drag on the issue. We are hopeful of a positive outcome at the meeting called by the state labor department next week,” he added.

Nathula Pass now open for trade after Sikkim Earthquake

2011-10-02T22:53:00.000-07:00

CHANGU (SIKKIM): Nathula Pass, one of the three trading border posts between China and India, has been reopened for traffic after being hit by a recent earthquake that jolted India, Nepal and Tibet.

Locals expressed their delight over the reopening of the pass and said they were thankful to the army personnel for providing them with food and medical treatment, after the earthquake ravaged the region.

"The road has been reopened, the public is relaxed as we are now getting the basic facilities and food. All the efforts have been made by the army, the army personnel provided us with food, water, medical treatment," said Phurba Sherpa, a local. "As the pass has reopened, now our major priority is arrival of tourists. With the arrival of tourists, we would be able to retrieve our lives," Sherpa added.

Source: India Times

Barros for apples in Darjeeling

2011-10-02T02:44:00.000-07:00

Chile's ambassador to India, Cristan Barros who was in Kolkata expressed his interest to extend technological support in the agriculture sector to Bengal government to produce best quality fruits in the state. Even the barren land can be used for best quality fruit production. He mentioned that Chile's fresh fruits and fruit products are exported to different parts of the globe and US consumes a major part of it.

Barros said that the Chile can provide support to Bengal government in preserving fruits. This would help the state to earn more revenue from fruits and fruit products. "We have the know how to produce best fruits. If our knowledge gets implemented on the barren lands in Bengal, it would prove to be remunerative. Land is an asset and needs to be put to best use, so that the state can earn from it." The diplomat has graciously offered to provide support so that apples can be grown in Darjeeling. He said that the temperature there can be considered best for growing apples. He also wanted that Bengal farmers should go for growing more cherry and plums, as it is in high demand in the global market.

Moreover the diplomat said that they are also willing to have joint venture in mining sector as Chile is known for its mines. "We can provide latest technology in mining sector as well, so that Bengal can use its mining resources in a better way."

Source: The Times of India

GTA divide clouds civic polls in Darjeeling hills

2011-10-02T02:40:00.000-07:00

Although the state municipal affairs department has sent a proposal for holding municipal elections in the Darjeeling hills in December, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) is adamant on having the elections only after the territory of the GTA is determined.

The joint verification committee is scheduled to submit its report on the inclusion of mouzas of Terai and Dooars area into GTA after January. The differences between the state government and the GTA on the issue has made the elections uncertain in the hills.

“We have requested the state government to hold the elections in the hills after the territory of the GTA is decided. It is not practical and wise to hold the elections twice, once before the inclusion of the mouzas from Terai and Dooars and once again after the inclusion of the mouzas. We are trying to convince the state government and talks are on,” said a senior central committee member of GJM. However, the government is yet to respond to the matter, he said.

Significantly, on September 25, it was officially announced the elections to four Darjeeling Hill municipalities will be held on December 11. The last municipal elections in the hills were held in 2004. With the GJM managing to seize power by driving out the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) leaders and supporters from the hills in mid-2008, the GNLF municipal councillors had defected to the GJM. Since then, the GJM agitating for a separate state has put a halt to the elections to municipalities and panchayats.

Since then, the four hill municipalities have been run by boards of administrators headed by the SDO in each sub division of the district. Even panchayat elections are overdue in the hills since 2005.

Meanwhile, the joint verification committee on determining the territory of the GTA has started receiving the claims and objections from the people of the Terai and Dooars area.

“After the advertisement was published, the committee has received over 50 letters of claims and objections. We have specified the claims and objections should be based on facts and figures and should be supported by proper data sheets,” said an official.

He said they will receive the suggestions till end of October and in November, the committee will meet again to discuss the claims and objections.

Source: Express News Service

Highway to Nathu-la cleared - villagers keen on tourists before lean season sets in

2011-09-30T20:16:00.000-07:00

Gangtok: The Jawaharlal Nehru Marg has been restored for traffic, allowing the army and people from the half a dozen villages that dot the route to Nathu-la to come down here to replenish their supplies — more than 10 days after the earthquake cut off the road link.

However, the Sikkim government is yet to take a call on whether to allow visitors at Chhangu Lake, Baba Mandir and the international border — tourist destinations in East district. Trade with the Tibetan Autonomous Region through Nathu-la or the border pass at 14,400ft has also stopped since the September 18 earthquake.

The army had set up relief camps at Kyongnosla and Chhangu where the villagers had been provided with food, shelter and medical attention for all these days.

Twenty-two landslides, minor and major, and the huge boulders brought down by them had blocked 52km of JN Marg. Three stretches of the road had been washed away in the rain.

Project Swastik, which looks after the highway connectivity in Sikkim, engaged seven hydraulic excavators, two bulldozers and four air-compressors (to power the drilling machines) and more than 50 labourers to clear the debris. They also rebuilt the roads at three points and finally JN Marg opened yesterday afternoon.

One of the points is a 55-metre stretch at Km 22.1 that had been peeled off along with a 70m portion of the hillside. Similar breaches of shorter length occurred at two more points on the way to nearest settlement at Kyongnosla, 25km before Nathu-la.

“We had managed to crush and sweep away boulders by September 23 to reach these road breaches. The breach at Km 22.1 was most severe and we used two excavators and two air-compressors from both ends to cut inside the hill and create a new road. By 1pm yesterday, JN Marg was ready,” said Sachin Kumar, the officer in charge of 422 road maintenance platoon of Project Swastik.

The restoration work had been hampered by inclement weather in the first few days after the quake and fog, which descends in high-altitude areas (ranging from Gangtok at 5500ft to Nathu-la) almost every afternoon. Along with early dusk, working hours were restricted to five-six hours in a challenging terrain.

“We had to cope with the weather and also fresh slides. To keep the machines working, we deployed a team from the mechanical workshop that we have in Gangtok. They were stationed along this stretch with spare parts so that the heavy machines could be repaired on the spot,” said Kumar.

The BRO personnel had to keep a constant eye on the hills as loose boulders could slip down any time, crushing the workers below.

“We had watchers on both sides and they used to blow whistles if any boulder was about to slip down,” said BRO junior engineer Ravindar Kumar.

The BRO personnel, already deployed along the JN Marg for road widening, were among the first to come to rescue after the tremor. Landslide had hit a local taxi near Kyongnosla, killing two people on the spot on the evening of September 18.

“We called the local people for help and managed to reach the damaged vehicle. There were two people dead inside. We recovered five injured persons and took them to the nearby army hospital for treatment. We cleared the landslide the next day,” said junior engineer V. John Wilson.

There was light movement of army and civilian vehicles along JN Marg today. Most of the civilians were from the sparse settlements in the border area and were on their way to Gangtok to replenish stocks.

“We have communicated to the civil administration that the JN Marg is open for traffic. The decision to allow tourists to ply on this route lies with the government,” said the officer in charge of the 422 road maintenance platoon.

Villages along this route, especially Kyongnosla (at 10,400 ft) and Chhangu Lake (at 12,400ft and 34km from Gangtok) which depend on tourism for livelihood, were prompt to demand that tourists be allowed on JN Marg.

“Our earnings have been hit so far because of the road blockades.. Tourists are our major source of livelihood. We want them back,” said Phurba Tshering Sherpa, a resident of Kyongnosla.

There are around 18 shops at Kyongnosla, where tourists take a break on their way to Nathu-la. Six of the shops, which sell snacks and souvenirs, have suffered extensive damage. Four have been washed away.

“We appeal to the tourists to visit Sikkim. The road to Chhangu Lake and Nathu-la is open and even if they are stranded while returning, we are ready to take care of them as we had done in past,” said Phurba Tshering .

Liku Doma, whose shop has been damaged, said if the tourists don’t come, “we will all suffer”.

Eight kilometres above Kyongnosla, the 49 shops below Chhangu Lake sport a deserted look. Only two shops are open. The lake is a popular tourist destination with 250-300 taxis making it here daily during the peak seasons.

Around 20 vehicles full of tourists come here even during the off-season.

April-May is the first peak season followed by October to early November.

“All the shops are closed here as no tourists have come. Most of our people have gone to Gangtok today to buy essential commodities now that the road is open. Tourists should be allowed to come here as the livelihood of some 200 families depends on them. They eat and shop. The local people also earn money by offering yak rides to tourists around the lake. We have around 50 yaks,” said K. Sherpa, who lives in one of the villages near the lake.

There was no damage in the Chhangu villages.

“If no tourists come this October, we will have to wait till next April,” said K. Sherpa.

Government spokesperson K.S .Topgay said the decision on allowing tourists up to Nathu-la would be taken tomorrow.

Source: The Telegraph

Safe message for visitors

2011-09-30T20:01:00.001-07:00

Tour operators in north Bengal have assured tourists through a campaign that the region was safe and all facilities in place for visitors.

According to the operators, roads leading to different destinations across the hills, except North Sikkim, are open and visitors can travel in the region during Puja without any problems.

Representatives of the Eastern Himalaya Travel and Tour Operators’ Association (EHTTOA), who held a seminar on Tuesday to mark World Tourism Day, said helpdesks would be set up in six places from October 1 to 8 to guide tourists who would visit the region during Durga Puja.

The counters that would be set up in New Jalpaiguri railway station, Bagdogra airport and Tenzing Norgay Central Bus Terminus, among other places, will be manned by tour operators and hotelliers.

“North Bengal development minister Gautam Deb has insisted that our members should be posted at the helpdesks to extend co-operation to tourists reaching any of the entry points during Puja holidays,” Raj Basu, an adviser to the EHTTOA, said.

According to Basu, the industry has suffered an annual loss of 65 per cent in the past three-four years because of the political disturbance in the hills.

“Things were favourable this season, which would commence from this weekend, and the season was historical considering the rate of inquiries and the bookings. Things, however, were affected to some extent because of the recent earthquake but we want to pass (on) a clear message to the visitors that the situation is perfectly normal here and there is nothing to worry,” he said.

The EHTTOA introduced an “any time auto” service in town yesterday to handle the rush of visitors.

“Any person can call up (9434891056) and ask for an auto-rickshaw that would be available round the clock,” Samrat Sanyal, the EHTTOA president, said.

He added that the service has started with a few auto-rickshaws that are being parked along Hill Cart Road.

But later more vehicles would be introduced depending on the demand, he said.

Source: The Telegraph

Tea zone damage account to Rs. 6 crore after Sikkim-Darjeeling Earthquake

2011-09-27T21:47:00.000-07:00

Siliguri, Sept. 27: The tea sector in the Dooars and the Terai has suffered a loss of Rs 6 crore after the September 18 quake hit its infrastructure which ranged from staff accommodation to factory buildings.

The highest individual loss of nearly Rs 2 crore was suffered by a garden owned by Goodricke in the Dooars.

Tea planters, who are yet to pay the revised salary to workers, are now grappling with the expense needed to repair the damaged infrastructure, which also includes brew manufacturing factories whose boundary walls have given away. Most garden managements fear that the security of the factories with their expensive machines were at stake.

“It is indeed a new challenge for us because in the Dooars alone, at least 30-35 gardens, who are our members, have suffered damage during the earthquake. A rough estimate indicates that the loss is around Rs 5.50 crore which in all probability, is going to climb as the assessment of many gardens are yet to be finished. The highest loss borne by an individual garden is Denguajhar owned by Goodricke. It has suffered a loss of around Rs 2 crore,” said Prabir Bhattacharjee, the secretary of the Dooars Branch of the Indian Tea Association.

Denguajhar is located outside Jalpaiguri town. Goodricke owns 12 gardens in the Dooars.

Describing the condition of Denguajhar, a DBITA source said: “In the earthquake, 632 workers’ quarters were damaged. Five bungalows, 19 staff quarters and a crèche have suffered damage. Boundary walls of the warehouse, factory and hospital have collapsed and so have eight culverts, built over rivulets criss-crossing the garden.”

The other gardens which have suffered major losses include Dalsinghpara (Rs 40 lakh), Central Dooars (Rs 35 lakh), Gandrapara (Rs 30 lakh), Washabari (Rs 25 lakh), Jiti (Rs 20 lakh) and Sankosh, Saylee, Barodighi, Beech, Banarhat and Leesh River — each Rs 10 lakh and above.

Trade union leaders said the damage indicated the plight of the workers. “Over the past few years, we had been insisting that the dwelling units of workers, most of which are in pitiable condition, be repaired,” said Samir Roy, the convener of the Defence Committee for Plantation Workers’ Rights, an apex body of tea trade unions. “The planters, however, did not heed our pleas and now, after the earthquake, it is evident that our apprehensions were correct: the workers were living in unsafe quarters.”

Ranjit Datta, the north Bengal branch secretary of the Tea Association of India with its 35 member gardens, said 15 estates of the Terai have suffered damage of nearly Rs 35 lakh.

“We are fortunate that there had been no major casualty during the quake. However, the losses suffered by the gardens have to be borne by the managements concerned,” he said.

Source: The Telegraph

No classes till Oct 10 for Sikkim Schools

2011-09-27T21:43:00.000-07:00

Gangtok, Sept. 26: All schools across Sikkim will reopen on October 10 after Puja (or Dasain) vacation, the government has announced after taking stock of the widespread damage that educational institutions suffered in last Sunday’s quake.

Classes in the 779 government schools and some of the 325 private institutions had been suspended since September 19. But some unsuccessful attempts in the past few days to resume classes in alternative rooms and a gloomy weather prompted the government today to officially announce a break till October 1, when the Puja holidays start.

“All government schools are closed till October 1. They will reopen on October 10 after the Puja holidays. We had tried for a couple of days to resume classes but could not do it as the schools were not in good condition and weather continues to remain bad. We don’t want to take any chances,” said state human resource development secretary C.S. Rao.

Rao said the schools would have to take extra classes in winter to make up for the loss. “Earlier it was scheduled that the schools would close on December 17 for winter break but now it will close only on December 22,” he said. “We have also conveyed our decision to the private schools but if some of them want to continue with the classes, we have no objection,” Rao said.

He said there were around 1.18 lakh students in the government schools and 24,000 in the 325 private institutions. Nearly 430 government schools have suffered major damage. Of them, 54 schools have totally or partially collapsed, according to a preliminary report collected by the department.

“The school heads will be available during this break to consult with the local panchayats and school managing committees to make alternative arrangement so that classes can start from October 10,” said Rao.

The chief minister has given Rs 50 lakh as immediate relief for restoration of the school buildings, he said.

Source: The Telegraph

PM to visit Sikkim Earthquake affected zones

2011-09-27T21:41:00.000-07:00

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is scheduled to visit the earthquake-hit areas of Sikkim on September 29. West Bengal Chief Secretary Samar Ghosh told reporters Dr. Singh would reach Gangtok via Bagdogra in north Bengal from Delhi.

Home Department Officials said the Prime Minister's detailed programme had not been received yet.

Over 100 people lost their lives in the September 18 earthquake.

Sikkim East District Adm orders dismantling of 11 multi-storeyed buildings

2011-09-27T21:39:00.000-07:00

Gangtok, Sept. 27: The East district administration has issued dismantling orders to 11 multi-storeyed buildings in Gangtok and Singtam as the damaged structures have become a threat to adjoining houses.

Six of these buildings, with five or more floors, will have to be demolished fully. In the other buildings, only the vulnerable floors will be dismantled.

Although Gangtok has a height restriction of five storeys because it is located in a vulnerable seismic zone, civic norms are often flouted.

Notices under Section 144 of the CrPc — under which evacuation orders can be given — have been issued to owners of the 11 buildings in the past couple of days by the district administration, an official said. Three of these buildings are in Singtam, 35km from Gangtok, and the others in the state capital itself.

Three more buildings have been recommended to the state government for partial demolition by an assessment team.

The team has also recommended that the already collapsed building at Baluwakhani in Gangtok, belonging to Bhaichung Bhutia’s mentor and state sports secretary Karma P. Bhutia, needs to be dismantled and the debris cleared. The five-storeyed house collapsed when an adjoining six-storey structure tilted and fell on it on Friday night.

A team consisting of officials from the urban development and mines and geology departments and researchers from IIT-Roorkee conducted a survey of 406 buildings in and around Gangtok and Singtam yesterday.

“Six buildings are to be totally demolished while the floors of the remaining five need to be dismantled,” said Sikkim government spokesperson K.S. Topgay. The assessment is that around 70 buildings need to be evacuated but some of these can be strengthened with retro-fittings (or iron bars), he said.

“Demolition orders were issued as the team felt that these buildings were posing danger to other buildings and residents. The owners have to demolish the buildings within three days on the receipt of the order on their own expenses. If not, the government will be demolishing the buildings and costs will recovered from the owners,” said an official.

The government had announced that Rs 50,000 would be given for major damage. For minor damage and cracks, the compensation would range from Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000 depending on the nature of the house.

Sources said a demolition squad from New Delhi would be reaching Gangtok today. The owners of the seven-storeyed Hotel Superview Himalchuli, one of the buildings to be totally demolished, have appealed to the state government to give them time to bring in experts so that options can be explored to save the building.

“Instead of going straight for demolition, we request the state government to give us some time to explore options to find out if the hotel can be saved. The government has to help the people. We have contacted experts in Calcutta who are specialists in restoring damaged structures. We want to use the available technology of retrofitting or column shifting. Such action has saved some buildings in Gangtok, which had been ordered demolition during the 2006 earthquake,” said Satish Bardewa, son of S.K. Bardewa who owns the hotel.

The hotel has some 30 rooms. When it suffered cracks during the September 18 quake, all its occupants were evacuated. The hotel is closed now.

Satish said the demolition cost alone would run up to more than Rs 20 lakh considering that the building has to be pulled down first by hired labourers and then the debris transported for dumping outside Gangtok. “Constructing another building from scratch is another big issue,” said Satish.

The owners of a damaged five-storeyed building at Tadong near Sikkim Government College, however, have already hired labourers to demolish it. The building, constructed during the early 80s, had been damaged by the quake is also among the six that has to be totally pulled down.

“Considering the damage to the building, we are already prepared to demolish it. Once the order was given to us a couple of days ago, we brought workers to demolish it. The shopkeepers and tenants of this building have moved out along with the owner and family members,” said Robin Gurung who is supervising the demolition.

The top two floors are now being demolished.

“We are not asking for any any help from the government at this time. We are more concerned about the danger the building possesses to other adjoining structures. First we want to remove this threat and later on, if the government gives us aid, then it’s ok,” said Gurung.

The building had tilted dangerously close to a three-storeyed building of businessman Raj Kumar Prasad. “We were scared. Now we can breathe in relief as some demolition has taken place reducing the weight on our building,” he said.

According to East district collector D Anandan, more than 900 houses in the district have collapsed and more than 5,000 houses suffered major damage. More than 10,000 houses have suffered minor damages in East district, he said.

The district authorities are touring the affected areas and preparing a list of damaged houses to provide compensation as announced by the state government.

Source: The Telegraph

Darjeeling Hills civic polls scheduled for December 11

2011-09-26T22:37:00.000-07:00

Darjeeling: Elections to the four hill municipalities will be held on December 11, more than two years after polls could not be held following stiff resistance from the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and nobody coming forward to file nominations.

So long, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong and Mirik municipalities had been run by a board of administrators.

District magistrate Saumitra Mohan said: “We have received a notification from the state government and elections to all the four hill municipalities will be held on December 11.” The schedule for the election has, however, not been finalised but is expected in a day or two.

The elections to the municipalities were scheduled for June 28, 2009 last time. But following opposition from the Morcha which demanded that the state government first implement a three-tier panchayat system in the hills, nobody filed nominations.

The Darjeeling municipality was set up in 1850 and is the second oldest in Bengal with 32 wards. Kalimpong has 23 wards followed by 20 wards in Kurseong and nine in Mirik.

Since July 14, 2009, a day after the five-year term of the hill municipalities came to an end, the civic bodies have been run by a board of administrators with the SDOs of the respective subdivisions as chairpersons of the board.

After the memorandum of agreement was signed between the Centre, the state government and the Morcha on July 18 this year to set up the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, provisions were included to ensure that the three- tier panchyat system was brought back in the hills.

Following the insertion of the clause, the Morcha is now eager to hold the municipal elections. The state government has, however, made it clear that the three-tier panchayat system would be in place only after the GTA is implemented. The Morcha, too, had agreed to the state government proposal.

This time too the Constitution has to be amended. It was amended once in 1992, soon after the DGHC was formed. The amendment was necessitated to implement a two-tier rural system for the Darjeeling hills since no two zilla parishads — the highest rung in the panchayati system — could exist in one district. So while the plains of the Darjeeling district had a Mahakuma Parishad (equivalent to the zilla parishad), the hills had a two-tier system without the zilla parishad.

This clause will now have to be amended to put in bring back the three-tier panchayat system in the hills.

Source: The Telegraph

Rain and landslide cuts off road in Darjeeling, Darjeeling schools advance their puja holidays

2011-09-26T22:16:00.000-07:00

Darjeeling, Sept. 26: Continuous rain in the hills for the past 48 hours prompted many schools to suspend classes today and others to advance their Puja vacation by three days.

A stretch of about 20 metres of the 18 Lebong Cart Road in Darjeeling caved in around 10.30 last night, disrupting traffic between the town and areas like Singamari and Lebong on the fringes and even to Jorethang in Sikkim.

Although there is an alternative route through the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park to bypass the cave-in, St Joseph’s School (North Point) decided to close down for the Puja vacation today itself.

The Puja holiday was earlier scheduled from September 30.

“Even though there is an alternative route to reach our school, we thought it would be too much of an inconvenience to ask students to use that congested stretch. This is why we decided to advance the Puja vacation,” said Father Kinley Tshering, rector of North Point School in Singamari, around 3km from Darjeeling town. The day scholars come to school in buses or cars. Some of them also walk to school. Classes will resume after vacation on October 16, as scheduled.

Father Tshering said the parents of the boarders have been informed. The school has around 600 boarders from the hills, Siliguri, Calcutta, Bihar, Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and even Thailand.

Mount Hermon School, which is situated in the same area as North Point, however, did not suspend classes today.

“If the rain persists we may think of closing down for a day or two,” said George Fernandez, principal of Mount Hermon.

Asked if the Puja holidays, scheduled from October 1, would be advanced, Fernandez said: “With the earthquake, then the landslide and the rains the general spirit is very low. I personally would have wanted to close down for vacation but again if we do so the parents will be inconvenienced as most of them have already booked tickets for October 1. Rescheduling their tickets during tourist season would be difficult.”

Mount Hermon authorities, however, said they might allow boarders from nearby areas like Sikkim to leave earlier if the rain persisted.

Many schools like Ramakrishna Siksha Parisad and St Robert’s Higher Secondary, located in the heart of the town, also suspended classes because of the rain.

Weather experts have warned that a low pressure had developed in the region and there could be more rain in the days to come

“A low pressure trough is hovering over north Bengal and adjoining Bihar at 5.8km above the sea level. This would cause heavy to very heavy rainfall in Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar districts in the next 24 hours,” Indranil Sengupta, the assistant meteorological officer of the Regional Met Office in Jalpaiguri, said.

The stretch of 18 Lebong Cart Road that caved in is likely to take almost a month to be restored. Most of the Darjeeling Tea gardens residing in the Lebong valley region are also cut off.

District magistrate Saumitra Mohan said: “Engineers from the public works department are trying to get the road temporarily restored but it will take about a month to permanently repair the stretch.”

Source: The Telegraph

Darjeeling Winter Fest on the cards

2011-09-25T20:27:00.000-07:00

DARJEELING: After Sunday's devastating Sikkim and Darjeeling earthquake and three years of political turmoil that threatened to destabilize the region, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) party is all set to make a new beginning. They have collaborated with the district administration to organise a winter carnival called the Tea and Tourism Festival in December.

The festival will be held from December 20, 2011 to January 5, 2012. "The carnival was proposed by the district administration and we complied. The idea is to extend the tourist season which usually ends in November. However, of late tourists have started coming in December and January and we want to exploit this opportunity," said Raju Pradhan, a senior GJM central committee leader.

Peace has prevailed here post the signing of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration and thus the party wants to promote the Hills as a tourist hub.

A 20-member committee comprising representatives from the district administration has been constituted to oversee the organization of the carnival. DM Darjeeling is the president of the committee, Pradhan the working president and Uday Mani Pradhan, a social worker, the general secretary.

The winter carnival will be organized simultaneously in Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kalimpong and Mirik. Tourists would witness on display

the tradition and culture of the region on display. There would be food stalls serving sumptuous local delicacies.

"Tourists will be able to see tea processing in factories. We will also try to arrange for a screening of popular old Hindi and Nepali films which had Darjeeling as their themes," said Pradhan. The new generation adrenalin pumping, para-gliding and zorbing balls will also feature at the festival.

Incidentally, the Hills used to organize the Darjeeling Carnival in November. This was started in 2003 and continued till there was a fresh agitation for a separate state in 2007. The Darjeeling Carnival used to be organized in joint collaboration with youths of the Hills, the Darjeeling police, Darjeeling Municipality and the DGHC tourism department.

"We want to make this festival an annual calendar event. The carnival would be a positive depiction of the Hills," said Soumitra Mohan, the Darjeeling DM. He had come up with the idea of the Tea and Tourism Festival after the success of the Duars Festival that he had initiated when he was the sub-divisional officer of Alipurduar district.

In its strict sense it will be called the Tea and Tourism Festival but because it is scheduled in December which is apparently a lean season in the Hills, thus the name winter carnival.

The festival will kick start on December 20; just a head of Christmas, which by the way is celebrated with equal pompous as Kolkata and the New Year and will continue till January 5. "The idea here is basically to extend the October tourist season that ends in November and the winter makes its entry in the Hills and things turn quiet. However, off late tourists have started coming in December and January too which is a new trend and we want to exploit that," explained Raju Pradhan, a senior GJM central committee leader. Adding, "With the signing of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) there is peace and want to now promote the Darjeeling Hills".

To ensure its proper organization and success, a twenty member committee has been formed comprising representatives from the district administration, GJM party and few social organizations. The Darjeeling district magistrate is the president of the committee, while, Pradhan is the working president and Uday Mani Pradhan, a social worker, the general secretary who will be supported by twenty executive members.

"The concept of organizing a festival in December was mooted by the district administration and since we liked the idea we gave our consent to be a part of the event," said Pradhan. Yesterday, the administration held a formal meeting with GJM leaders in Darjeeling.

Incidentally, the Hills used to organize the Darjeeling Carnival which was started in 2003 and used to be held every November till the start of a fresh agitation for a separate state in 2007. The Darjeeling Carnival used to be organized in joint collaboration with youths of the Hills and the Darjeeling police, Darjeeling Municipality and the DGHC tourism department.

The winter carnival will be organized simultaneously in Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kalimpong and Mirik in the foothills. Tourist will get to see on display the tradition and culture of the region along with sumptuous local delicacies. "We will have on display the regions different traditions and cultures, food, arts and crafts and local products. Tourists will also be able to see tea processing in factories. We will also try and bring back memories of the Hills by screening popular old Hindi and Nepali films with Darjeeling themes," said Pradhan. The new generation adrenalin pumping para-gliding and zorbing balls will also be a feature of the festival that tourists as well as locals will be able to experience.

"We want to make this festival an annual calendar event. The idea is to promote and market the Darjeeling Hills positively world wide, to attract tourists," said Soumitra Mohan, the Darjeeling DM. In fact, the DM came up with the idea of the Tea and Tourism Festival after the success of the Duars Festival that he had initiated when he was the sub-divisional officer of Alipurduar district.

Source: Times of India

Sikkim road link snaps for six hours Evacuation continues, army drops food ration

2011-09-25T20:16:00.000-07:00

Gangtok, Sept. 25: A landslide at 32 Mile on National Highway 31A today cut off Sikkim’s sole road link with the rest of the country for six hours.

The highway, near Singtam in East district, was cleared of debris a little after noon.

“The debris and fallen trees were cleared around 12.30pm. Although we are pressed for resources, which are being utilised to clear the Mangan-Chungthang road in North Sikkim, we managed to pull out a bulldozer and some manpower from there to remove the debris here (at 32 Mile),” said A.K. Das, the joint director of the Border Roads Organisation’s Project Swastik. An occasional boulder and slush are still slipping down the hill slopes at several points along NH31A since the earthquake last Sunday.

In North Sikkim, Chungthang and areas beyond it, continued to receive food rations from the army even as the choppers were pressed for evacuation. Multiple landslides after the Sikkim earthquake have blocked the highway from Mangan onwards, the district headquarters of North Sikkim.

According to Colonel Ravi Patel, the spokesperson for the 17th Mountain Division, nine army choppers were pressed into service today. They dropped 300kg of food at Chungthang, 400kg at Lachen and 800kg at Lachung. Technicians from the civilian administration were also air dropped to assist in relief operations and revive radio communication.

Four mountaineers brought by the state government were also flown to Chungthang, 100km from Mangan, to help in the search and rescue operations.

Injured persons and those wanting to leave were evacuated from these regions, the army spokesperson said at the media briefing today.

“In addition to this, certain quantity of diesel and kerosene were dropped at Chungthang and Lachung for the civilians and to meet the fuel requirements of the machines used by the BRO for road restoration work there,” said Col Patel.

A total of 3,300kg of food ration were dropped at five villages in Dzongu in North Sikkim. Landslides have made the hamlets inaccessible by road.

Palchen Lachenpa, a resident of Lachen, 28km from Chungthang, who was airlifted to Gangtok today, said: “We want to tell our relatives and our children who are studying outside Sikkim that we are all safe in Lachen though property has been damaged. Around 150 people in Lachen have been staying together at the village monastery. There is no need to worry. The army is providing us with food there.”

The spokesperson for the Sikkim government, K.S. Topgay, said the state was getting back to normal and “the death toll remained 77”.

The joint director of the land revenue department, G.C. Khanal, said a six-member team, consisting among others three geologists from IIT Roorkee, will be flying to Lachen and Lachung soon to study the health of the lakes and structural stability of buildings. They will then submit a report to the state government.

Source: The Telegraph

Earthquakes unlikely in Sikkim for next few years, says expert

2011-09-25T01:00:00.000-07:00

Sikkim is unlikely to face any large earthquake over the next couple of years as vast energy has been released through last Sunday's tremors and aftershocks, says SK Nath, senior professor of geology and geophysics, IIT-Kharagpur.

Although the recent earthquake left scores dead and devastated vast areas in north Sikkim, the leading geologist says the damage would have been worse had its full fury been felt in the state's more populous south, where no building code is followed.

"Though many people have died in Sikkim, I must say that Sikkim was lucky this time as the epicentre of the earthquake was the Sikkim-Nepal border," he said.

"That is why the northern part faced the wrath and south Sikkim did not face much problem," said Nath, who has been working extensively on the microzonation and seismicity of the Sikkim region since 1995.

"It was quite a large earthquake and it also released a few aftershocks," said Nath. "So I can say that for at least the next couple of years there will be no such earthquake in Sikkim."

He rubbished reports of Mangan in the north district being the epicentre of the earthquake.

"I do not know from where reports are coming that Mangan is the epicentre. It is in the middle of Sikkim. Had Mangan been the epicentre, the whole of Bhutan and North Bengal up to Siliguri would have been in ruins," Nath told IANS in an interview.

Nath, who has been teaching in IIT-Kharagpur since 1988, said the main reason for earthquakes in India is the Indian plate going under the Eurasian plate.

"The Indian plate is still going under the Eurasian plate. It is going under at a rate 46 millimetres per year," said Nath.

Nath, the principal investigator on the project of Department of Earth Sciences Microzonation of Sikkim Region, submitted a report in 2006 regarding what kind of quake-proof buildings should come up in the hill state.

According to Nath, Sikkim is divided into two seismic zones: North Sikkim falls under seismic zone 4 and South Sikkim, which includes areas of Gangtok and Singtham, falls under seismic zone 5.

Seismic Microzonation is a process by which an area is divided into zones -- in accordance with the character of the area such as ground shaking, susceptibility, rock fall hazard and earthquake-related flooding.

"If you go to south Sikkim, which falls in Zone 5, it has a lot of two lean buildings side by side, with very little gap between them. No building code is followed there," said Nath, who received the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize in 2002.

"It is true that Sikkim's mainstay is tourism and Gangtok its main attraction. But there should be a proper procedure for construction of buildings," said Nath.

Source: Hindustan Times

Living on the edge, dangerously

2011-09-25T00:57:00.000-07:00

"And then the path vanished. Had it not been for the bright moonlight, we might have walked straight into a void. The rain had caused a landslide, and where there had been a narrow path there was now only a precipice of loose, slippery shale." -'The Glacier' by Ruskin Bond

Living on the edge is not just a figure of speech for people in the hills. Writer or tiller, they all live close to nature's bounty - and its boundless fury. And nowhere is the danger starker than in the Indian Himalayas, among the world's most earthquake-prone zones. Major parts, including Kashmir and the Northeast, fall in Zone V - the most seismically active. But the towns standing on these heaving hills seem oblivious of the risks as they build with a vengeance.

Quake-hit Gangtok is a clutter of concrete buildings, all of them hanging on precariously to steep mountain slopes. Most of them have developed ominous cracks after the September 18 quake. "Some of these buildings have to be evacuated immediately, and also the ones that are below them down the hill," an engineer inspecting the damage says.

Experts say that none of the buildings in the Sikkimese capital, which draws lakhs of tourists every year, are earthquake-resistant. Pankaj Adhikari, an architect in Gangtok, says the city doesn't have a proper building code, "and even the archaic one that does exist is flouted at will". Buildings with more floors than five-and-half storeys - the maximum allowed - are common and no action has ever been taken against such constructions, he fumes.

"The simple ABC of building codes for earthquake-prone regions is that all structures should resist minor to moderate earthquakes (3 to 5.9 on the Richter scale) undamaged; resist moderate to major (6 to 7.9) earthquakes without significant structural damage and survive severe earthquakes (8 or more) without collapse," Adhikari says. "But more than 90% buildings in Gangtok have suffered structural damage in Sunday's earthquake which was in the 'strong' category."

In the last 100 years, the Northeast has experienced hundreds of temblors of varying intensity - 210 between 5 and 5.9; 128 between 6 and 6.9; 15 between 7 and 7.9, and four of 8 or above magnitude. But, learning no lessons from the past, almost all the state capitals have turned into concrete jungles. Shillong is no exception. "People can no longer afford the luxury of spacious Assam-type buildings on sprawling compounds, and are forced to go for concrete constructions due to constraint of space," says an official in the Meghalaya capital's department of urban affairs. The state also has several unorganized coal mining projects. A major quake could spell disaster for these 'rat hole' mines and their workers.

Large dams add to the risk. As many as 168 dams are planned in Arunachal Pradesh alone to tap the state's 50,000MW hydro-power potential. Construction work is already on for the 2000MW Lower Subansiri Project, the country's biggest hydro-power dam. Several organizations have opposed such projects out of concern for Assam which is located downstream. An expert committee, comprising faculty from IIT Guwahati, Gauhati University and Dibrugarh University, in its report submitted to the Assam government in 2010 raised the issue of threat from the Lower Subansiri Project due to its location in the seismic zone.

Sunday's earthquake also shook the Darjeeling Hills. But worse is yet to come, warn experts. The fragile nature of the hills and their vulnerability to landslides compounds these fears. Kalimpong based Praful Rao, founder-member of Save the Hills (STH), an NGO working for raising awareness about landslides, says unplanned urban development is causing more landslides. "Deforestation and man-made drains in the mountains have further weakened the hills," he says.

Unchecked construction is another big concern. "Nowadays, more than five-storey buildings are being constructed here. There are over 400-500 such structures in the town area itself," says Bharat Prakash Rai, secretary of Fosep (Federation of Society for Environment Protection). He says the permissible height of 11.5m is being flouted. "Huge constructions are coming up at more than 60-degree slopes (twice the recommended limit)." Darjeeling Municipality engineer Vijay Tamang says they are now trying to control that.

The Dalai Lama's home, too, has seen unprecedented growth with a slew of hotels, monasteries and educational institutes coming up in the past decade. Dharamshala is the headquarters of Himachal's Kangra district which witnessed last century's biggest earthquake in 1905. The epicentre of that temblor, which killed 20,000 people, was near Mcleodganj, the seat of the Tibetan government in exile. "Dharamshala lies in the Schuppen Zone in which closely spaced, mutually thrusted belts of various rocks lie delicately stuck over each other, making it one of the most dangerous areas. The soil and rocks in towns like Dharamshala are burdened under heavy construction and can give in at the slightest tremor," says Chandigarh-based geology professor A D Ahluwalia.

And what of Shimla, capital of Himachal? Almost the entire town, in Seismic Zone IV, could come crumbling down in the event of a major quake. The state's town and country planning minister, Mohinder Singh, recently told the Assembly that 98% of the buildings in Shimla were not safe. Less than 2% were earthquake-resistant, he said. Shimla is also a landslide-prone area and heavy construction pressure has started sinking the historic Ridge. "Should a disaster strike Shimla, it is bound to be of catastrophic proportions," says environmentalist Billy Malhans.

As for J&K, a legislation is in the works to make quake-resistant private buildings mandatory. This comes six years after parts of the state were flattened by a devastating earthquake. The state government had earlier issued guidelines that no government building shall be constructed unless it complies with Bureau of Indian Standards codes on quake resistance. Disaster management cell coordinator Aamir Ali says building bylaws have been amended "clause by clause" in consultation with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's national seismic advisor Anand S Arya. The Bill is now awaiting an Assembly nod.

"We have trained masons, engineers, architects and structural engineers in earthquake risk management," says Ali. "We have also roped in imams to convey the message. That has helped a lot."

(With reports from Naresh Mitra, Guwahati; Manosh Das, Shillong; S Gopal Puri, Chandigarh; Ravinder Makhaik, Shimla, and Sameer Arshad, Delhi)

Source: Times of India

Sikkim earthquake: 10,000 food packets airdropped, more roads opened

2011-09-24T01:33:00.000-07:00

With most of the roads opening for regular traffic in the quake-hit Sikkim, the ongoing relief works got a boost on Friday. More Army, ITBP and NDRF personnel could reach interiors and bring villagers to relief camps.

Two major roads connecting the region, however, remained blocked due to landslides.

Over 10,000 food packets were airdropped in these areas. "Fifteen helicopters of Army and Air Force have been pressed into relief work. For airdropping and reconnaissance, 150 sorties have been carried out so far," an official said.

While nine vital roads, including National Highway 31A and National Highway 55, have been opened for traffic, two roads -- Chungthang-Lachen and Chungthan-Lachung -- continued to remain blocked due to landslides.

Referring to reports from the Sikkim government, the official here said the total number of deaths was 75 with maximum 57 being reported from North district.

"Five teams of NDRF have been deployed for search and rescue operations at Shipgyar, Biha and Bringbang Ramam, Lingzya and Dzongu villages in Mangan. Two teams of NDRF comprising 14 personnel and 16 personnel each are deployed at Chungthan and Lachung, respectively", said the official.

Source: Times of India

Special safety drive in Darjeeling for Pujas

2011-09-24T01:32:00.000-07:00

Darjeeling: Police have embarked upon a special drive to keep the Hills trouble-free with the festive season slated to set in within a week.

"We have requested restaurants owners not to keep their establishments open after 10pm. The situation in the Hills is different from that of the plains where things start buzzing from late in the evening," said LT Bhutia, inspector in-charge of Darjeeling sadar police station.

The officer reasoned that during festivities, rowdy youths have the tendency to create trouble in an inebriated state. "Since tourists would be visiting the Hills during Durga Puja, we want to ensure that such incidents don't occur and sour the occasion," Bhutia said. Darjeeling police have already held a couple of meetings with hoteliers, restaurant owners and travel agents and raids are being conducted in illegal bars and restaurants.

Another factor that the police are wary of is the increased cases of robbery during the Pujas. "From past experience, we are aware robbers are already on the prowl. We appeal to the citizens to be cautious and careful during the festival," said the officer in-charge. He pointed out that robbers could target vulnerable citizens in banks and isolated places.

In fact, police are on a vigil and suspect that a woman in her early thirties is already at work. "There is a lady around 33-34 years old who we suspect is one of the gang members. We will be deploying additional policemen in plain clothes before and during the Puja," said Bhutia.

Police have decided to increase its manpower to put brakes on untoward incidents. Citizens have also been asked to call the helpline numbers 9775943303 and 9733173133 to seek assistance.

Source: Times of India

Army yet to reach earthquake ravaged areas of Sikkim

2011-09-24T01:30:00.000-07:00

With a portion of a mountain caving in and several areas completely ravaged, the Army has said it will take some time to open the road from Tung up to Lanchen and Lachung in North Sikkim which bore the brunt of Sunday's devastating temblor. The 6.8 magnitude earthquake had cut off many parts of Northern Sikkim like Chuntham, Lachen, Lachung, upper Dzungu and the army in five days have been able to open nearly 40 km of the road though another 35 km need to be explored, official sources said on Sunday.

"Mangan (which is nearly 60 km from Gangtok) can be considered as the gateway to the quake-hit remote areas but the real problem starts from Tung up to Lanchen and Lachung – the two extreme points which are bifurcated from Chungtham", said an army officer of the engineering regiment, which is entrusted with the task of clearing the rubble and make a cab way.

"There is one way which leads from Gangtok to Mangan via Bittu where there were nearly 14 big landslides and in three days we have cleared the road and opened it for thoroughfare but the condition of the road from Tung to the extreme points is horrible and it will take long time before we can make the road open for the people," said the officer.

When asked why the operation was taking so long, the officer said, "Actually a portion of the mountain has caved in and several parts of the roads have been completely ravaged. Moreover, we are not able to carry out high intensity blasts because other portions of the mountain are in a brittle condition and might come down."

Source: Hindustan Times

Expedite Darjeeling civic election to facilitate development: GJM

2011-09-24T01:28:00.000-07:00

Darjeeling: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leaders have demanded to speed up election to the four municipalities of Darjeeling to facilitate development work. GJM chief Bimal Gurung recently hinted at a public meeting that development works in the municipal areas has remained stalled for the last five years.

"Our party is serious about development in the Hills. Several development works have been hampered since election to the municipalities is still pending," said a senior GJM central committee leader.

The last election to the four municipalities was held in 2004. Then, the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) had formed the boards. However, GNLF chief Subash Ghisingh took forward the demand for including Darjeeling under the sixth schedule of the Indian constitution. This stopped election to the civic body and also to the panchayat system.

However, after GJM came to power in 2007 with the separate Gorkhaland state demand, most GNLF leaders and commissioners had defected to the GJM. Since then, the four municipalities at Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kalimpong and Mirik are run by a board of administrators headed by the sub-divisional officer.

"The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) will take time to be fully functional. In the meantime, development must also take place simultaneously," asserted the leader.

GJM though has not yet given its consent to holding election to the two tier panchayat system in place in the Hills. A demand has been made by the party to create several blocks from the existing ones for people's convenience. "Some of the blocks in the sub-divisions are vast in areas. We want the government to create at least 24 blocks from the existing ones so that development schemes and facilities reach the remotest of areas," reasoned the central committee leader.

GJM wants the existing eight blocks to be bifurcated into 24 blocks. The demand is that three blocks are created from one block. At present, it is time-consuming and cumbersome for people to get work - like issuance of birth and residential certificates and old age pension - done at a panchayat office that is situated several kilometer away, complained another GJM leader.. GJM's contention is that people waste one whole day at the office and are also not sure if the work will be done and secondly it feels officials of panchayat offices will be less burdened.

The Hills has only the gram panchayat and panchayat samaity. A zilla parishad runs the sub-division of Siliguri in Darjeeling district. However, in the GTA Bill there is provision for a three tier panchayat system as demanded by GJM.

Meanwhile, a six member GJM team including the three Hills MLAs and central committee leaders today left for Sikkim, to meet chief minister Pawan Kumar Chamling and express their sorrow over the earthquake devastation and deaths.

Source: Times of India

Earthquake damage in Darjeeling district assessed at Rupees 3400 crores

2011-09-21T17:29:00.000-07:00

Preliminary reports of the Darjeeling District Administration pegged the damage caused by the 6.8 magnitude quake in the Darjeeling district in West Bengal at three thousand and four hundred crore Rupees. "We have made a preliminary assessment of the damages. It is to the tune of approximately and includes the assessment by the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council of three thousand crore Rupees for the Darjeeling district", Saumitra Mohan, district magistrate Darjeeling told HT.

The damages include houses partially and fully damaged, roads, "Jhoras" (springs with embankments) and water supply lines.

"Around 2,802 houses are fully damaged and 52,900 houses partially damaged in the district", stated the Officer-in-charge of the Relief Department, Darjeeling.

Meanwhile the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) has also decided to send a Central Committee team to Sikkim in a day or two to meet chief minister Pawan Chamling. The GJM has also decided to conduct its own assessment of the damages caused by the quake in the three hill sub divisions of Darjeeling district.

"We will form a survey team to access the damage and hand over the report to the state government within a week. All GJM local committees will access the damages in their respective areas and report to this survey team based on which the report will be prepared", stated Bimal Gurung, President, GJM.

The survey team will include the 4 GJM MLAs. The GJM has demanded that a National Disaster Management unit should be stationed in the Darjeeling Hills at least during monsoons.

North Bengal Development minister Gautam Deb has requested the Siliguri Municipal Corporation not to sanction any plans for new constructions in the Siliguri Municipal areas.

"Building rules are not being followed. I will be meeting the Muncipal Affairs minister and request him that building rules are implemented stringently. Meanwhile we will be inviting a team of experts from IIT Roorkee so that they can advice us on future constructions and restoration work", stated Deb.

Source: Hindustan Times

Sikkim toll 72, labourers feared trapped in tunnels

2011-09-21T17:24:00.000-07:00

Vijay Kumar, a businessman from Mysore, was looking forward to a pleasant vacation. The day the 6.8 richter earthquake shook Sikkim, Kumar had just arrived in Lachung in north Sikkim. "On Sunday, we had just reached and after a cup of tea we went out for a walk when the earth shook. The next minute the road vanished," said Kumar, whose wife and friend, Sanjay Kumar, were also trapped with him.

Sanjay, a Mysore-based jeweller, was hit in his leg by a rock. "After spending some time out in the open, we came back to the hotel, considering it a safer option. The army and local residents were extremely helpful. The locals shared their food with us, despite shortage," he said.

After 72 hours of complete isolation from the outside world, Vijay Kumar and 74 other tourists, including four foreigners - 2 Norwegians and 2 US nationals - finally heaved a sigh of relief on Wednesday.

The same day chief minister of Sikkim Pawan Chamling admitted that nine villages in north Sikkim were still inaccessible and it would take about a month to restore complete connectivity.

Sikkim's information and public relations secretary Karma Soman Tobgey said rescue operations would resume on Thursday. "Dzongo village, which is totally cut off, might have some stranded tourists," he added.

Meanwhile, the death toll due to landslides in Sikkim reached 72. It is feared that labourers from others states working in hydel projects in north Sikkim are trapped inside tunnels.

Ahmed Sayed Lasker a junior engineer with the Teesta Urja Hydel project at Ramam, 130 km from Gangtok, said, "The tunnels are safe and hundreds of workers who had taken shelter in the tunnels have already reached safer places." But he was unable to confirm whether all workers had been rescued.

AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi visited Lungsey on the outskirts of the state headquarters Mangan amidst tight security.

Source: Hindustan Times

A social activist's struggle to save women

2011-09-21T17:19:00.000-07:00

Kolkata: She may not be able to bring back 12 women from the clutches of traffickers operating in Gulf countries but her fight against bonded labour and forced flesh trade continues. Meet social activist Rangu Souriya who has till date recovered 500 women from the horrors of brothels and bondage labour.

Souriya, 32, who also runs NGO Kanchanjunga Uddhar Kendra since 2004 has been trying to protect the poor girls and women of Sikkim and North Bengal from the clasp of the traffickers operating between the Gulf and Southeast Asia.

"Due to poverty in the tea gardens, a lot of traffickers lure women and girls with assurances of jobs. Then they sell them as bonded labourers to other states or for flesh trade in Arab countries," Souriya told reporters here Wednesday.

Souriya hails from Darjeeling and still remembers how poor girls and women of the area used to go missing all of a sudden during her college days in the late 90s. "I decided to fight for the cause," she said.

She reminisced how she saved a 13-year-old girl in New Delhi who was working there as bonded household labour.

"In 2005 I saved a girl child who hailed from Darjeeling. She was lured by the promise of a job in New Delhi and better lifestyle. She was hauled up in a house in New Delhi where she was treated worse than an animal," she said.

The activist, along with the help of local police, rescued the girl from the residence and handed her over to her parents.

Souriya Wednesday received the Godfery Phillips Bravery Award 2011 under the category of 'Special Social Bravery Award'.

"Since 2004 I have rescued 500 women and girls who were either sold as bondage labours or for flesh trade in different parts of India and foreign countries. But officially it is 300 girls in police records," she said.

The activist, with the help of NGOs situated in Saudi Arabia, also brought back five trafficked teenaged girls back to India in February.

When asked what inspires her, Souriya said: "It is a wonderful experience when girls go back to the arms of their parents and lead a decent life."

She also regretted not being able to save a group of 12 girls who were trafficked to Saudi Arabia this year.

"I tried my best but couldn't bring back those girls back to the country as those girls were sent to Saudi Arabia on fake passports," said Souriya, who has also helped put 10 traffickers behind bars since 2004.

Source: IANS

Sikkim earthquake: Body count rises

2011-09-20T23:46:00.000-07:00

MANGAN/GANGTOK: A grimmer picture of devastation in quake-hit Sikkim emerged on Tuesday as soldiers blasted boulders blocking hill roads and reached isolated areas like Mangan, 65km from Gangtok. With help reaching faraway regions, the body count from Sunday's temblor raced passed 130 and could rise as many more are feared trapped.

Officially, Sikkim has so far confirmed 58 deaths, the rest of the casualties being from Bhutan, Nepal, Bihar, West Bengal and Jharkhand. But as shocking details emerged, authorities feared at least 40 workers at a hydel power plant site in North Sikkim's Saffo might have perished within minutes, caught in a mountain duct when the tectonic plates under the lower Himalayas shook. Dozens others are missing and feared trapped in the same hydel project site and there's no confirmation of the number of people engaged there.

Saffo is 9km downstream from Chungthang and the accident site is around 30km downstream from the popular tourist destination Lachen. An engineer working for the Hyderabad-based Athena Group, which is handling the project, said 15 workers had died at the site and at least 10 were missing. The tragedy came to light on Tuesday when officials of the Teesta Urja Co-a joint venture between the Hyderabad-based company and the Sikkim Power Department-chartered a chopper to airlift the body of D D Gupta, a senior officer.

Government sources said when they learnt of the airlift, they asked company officials where they had found Gupta's body. The officials were initially hesitant, but ultimately revealed the shocking story. Gupta, a quality control officer, had entered an access tunnel leading to the 1,200 MW Teesta Stage III Hydel Project site deep in the mountain recess.

When the temblor struck about 40 workers were drilling through the mountain to carry water from the dam at Chungthang, 100km from Gangtok, to the generation plant downstream at Mangan, Athena officials suspect. "It appears that some tunnels collapsed burying the men deep in the mountain," a government source said.

"It is unlikely that any of the workers survived the earthquake (that measured 6.8 on the Richter scale). And even if they did, it's doubtful that they'd hold out for very long. The area is mountainous and it will take days before tunnels are re-excavated and the bodies pulled out," a government official said.

Till late Tuesday afternoon, the company maintained that the construction site was intact and about eight people-six labourers and two junior engineers-had died when a boulder crushed their car near Saffo. But, now there are fears that Teesta Urja hasn't come out with the full disaster story. Several hundred workers are engaged at the construction site. A company official denied any tunnel had collapsed at Saffo.

Elsewhere, rescue teams inched close to the quake epicenter and columns of soldiers, riding trucks, tractors and earthmovers and armed with drills, cutters and pick-axes, completed an arduous trek to enter Mangan, the flattened headquarters of the North Sikkim district.

Mangan was a picture of devastation as many anxious and distraught residents waited as National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) personnel with Indo-Tibetan Border Police and the Indian Army men toiled to clear debris from blocked roads. The army used explosives to blow up boulder piles, some as tall as three-story buildings. In Gangtok, Sikkim DGP Jasbir Singh said he feared the toll could go much higher. "Yes, large areas are still cut off. We fear the toll could rise."

At Mangan, brick and mortar churches had collapsed, giant boulders blocked roads and landslides had flattened entire localities. "On reaching Mangan, we realized the epicenter was 50km north, where villages and habitations have suffered the worst damage," an NDRF officer said. Rescue teams set off for the area but their progress was stopped by a fresh landslide.

Source: Times of India

Sikkim earthquake unusual according to geologists

2011-09-20T23:44:00.000-07:00

The earthquake that rocked Sikkim on Sunday is unusual in terms of its magnitude and nature of origin, say leading geologists. "There is nothing surprising in this earthquake as the region north of Sikkim, which forms the outliers of Tibetan tectonics, is known for moderate earthquakes in
the past," C P Rajendran at the Indian Institute of Science here told IANS.

But what makes it different is its "unusually greater magnitude".

These earthquakes are different in the sense they are along the somewhat north-south structures trending transverse to the east-west Himalayan axis, Rajendran said. They are different from the usual Himalayan thrust earthquakes that are caused by the collision of the Indian plate with the Eurasian plate.

Vineet Gahaulat at the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) in Hyderabad said: "The (Sikkim) earthquake highlights the presence of the role of transverse features in the Himalayas."

"This 6.9 magnitude earthquake possibly occurred on a northwest-southeast trending almost vertical fault through strike slip motion."

"This is what we generally do not expect in the Himalayas," Gahaulat told IANS. "We expect large magnitude earthquakes on the detachment having thrust motion on gently dipping planes - like the 1999 Chamoli and 1991 Uttarkashi earthquakes."

Gahaulat said the role of transverse features in segmenting the Himalayan arc and accommodating some of the convergence of the India-Eurasia plates have been talked about earlier.

"But this one (Sikkim quake) makes it clearer as this is possibly the largest magnitude earthquake of this type in the Himalayas."

Gahaulat is also surprised at the fewer number of aftershocks - only two to three aftershocks of magnitude greater than 4.5. "So where are all the aftershocks gone? Are they yet to occur in the following days," he asked.

According to Gahaulat, "we need to be careful" if, in the coming days, the aftershocks occur southeast of the main shock epicentre - the way two aftershocks have occurred.

"The region where the main shock occurred has very low population density, but further southeast, population density is higher," he cautioned.

"The occurrence of this earthquake does not lower down the threat from the great earthquake which we expect in the Himalayas," the NGRI scientist warned.

The one (or more) which is expected will be a thrust type earthquake on the detachment which will be much more devastating than this one, he said.

"We need to treat each and every earthquake in a special way, you just need to turn it around and it will tell a somewhat different story."

Rajendran, however, does not think this particular event in Sikkim can be treated as a precursory signal to any major earthquake that may occur in future along the Himalayan arc.

"Having said that, the fact remains that some historically earthquake-deficient parts of the Himalayas has the potential to generate large earthquakes any time, irrespective of the present earthquake," he cautioned.

Source: Hindustan Times

Rahul Gandhi visits earthquake-hit areas of Sikkim

2011-09-20T23:42:00.000-07:00

New Delhi: Three days after the devastating earthquake, Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi was in Sikkim on Wednesday. Gandhi headed to affected areas across Gangtok to meet victims and their families.

He was scheduled to make a trip to Meghalaya on Wednesday for a public meeting of Youth Congress membership but changed his plan to include this visit.

Gandhi visited Gangtok on Wednesday morning before attending the scheduled Youth Congress meeting in Meghalaya.

His Youth Congress membership meeting is scheduled at 11:30 am at Mini Stadium, Ampathi in West Garo Hills District of Meghalaya.

The death toll in Sunday's powerful temblor has shot up to 82, 68 in India, including 53 in Sikkim, while more than 3,000 people have been rescued in quake-hit areas of Sikkim by defence forces so far.

With Additional Inputs from PTI

Sikkim Earthquake: Death toll rises

2011-09-19T21:34:00.000-07:00

The death toll in the 6.9-earthquake that convulsed Sikkim last night crossed 70 this evening as Army columns and paramilitary personnel battled torrential rain, mist and landslides that cut off affected areas and stalled relief and rescue work.

North and East Sikkim are the worst affected, where major stretches remain disconnected from Gangtok. Even where diggers and heavy earth movers barrelled their way through, rescue teams had a trying time reaching out to those trapped in the rubble. Until late tonight, medical teams were trying to reach Mangan, the spot closest to the epicentre of the quake. This despite the fact that the road to Mangan was cleared by late afternoon. Elsewhere, boulders and debris mark what were once roads.

Sikkim alone accounted for 41 deaths, most of them in the North District and in towns and villages like Rangpo, Dikchu, Singtam and Chungthang located along the Teesta river, officials said.

Officials said that when the quake struck last evening, there were several vehicles on the Gangtok-Mangan route and many of these could have been “tossed off the road” or crushed under moving mountains of debris. “We have reports of several people missing but can only act on these once the road is restored,” said an official. As many as 22 people travelling in a bus are reported missing since last evening in north Sikkim.

As dusk descended over the hills today, marking 24 hours of the quake, panic returned to haunt residents. At Rongpo, an hour’s drive from Gangtok, the commercial hub was shut down and people were huddled under the cloud-covered sky. “There are fears that the quake may return tonight as well. We are not taking any chances and have come out in the open. How long we will be able to stand out we don’t know, but when we return to our homes, there is a strange feeling that’s overpowering many,” said a resident.

As many as 105 Army columns, with an estimated 5,000 personnel, have moved into the affected areas. Their primary objective is to restore road, telecom and power links. Colonel Om Prakash, an Army spokesman, said as many as 20 blockades had been cleared on National Highway 3, linking Siliguri to Gangtok. But airdropping operations had to be abandoned because of bad weather — about 2000 packets of dry food and matchboxes sat at Bagdogra airport. Electricity and telecom links were partially restored in Gangtok.

In the city’s outskirts, labourers from many project worksites have fled their posts and moved to Gangtok where several families have pitched tents in open spaces where they prepared to spend a second night.

Said Gopal Chhetri, Superintendent of a pharmacy college hostel, “Himalayan Home,” about 35 km from Gangtok: “I had a full house till yesterday with 280 student boarders. Today, I am left with just 60, many of them are trying to leave and go home.” These included Prasanta Sinha, a student form Bankura; Kamalendu Bagchi form Tripura and Dip, a second-year student. All stood by the highway trying to hitch a ride to Siliguri and home. Chhetri said: “As long as all the students don’t leave, I can’t. It’s a nightmare to live in rooms with all the walls cracked.” One of his students, Sandipan Banerjee, was killed when the roof caved in.

One of his cousins, Chiranjit Sinha, flew today to collect the body. On the flight here, he ran into West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who also left for Siliguri and Darjeeling today. She assured his family of all help.

At Singtam, the fire station is the new shelter. Vandana Chhetri, wife of D K Chhetri, a fire brigade havildar, is fighting the trauma. “It is terrible to stare at the cracks on the walls and ignore the fear,” said Vandana. Public address announcements urging people to be alert has added to the panic. A three-storied building behind the fire station collapsed yesterday injuring many.

In next door West Bengal, the death toll until late tonight was eight, most from Darjeeling where, according to preliminary estimates, as many as 70% of the buildings had developed cracks. The Rajbari in Darjeeling, a landmark, has developed wide cracks while the ceiling in two rooms of the District Magistrate’s office collapsed. Because it was a Sunday, there were no injuries. The Darjeeling Planter’s Club, yet another landmark in the city, was scarred with cracks.

Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling toured the quake-hit areas in and around the capital town to assess damage. He announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the kin of the deceased, Rs 50,000 for those

grievously injured and Rs 25,000 for those with minor injuries. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced Rs 2

lakh as ex-gratia to next of kin of those killed in the earthquake and Rs 1 lakh each for those seriously injured.

Source: Indian Express

Darjeeling takes stock post earthquake

2011-09-19T21:13:00.000-07:00

Sikkim and the Darjeeling Hills took stock of the situation following the 6.8 magnitude earthquake that shook Sikkim, Darjeeling and other parts of the country on Sunday. The death toll shot up to 4 in the Darjeeling district and 49 in Sikkim. Taking stock of the situation
Saumitra Mohan, District Magistrate (DM) stated that most of the old buildings of the Hills have developed cracks, in many cases walls have also caved in, roads have sunk, while landslides have been triggered off.

There have been reports of numerous landslides on the National Highway 31A to Sikkim and National Highway 55 connecting Darjeeling Hills with the plains of Siliguri. The NH31A remained closed throught the day owing to multiple landslides.

However, the Border Road Organization (BRO) managed to open up the highway for one way traffic in the evening.

In Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, electricity was restored on Monday along with telephone and cellular phone connectivity. There were no reports of any death from the Sikkim capital Gangtok.

However, North Sikkim remained the worst effected. Death toll reached 49 in Sikkim during the filing of this copy.

Most of the Government buildings, including the Sikkim state secretariat had developed cracks.

In the Darjeeling district one Pushpa Agarwal (Female, 34) had died from debris falling on her; Bhim Tamang of Gorubathan also became a victim of the quake, along with Vinod Agarwal of Siliguri who died from head injuries; Arjun Panchkotey a clerk at the Pankhabari High School died in a landslide in Longview tea Estate in the Kurseong sub division.

There was report of an old lady dying from a cardiac attack in Darjeeling after the quake.

The Block Development Officers (BDO) kept a close tab of the situation from ground zero. Many Government offices were effected by the earthquake.

The DM’s confidential office in Darjeeling, his residence along with the old secretariat building of the Darjeeling town developed serious cracks.

The treasury building at Kalimpong has been shifted to the town hall.

Deputy magistrate Namo Sherpa had had a miraculous escape. “I was in my chamber when the earthquake occurred. I went under the table. In seconds the debris from the ceiling including bricks and wooden planks began to fall all around me. I though I would not make it however I remained unhurt under the table” stated Shepa, talking to HT.

School buildings have been the worst effected. Most of the old schools including Loreto Convent, St. Teresa’s, Mount Hermon developed major cracks in the old school building.

“Around 125 schools in the Darjeeling sub division alone has been effected” stated Binay Dewan, president, Janmukti Secondary Teacher’s Organisation (JSTO.) All hill schools remained closed on Monday.

One of the oldest landmarks of the town, Nripendra Narayan Bengali Hindu Hall was damaged with the old building developing cracks, a wall collapsing and the main dome of the temple also being damaged.

Though the Hill towns tried to limp back to normalcy, fear and anxiety loomed large. Many shops and shopping malls downed shutters on Monday.

“After the earthquake I’m not in a mood to sell despite this being the “Dasain” (Dushera- an important festival in the Hills) marketing season” stated Tenzin, a garment shop owner.

The Darjeeling Sadar Hospital had been the epicenter of panic following the earthquake on Sunday. Soon after the earthquake, patients helped by their relatives and friends rushed down to the ground floor in a near stampede like situation.

“There was no electricity and people people were grappling with each other to rush down the five floors. There was no electricity. Some were carrying the patients on their shoulders while others carried oxygen cylinders and drips being administered to the patients. There was utter chaos” stated Tika Sharma, a resident.

Many of the patients refused to stay back and left forcefully while the remaining bedded themselves on the floor of the ground floor and the entrance. “There were 274 patients in the hospital on Sunday. The number dropped to 146 after the quake in the evening. On Monday around 128 beds remained occupied at the Darjeeling District Hospital. The hospital is complete safe, the patients should return” stated Dawa Lama, president, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, Darjeeling sub divisional committee.

Lebong army cantonment area in Darjeeling developed huge cracks with local residents taking shelter in army relief camps.

Source: Hindustan Times

Sikkim-Darjeeling Earthquake: Darjeeling cut off, panic in N Bengal

2011-09-19T00:46:00.000-07:00

The West Bengal government has asked the Army to assist civil authorities, if needed, in relief and rescue work in Darjeeling and some other North Bengal districts affected by the massive quake that hit the region on Sunday evening.

Darjeeling remained cut off from the rest of the country as landslides blocked major roads and power lines snapped.

“I have talked to the army authorities here and requested them to provide help if necessary,” Chief Secretary Samar Ghosh said.

Four deaths were reported in the state, three in Darjeeling district and one in Jalpaiguri district, Ghosh said. Of the deaths in Darjeeling district, one each occurred in Kalimpong, Kurseong and Siliguri sub-divisions, he said.

“The epicentre of the quake is on the Sikkim-Nepal border and the intensity of the quake is 6.8 on the Richter scale,” said G C Debnath, director of Alipore Meterological Centre. He said aftershocks were felt in North Bengal at 6.11 pm.

Debnath said because of inclement weather and the quake, there could be landslides at some places in North Bengal.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged people not to panic. “I have spoken to Chief Minister of Sikkim. I hope the situation will not be as bad in North Bengal,” she said.

The Chief Minister said assessment of the damage in North Bengal, particularly in the hills, was not possible before morning.

Banerjee said there have been damage in Darjeeling Hills “but hopefully not on the scale that has happened in Sikkim”.

She said efforts were on to restore power supply in the hill areas of Darjeeling and Kalimpong.

“The Darjeeling district magistrate has already been asked to assess whether there has been any damage to any building or household in the hills,” Banerjee said, adding that necessary assistance will be provided in case of any damage.

“District Magistrates, SPs, city police commissioner and disaster management and power departments have been asked to remain alert. I am also monitoring the entire situation,” Banerjee said.

The chief minister also cautioned people to remain alert against the activities of anti-social elements. “Anti-socials always take advantage of difficult situation and exploit people. Keep your eyes open,” she said.

State Commerce and Industries Minister Partha Chatterjee has left for Jalpaiguri. According to the Chief Minister, he and Gautam Deb, Minister for North Bengal Development, will jointly assess the situation.

Source: PTI

Sikkim earthquake: Two dead in Darjeeling

2011-09-18T19:17:00.000-07:00

The Sikkim earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale on Sunday claimed two lives in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal along with 2 in Sikkim, 2 in Bihar and 5 in Nepal. With cell phone and landline services coming to a standstill in the entire Hills and adjoining areas,
communication became a next to impossible task. People spent hours trying frantically to contact their near and dear ones. The Hills were plunged into darkness with electricity being cut off.

Saumitra Mohan, District Magistrate, Darjeeling talking to HT stated " There are reports of one Pushpa Agarwal losing her life in Kalimpong with debris falling on her from a building under construction. There are reports of many areas having sunk, roads and walls having caved in and cracks in buildings. We are trying to access the situation."

Unconfirmed reports stated that one Arjun Bishwakarma had lost his life from a rock having crashed upon him in Doodhey under the Kurseong sub division. There were reports of people suffering minor injuries mostly caused by stampedes during the earthquake (trying to rush out of the buildings.) In many buildings in the town glass panes were shattered, crockery tumbled out from the kitchen shelves. People preferred to remain outdoors, the fear of aftershocks emerging more prominent that the constant rains.

"In all my life I have never witnessed such fear. I had run out of my house but could not find an empty space nearby where I would be safe"stated Pema, resident of one of high rises in town.

With unplanned urbanization and with the mushrooming of high rises in the Hills, the day's earthquake was just an indication of the destruction that could be caused in case of such calamities in near future.

Darjeeling has a long seismic history and lies in the 4th Seismic zone. Major (Retd.) KPMalla, Former Secretary of the Red Cross Society, Darjeeling having survived one of the worst earthquakes of this region, as a primary school student, reminisced that on the 14th January 1934 there was a heavy earthquake measuring around 7 on the Richter scale
"Ï was a student at the Selimbong Primary School. The school collapsed. It felt as if the ground below my feet had turned into liquid and was sinking. There was utter chaos as people saw death staring at their faces"stated Malla. The earthquake had left around 100 people dead and many injured with the large constructions like the Governor House and the Burdwan Maharaja's palace damaged.

However during that time there were no high rises, most of the houses were single storied and wooden construction with no electricity. The population was also very thin. The next major earthquake was in 1988. Though no loss of life was reported there was large-scale damage to constructions.

"Now an earthquake of around 7 is enough to wipe us all out. There is no open space in Darjeeling town with huge constructions and narrow roads. We don't even have the infrastructure like mobile electrical machines to remove the debris after an earthquake or other safety measures to save us. Even heavy machinery cannot be brought in through the narrow mountain road"said Malla.

The last earthquake that the Darjeeling Hills and Sikkim had felt had occurred on June 3, 2011 measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale.

Fear loomed large. "There are many patients who have left the Darjeeling Sadar Hospital out of fear"stated Dr. S Bhowmik, Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH), Darjeeling.

Electricity was restored to different parts of the Hills at around 10.20 pm with cell phone and landline services still remaining largely elusive.

Source: Hindustan Times

18 dead in Sikkim and Darjeeling earthquake; 200 rescued, many trapped

2011-09-18T19:14:00.000-07:00

18 people lost their lives as a 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit sikkim on Sunday evening. The death toll is at 18 which includes 7 in Sikkim, 4 in West Bengal 2 in Bihar and 5 in Nepal.

The armed forces have deployed teams for relief and rescue activity, the centre is also sending emergency teams in. But heavy rains, intermittent power cut, and loss of mobile phone connectivity did hamper rescue operations in the initial hours.

At 6.10 pm on Sunday evening, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake rocked Sikkim. Mangan, 54 km from Gangtok, was the epicentre of that quake that left a trail of death and massive damages in its wake. It was not just Sikkim that was shaken, the tremors were felt in Delhi, West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, North East and Nepal.

The quake has cut off Sikkim. Mobile connectivity has been hit. The national highway is closed after heavy rains followed by landslides and there are reports of people being trapped. The Army has already reached out to the afftected.

The Centre has rushed in teams of the National Disaster Response Force. They have been flown in from Delhi and Kolkata till Bagdora from where they proceed by road. But the bad weather and landslides are posing huge challenges.

The quake has given a rude jolt to Sikkim, Darjeeling and many parts of northern and eastern India. Several homes and properties have been damaged but a clearer picture of the extent of damages is yet to come out.

Rescue operations underway

Rescue operations began within hours of the quake striking. Army columns in small teams have been deployed across Sikkim to provide humanitarian assistance. These columns comprise medical teams with first aid kits as well as engineers. 400 personnel from the National Disaster Relief Force have reached Bagdogra from where they will move by road.

30 columns from the 33 Cors in Siliguri are also engaged in rescue activity. Bihar is sending 160 personnel in. The BSF rescue team and the dog squad are there too. The DGP of Sikkim who was in Delhi when the disaster occured will set out for Gangtok on Monday.

Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel rescued 200 civilians including 22 tourists, they've taken refuge at the Pegong camp. An IAF team carrying supplies is on its way.

Bihar, Gujarat offer assistance

States like Bihar and Bengal are also sending rescue teams to Sikkim. Others too have offered assistance.

"When the earthquake happened I too felt the termor. Our departments are on the job, we are gathering information," said Bihar Chief Minis Nitish Kumar.

"On behalf of the people of Gujarat I convey my condolences. Such a situation demands cooperation from all. The Gujarat government is ready to extend support to all those who have been affected," said Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

Source: IBN Live

Seven dead as 6.9 magnitude quake rocks hits Sikkim and Darjeeling

2011-09-18T09:13:00.000-07:00

Seven people were killed today after an earthquake of intensity measuring 6.9 on Richter Scale hit Sikkim and the northern and eastern India as well as Nepal, reports said.

The earthquake claimed one life at Singtham in East Sikkim district, while another died just outside Singtham, state chief secretary Karma Gyatso said. 33 others received minor injuries in Sikkim. A man in Bhagalpur district died in a stampede after the quake shook parts of Bihar. While, five people in Nepal are reported to be dead.

The epicentre of the quake was located at Latitude 27.7 degree North and Longitude 88.2 degree East, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Several buildings developed major cracks in Sikkim, state chief secretary Karma Gyatso said.

Disaster Management personnel were deployed in affected areas, he added.

Immediately after getting the report, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh spoke to Sikkim chief minister Pawan Kumar Chamling and offered him all necessary help.

With the quake felt in Assam, parts of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, the Prime Minister directed the Cabinet Secretary to call an emergency meeting of the disaster management authority.

The quake which was felt for some seconds around 6.10 pm triggered panic among the people who were enjoying their Sunday evening.

There was however no immediate report on any casualty or damage to property.

In the national capital, the tremor was felt in certain parts -- the second such experience within a fortnight after Delhiites were jolted around midnight on September 7.

Delhi's suburb Gurgaon and some other parts of the National Capital Region (NCR) experienced very mild tremor.

The quake was also felt in various parts of Bihar, a Patna report said. As buildings shook, people rushed out to open places.

A report from Darbhanga district in north Bihar said the quake was felt there too. The tremor was also felt in Madhubani, Samastipur, Nawada, Munger and other districts.

Neighbouring Jharkhand also felt the shock, according to a Ranchi report.

"We saw computers, chairs and tables rattling in our office," said Manu Singh and Binod Singh, who were among those who rushed out in the open.

People in Sahebganj and Giridih also experienced the tremor.

In the north, besides the national capital, the tremors were felt in Jaipur and nearby areas of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.

Panic gripped people in Lucknow and some other places in Uttar Pradesh where the quake was also felt. The tremors were felt in Mau, Azamgarh, Deoria, Ballia and other towns. The earthquake was also experienced in parts of Haryana and Chandigarh where the intensity was mild.

A Bhopal report said reports of tremors were received from Gwalior, Bhopal, Hoshangabad and other parts of Madhya Pradesh.

Source: Hindustan Times

Festival for Siliguri shoppers - The frills: ramp walk

2011-09-16T18:55:00.000-07:00

Siliguri, Sept. 16: The Shoppers Stop Sananda Pujo Bazar today fired up the festive mood as models sashayed the ramps in the latest haute couture that the store has on offer.

Sananda from the ABP Group, which also brings out The Telegraph, is the event co-ordinator for the festival that was inaugurated by actress Chaiti Ghoshal at the Shoppers Stop outlet at City Centre here today. The festival will continue till October 2.

“It is a privilege for me to inaugurate the Shoppers Stop Pujor Bazar here.

I am a regular customer at the outlets of the store and I am very fond of their clothes, accessories and beauty and cosmetics products. Now that there is an outlet here, people will have a very good shopping experience,” Chaiti said.

The outlet was opened in Siliguri in March this year.“We organise such festivals at the outlets in Calcutta every year. But this is the first time we are holding it in Siliguri. We hope the customers find a delightful shopping experience at our store,” said Naveen Mishra, customer care associate & area controller (East) of Shoppers Stop.

Along with the fun activities like makeover sessions, customers have a chance to win trips to Pattaya and Kerala through lucky draws.

“Customers who make purchases of Rs 3000 and above will get lucky coupons. The lucky draw will be held in Calcutta on October 12. The mega-prize is a trip to Pattaya in Bangkok. The first prize is a trip to Kerala and others prizes include LCD TV, cell phones etc,” Mishra added.

The inauguration of the festival was followed by a fashion show in three sequences showcasing the Utsav collection, an assortment of traditional wear available under brands like Stop, Kashish and Haute Curry.

Tomorrow, the store will showcase its autumn/winter western collection of its brands Stop, Eliza, Donatein, iJeanswear, Intense, Austin Reed and Life.

Source: The Telegraph

Rebel Gorkha leader Chattrey Subba criticizes GTA

2011-09-16T07:48:00.000-07:00

Darjeeling: Seventy one years old Chattrey Subba is considering taking sannyas from politics. However the rebel did not fail to criticize the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA- an administrative arrangement for the Darjeeling Hills) and pitched for the separate state of Gorkhaland. It was aday of mixed emotions at the Subba household at Raushey Bazar in Kalimpong on Saturday, the day after Chattrey's release from the correctional home after 10 long years. While the family celebrated his return; bail being denied to his son Santosh Subba in a different case, cast a long shadow on the revelry.Subba had been arrested on March 24, 2001 in connection with the Subash Ghising assassination bid case. He was finally acquitted on September 9, 2011.Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) leader Subash Ghising, then the Chairman of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) had been attacked at Saath-ghoomti under the Kurseong sub division, on his way back from Delhi. Two police drivers died in the attack along with a suspected attacker. Six others were injured.“Whosoever raises the demand for Gorkhaland is either murdered as in the case of Madan Tamang or sent behind bars like me. Even the GTA deal has been clinched over Madan Tamang’s dead body. Blackmailing over the murder forced a compromise” alleged Subba.“I believe that only Gorkhaland can resolve the crisis of the Gorkhas. I do not have faith in anything less. Because I opposed the DGHC earlier Ghising along with the government conspired and sent me behind bars. The attack on Ghising was orchestrated by Ghising and the government to put me behind bars. While in the Correctional Home the government had offered me a high power Council which I could head. However I did not accept their proposal hence I was forced to languish in jail. They even tried to kill me” alleged Subba.He stated that while he was in the correctional home in 2003 he had a severe heart ailment and was shifted from the Jalpaiguri Correctional Home to a medical facility in Kolkata. “There they had kept me under heavy security without giving me a single medicine for my cardiac ailment. But seeing that I did not die they were forced to send me back to the correctional home in Jalpaiguri.Subba used to head the militant wing of the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) during the violent agitation of the 80’s led by Subash Ghising. He however had parted ways with Ghising over the formation of the DGHC in 1988. He had floated a new outfit Gorkha Liberation Organisation (GLO) Subba had vehemently opposed the DGHC and had given a call for the continuation of the separate state agitation.“Councils and similar administrative bodies delay the main goal of separate State. It also does not fulfill the political identity issue not accords a political security to the Gorkhas. Only a separate state than ensure this” stated Subba.When questioned on his future plans, Subba stated “My family members want me to retire from politics and I am planning to do so.” More than 10 years behind bars seemed to have dampened the rebel spirit.Regarding his son Santosh Subba being arrested in the Kalimpong blast incident, Subba stated “If he is guilty he should be punished. If not they should not keep him behind bars like they did to me for 10 years after which they acquitted me. I have lost precious years of my life”On July 26, 2011, the Kalimpong motor stand was rocked by a low intensity blast at around 3am in the morning with a stove allegedly planted below a North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) bus having exploded. Santosh was arrested in connection with this case on July 31.“I am happy that my husband is back home after 10 long years but I am also sad that my son is behind bars though he is innocent like his father” stated Monika Subba, wife of Chattrey Subba.Source: Hindustan Times

Hill results held back, NBU asks for scripts - College sees ‘hurt ego’ at work, threatens to move court

2011-09-16T07:45:00.000-07:00

Darjeeling, Sept. 14: The post-graduate results of Darjeeling Government College’s Nepali department has been withheld by the university which has asked instead for “term papers” or dissertations of the nine examinees, triggering speculation that the institute was being targeted because of its consistent good results over the years.North Bengal University claimed that the matter was confidential and related to an RTI application and so could not be discussed with the media.College principal Dipak Roy, while threatening that the institute might explore legal options, said the rule does not allow for any re-evaluation of term papers which has been already checked by university-appointed professors. Nor is it mandatory, he said, to provide the university with the papers once more for whatsoever reason.The results of all other students who appeared for the fourth semester at the postgraduate level were published on August 24.Five days later when the nine students wrote to university controller S. Das requesting him to release their results, the official wrote back to the principal saying the college authorities should send the “term papers” of the students to the university.“In persuasion of the resolution taken in the meeting dated August 16, 2011, by the Board of Studies, Nepali, you are requested to arrange to send the term paper of the following students of Semester-IV at Darjeeling Government College centre for necessary action at this end to comply with the aforesaid resolution of the board,” the letter read.A post-graduate student has to sit for four general papers of 50 marks each and two special papers of 100 during the fourth semester.Only one term paper of 50 marks has to be submitted during the semester. Term papers are like dissertations submitted to the college by the students but are evaluated by university-appointed teachers. The scores have to be sent to the university while tabulating the final marksheet. The remaining 50 of the 400 marks is kept for viva voce.The principal said he was surprised that the two members of the university board of studies who are teachers of the college were not informed about the August 16 meeting mentioned in the letter, despite the fact that the resolution adopted was related to the college. This fact was brought to the notice of the university by the head of the Nepali department, Sujata Rani Rai.In her letter to the university joint registrar S.C. Das, Rai said: “I would like to draw your attention to the fact that this department has two existing elected members of the PG Board of Studies in Nepali. It is surprising that both the members of this institution were unaware of this meeting where such a crucial issue (to seek for term papers) of this department was discussed.” The board of studies is in charge of a particular subject and frames syllabus and questions and chalks out exam schedules.The NBU’s decision, according to college authorities, is a result of a “badly hurt ego” given the fact that students here performed well at the postgraduate level. Rai said since the PG course was introduced in the college nine years ago, there have been two university toppers from the college.“And our overall results have been consistently very good. For example, in the second semester, we had seven first classes,” the head of the department said.Principal Ray said there was no rule in the university, which stated that dissertations can be re-evaluated. “All the more, because they have been evaluated once by university-appointed teachers. Also, how can the university declare results partially. Our students have been topping the university quite a few times and according to our source, the same trend has been repeated this year. The move by the NBU looks like a fallout of a badly hurt ego as ‘their’ students are not topping the exam,” he said.By “their students” Ray meant those who have got admitted to postgraduate course on the NBU campus itself.“But we are exploring options of going to court. Students are suffering as those who want to pursue PhD have to file their application for the entrance examination by September end. But the PG results have not yet been published,” said Ray.The university was not very forthcoming in its argument. “The students have filed an application under the RTI and since this is a confidential matter I cannot speak to the media on this issue,” said controller Das said. Source: The Telegraph

Roshan Giri meets home secretary

2011-09-16T07:43:00.000-07:00

Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leader Roshan Giri met state home secretary G D Gautam at Writers' Buildings on Monday and discussed the first steps towards making Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) in Darjeeling functional. There were also discussions on setting up of an administrative complex, a secretariat and staff quarters.at a meeting with West Bengal home secretary G. D. Gautama at Writers' Buildings in Kolkata on Monday discussed the first steps to make Gorkhaland Territorial Administration in Darjeeling functional, the setting up of an administrative complex, a secretariat and staff quartes.Giri later said that a detailed meeting was held on the functioning of the proposed GTA. With the GTA Bill having been passed in the assembly with the necessary amendments, GJM leaders were now getting ready to make GTA functional."We are preparing For that we are getting ready and preparing the required infrastructure for functioning of the GTA," he said. Only a formal nod from GJM president Bimal Gurung was now awaited.For proper implementation of different clauses of the memorandum of agreement signed between GJM, the state government and the Centre, a series of talks with Kolkata and Delhi would now be necessary. In Monday's discussions, the possibility of appointment of members of th GJM's youth brigade in the state police and the army were discussed.Giri discussed with the home secretary also about setting of the three-tier panchayat system in the hills and how the panchayats would function to accelerate development. Panchayat bodies in the hills had turned defunct since 2004 as there was no election. Moreover, the panchayat system in the hills was a two-tier one, with gram panchayats and panchayat samities but no zilla parishad. Till now, the outgoing Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council was functioning also as the zilla parishad.Giri discussed the issue of giving proper status to scheduled tribes in the hills, as there was a sizeable tribal population. Giri said that scheduled castes should also get their dues., he said.GJM leaders would soon hold a meeting with the Backward Classes Commission so that people of backward classes had better opportunities. An official said in the hills about 30 per cent of the population were tribals and about 18 per cent were scheduled castes.The task of delimitation of constituencies for holding the GTA elections would also have to be taken up. While the state government wants the process of holding the elections and the survey for inclusion of additional areas in Dooars and Terai to continue as parallel processes, GJM wants the elections to be held after completion of the process of inclusion of new areas. Giri refused to comment on the progress in inclusion of Dooars and Terai areas to GTA, saying that a high power committee for identification of areas was doing its job.Source: Times of India

Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) Bill passed with changes - CM firm on state's integrity, GJMM sticks to stand

2011-09-03T01:21:00.000-07:00

KOLKATA, 2 SEPT: The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Bill, 2011 was today passed in the state Assembly with the government accepting most of the demands of the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM). The GJMM insisted that it was not giving up its demand for a separate state and chief minister Miss Mamata Banerjee asserted that the state's territorial integrity would remain intact. She urged the Opposition not to raise the bogey that the formation of the GTA would create disaffection among the Hills and the plains people. The chief minister also announced that the panchayati raj system would be introduced in the Hills ensuring that there is no conflict between the GTA and the panchayat bodies. The state government, she said, had already apprised the Centre of the matter so that the Constitution could be suitably amended. The state government moved a series of amendments, including insertion of the words, “ethnic identity of Gorkhas established”, in the preamble of the Bill, and dropped the term “Sabha”. It accepted the GJMM’s demands for giving Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) “administrative and financial” powers along with executive powers. The amendment also barred the transfer of the principal secretary to the GTA within a period of two years without the consent of the GTA. It also allowed the GTA to create posts equivalent to government Group-D staff and make regulations relating to their service conditions with the approval of the government. The state government accepted the GJMM’s demand that the quorum of the GTA should not be more than one-third of the total number of members and it said there would be no provision for nominating any member to the GTA by the Governor. One of the amendments read, the chief executive of the GTA would resign from office by giving notice in writing, addressed to the Governor, instead of the chief minister. The government turned down the Leader of the Opposition’s move to refer the GTA Bill to a select committee for a detailed review. It also turned down amendments for renaming the Act as Darjeeling Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Act, 2011. A division demanded by the Opposition on omitting the clause of constituting a committee for examining the question of identification and transfer of additional areas of Siliguri, Terai and Dooars to the region, was turned down by 159 to 45 votes. Miss Banerjee took exception to the Opposition's alarmist posturing over the formation of the committee for exploring the possibilities of inclusion of the Terai and the Dooars in the GTA. “It’s you (the Opposition) who are trying to sow seeds of discord in the Hills. When we signed the agreement for solving the problems in the Hills, the Opposition called a bandh there and tried to mislead the people about our plan to settle the dispute,” she said. Mr Harkabahadur Chhetri (GJMM MLA) thanked the chief minister and her government for expediting the peace process in the Hills. “We have come out of the situation created by the Left Front government with much difficulty,” he said.Locals celebrate DARJEELING, 2 SEPT: People across the Darjeeling Hills today celebrated the passage of the GTA Bill in the state Assembly. The common refrain here is: “It would restore peace and usher in development in the long-restless Hills.” The GJMM activists celebrated the event by bursting firecrackers and taking out rallies. Several of them were found dancing to traditional Gorkha tunes. The main ‘victory’ congregation was held at Chowrasta, known as the hub of the hill-town. “We are glad that the Bill has been passed today. The peace-loving people in the Hills are now looking forward to the constitution of the GTA through elections. The Hills needs development and peace above everything,” said Mr Vikram Rai, a local resident.The people thanked the CM for passing the Bill. But beneath the surface glee and celebration, there is a lurking apprehension lest the GTA follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, the DGHC. “The responsibility of the GJMM has increased manifolds. We all have to be vigilant all through to prevent the body from degenerating and getting bogged down in the cesspool of corruption and authoritarianism in the way the DGHC was discredited in the collective perception. The state should bring the GTA under the Lokayukta to check corruption,” Miss Sulochana Thapa, an NGO worker, said. ambika pradhan Source: The Statesman

GTA bill passed with changes State hears voice of hills

2011-09-03T01:15:00.000-07:00

Calcutta, Sept. 2: The government today accommodated most of the changes sought by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and passed the bill to set up the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration for the Darjeeling hills.The Mamata Banerjee government, through the 54 amendments it brought to the GTA bill, tried to ensure that the legislation was in accordance with the tripartite agreement and the hill body got more autonomy.Soon after the bill was circulated among the MLAs on Monday, the Morcha leadership had said the bill did not reflect all the provisions agreed upon in the deal signed by the hill party, the state and the Centre, on July 18.The Morcha was also cut up because the preamble of the bill did not mention that one of the reasons for the creation of the GTA was to establish the ethnic identity of the Gorkhas.“The state government today made several amendments to the bill and we are happy that all our demands have been fulfilled,” said Morcha general secretary Roshan Giri after the bill was passed in the House by a voice vote. Some demands, however, like removal of “incompetence” as reason for the government to supersede the GTA was not accommodated.The leader of the Opposition, Surjya Kanta Mishra, requested the government to send the bill to a select committee, but the government rejected the suggestion. Unlike a standing committee which exists for every department and for the entire term of the government, a select committee is created only on a need-basis. It consists of expert MLAs who can deal with a particular issue and is dissolved as soon as the issue is resolved. “Unanimous decisions used to be taken (a reference to the Left Front regime) on issues pertaining to the hills. The government should try to reach a consensus over this bill. We also want to include the word ‘Darjeeling’ in the name of the proposed body,” said Mishra.Mishra also protested the setting up of a government panel to look into the Morcha demand to bring territories in the Dooars and the Terai under the GTA. “I have no objection to more autonomy for this body, but further inclusion of territory will open a Pandora’s Box …. Also, the elections to the GTA should be conducted by the state election commission and not the state government,” said Mishra.The government, however, turned down all of Mishra’s suggestions.In reply to Opposition charges, the chief minister cited the Left Front government’s willingness to name the new hill body, the Gorkhaland Regional Authority after a round of tripartite talks in August last year. She also reassured the people of the Dooars and the Terai that “no harm” would come their way.“A campaign is on against us, people are being misinformed that we will give up the Terai and the Dooars and divide the state. The people of Darjeeling are our brothers, those of the Dooars and the Terai are our sisters. We will not let harm come in the way of either our brothers or our sisters,” said Mamata.She also told the House that the government would set up a development board for Lepchas. The Lepchas, one of the indigenous tribes of the Darjeeling hills, have been demanding a development council which will preserve the culture of the community and also help in its growth. They had been demonstrating in front of Writers’ for some time. Many of them had been arrested last month for violating Section 144 in front of Writers’.Of the 54 amendments to the hill bill, 41 involved the omission of the word “sabha”, the repeated use of which the Morcha had objected to. The hill body had said the word undermined the new arrangement by conveying the idea that only a “sabha” or a local body was being created and not an entire administrative set-up.“We have worked hard to ensure that nothing in the bill is against our interest unlike the earlier political leaders who were in a hurry to accept whatever was being offered. We have been sincere to our people and it is their victory,” said an elated Giri, while directing a barb at the GNLF whose chief Subash Ghisingh had signed the agreement for the formation of the DGHC.“It is a historic day for the people of Darjeeling. We are happy with this bill. However, our demand for a separate state stands. We are hopeful that one day this House will rise to justify the just demand for Gorkhaland,” said Morcha MLA Harka Bahadur Chhetri.During the discussion on the bill before its enactment, the Opposition had raised questions on whether the integrity of the state was being jeopardised by the government’s concessions to the Morcha.In his response, Chhetri told the House: “Let the question of integrity no longer be used as a weapon to suppress the voices of the minorities.”Source: The Telegraph

Bidder picked for park - without visitors for 16 months

2011-09-03T01:13:00.001-07:00

Gangtok, Sept. 2: The Sikkim tourism department seems to have finally zeroed in on a private firm to run Kanchenjungha tourist villa, a Rs 55 crore amusement park at Ranka.The park had been touted a major tourist attraction and a much-needed recreational centre for people in and around Gangtok.But the facility hasn’t been opened to the public, even 16 months after it was inaugurated by President Pratibha Patil. The delay has been attributed to the government’s inability to find a private firm to operate the park on lease.Four tenders had been floated since April last year to seek a firm to operate and maintain the park.The rural development department, the nodal agency for the construction of the park, had last year floated two tenders, which were scrapped at the last moment. The first tender was aborted as it was bagged by master con man Rajesh Jhunjhunwala on the basis of fake bank documents. The second tender was scrapped as the government decided to hand over the park to the tourism department.The tourism department also floated two tenders and there were no takers for the first one.“A private company, which quoted the highest bid, has been selected from the second tender. The state government is likely to give its approval to the firm,” said a senior tourism official.But the tourism officials were non-committal on when the park would be declared open for the public.With no firm in charge to run the park on a commercial basis, the facility is lying idle.A couple of security guards from a private agency are posted at the park at Ranka, 35km from Gangtok. They while away all the time with no tourist making a beeline for the park.“Tourists do come here enquiring about the amusement park and they return when we tell them that it has not been opened for public as yet. They must have heard about the park here,” said one of the guards posted outside the locked park.Fourteen private security personnel man the park, which is spread over 17.5 acres.“Everything seems to be complete inside and all machines are fine. Sometimes, officials from the government and the construction company come for maintenance. Rest of the time, it is all quiet here,” said the guard.The project funded by the Centre is a unique tourism attraction fusing cultural ethos of Sikkim and modern amusement amenities with the objective of providing wholesome entertainment to tourists.The park has 12 shopping arcades for selling handicrafts and souvenirs of Sikkim. There are also amusement facilities like musical fountain with laser shows, a multilevel plaza, open air theatre, ride stimulators, swimming pool, bar and bowling alleys. Source: The Telegraph

Tax non-payment takes toll on trade - Merchants fail to buy goods from outside state

2011-09-03T01:10:00.001-07:00

Darjeeling, Sept. 1: The non-payment of sales tax by the traders in the Darjeeling hills because of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha’s call for a non-co-operation movement is posing a major problem for the business community in stocking up their goods just when the tourist season is looking good.The shop owners cannot purchase goods from outside Bengal as they cannot furnish the waybills, which are mandatory for the inter-state trade. The sales tax department can give waybills only if it is satisfied that the traders have cleared all dues.For the first time since 2007, Darjeeling is expecting a high footfall of visitors and most of the hotels have already been booked for the coming season. However, traders who primarily need to bring in goods from outside Bengal are at the receiving end.“Since the tourists’ inflow was not too high in the past three years, we did not really need to bring in goods from outside Bengal. However, we are expecting a very good season and it is necessary for us to bring items from outside the state. But we are now facing problems,” said a trader who deals in handicrafts that is brought from various parts of India.The problem arises from the fact that more than 1,100 registered traders in the hills have not paid their sales taxes since 2008. The traders cannot generate a waybill as they haven’t cleared the sales taxes. “The sales tax department is computerised and if anyone needs to get a waybill, the software finds out whether dues have been cleared or not. If the dues are not cleared, the way-bills cannot be generated,” said a trader.The waybills can be obtained for free and have to be sent to the outstation traders. Then, the goods are sent from outside Bengal along with the waybills. Products which are not accompanied by the way-bill can be seized by the commercial tax officials at any checkpost.The Morcha said it had already written to the Centre to waive off the entire outstanding dues accumulated during the three years of non-co-operation movement.However, for the traders time is running out.“We need to stock up on goods this month or else, we will not have enough items to sell,” said a trader.The traders are also in a dilemma as outstanding sales tax dues are accumulating with every passing day. A district official said the sales tax dues had touched the Rs 25-crore mark.If a trader, who sells items worth more than Rs 10,000 a month, doesn’t file his tax returns, he has to pay a fine of Rs 2,000 for the first month followed by Rs 500 every month.Those whose transaction is less than Rs 10,000 will have to pay a fine of Rs 500 for the first month followed by Rs 200 for every month’s delay.The percentage of sales tax differs from one product to another.“If it’s a gold item, the sales tax is levied at 1 per cent and if it is garment, it is 4 per cent. There is a list for all items,” said a sales tax official.“Since we have not heard anything from the government (regarding the waiver), we are adding this fine, which comes to around Rs 67,000 per trader on an average,” said an official.Another trader said apart from the Rs 67,000 fine, the businessmen were also levied an interest at the rate of around 10 per cent per month on the dues. “The interest on my tax dues has reached Rs 4 lakh mark,” said the trader.The business community hopes that the Morcha will clinch a waiver from the government.“However, at the back of the mind, we are worried that if the government mounts pressure, it will be difficult to clear all the dues at one go. Even medium traders have outstanding dues amounting to around Rs 2-3 lakh,” said a trader.‘Black day’ callThe Dooars Terai United Movement Committee, a forum of organisations opposed to Gorkhaland, will observe a “black day” tomorrow when the bill on Gorkhaland Territorial Administration will be tabled in the Assembly.Source: The Telegraph

Civic water strike from Tuesday - Conservancy service shutdown to hit Darjeeling residents more

2011-08-28T22:32:00.001-07:00

Darjeeling, Aug. 28: The employees’ union in the Darjeeling municipality has decided to indefinitely close down the water supply from Tuesday and will not allow the conservancy department to work for four days over the payment of property tax at the bank.

The youth wing of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, whose writ runs in the hills, said it would support the strike.

The strike in the conservancy department is expected to have a more immediate effect and will hit the town hard more than the dry taps. It will mean that conservancy workers will not collect garbage from the town for disposal.

The impact of the indefinite strike by the water-works department will, however, begin to show only after three-four days. This is largely because the municipality supplies water every 3-4 days and the residents of Darjeeling have provisions to store water for that period of time.

The employees are demanding that the municipality revert to the old system of paying property tax at the municipality office instead of the bank as decided by the civic body.

The Darjeeling Municipality Employees’ Union had started a pen down strike from August 4, but with no solution in sight the staff have decided to intensify their agitation. “Since our demand has not yet been met, we have decided to close down the water-works department for an indefinite period from Tuesday. The conservancy department would also go in for a four-day strike from August 30,” said Alan Chhetri, president of the union.

The Gorkha Janmukti Yuva Morcha (town committee) has said it would extend support to the agitators.

Tilak Chhetri, the president of the Yuva Morcha (in town), said: “We support the demand of the employees and we will also regularly gherao the office of the sub-divisional officer for fulfilment of the demand.” The sub-divisional officer is the administrator of the municipality.

District magistrate Mohan Gandhi said he was trying his best to end the impasse.

“I have already informed the principal secretary of the municipal affairs department about the situation and I am waiting for a reply. I am also trying to negotiate with the unions. They are not being flexible. The union should give some space for negotiations,” said Gandhi.

Darjeeling SDO Tamal Das had earlier said instead of making it mandatory for people to pay their property tax at the bank — a move opposed by the union — residents would have the option of paying at the municipality itself.

The union, however, rejected the SDO’s proposals and said property taxes should be paid only at the municipality office like it used to be done earlier.

The agitators alleged that the decision to shift the payment of property tax to the bank was taken without consulting the employees.

“Every time a new SDO takes charge of the municipality, they come up with their own rules. Paying taxes at the bank will inconvenience the general public as they have to scuttle between the bank and the office if there is a mismatch in the records,” said Chhetri. “Sixteen employees responsible for collecting the taxes are now without work in the municipality.”

Source: The Telegraph

The Darjeeling GTA bill expected to be tabled within a week

2011-08-28T22:31:00.000-07:00

Darjeeling, Aug. 28: The bill to set up the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration for the hills is ready and is expected to be tabled in the Assembly before the monsoon session ends on September 2.

Government chief whip Sobhondeb Chattopadhaya said the GTA bill might be tabled in the Assembly on September 2. “We have a plan to table the GTA bill on September 2,” he told The Telegraph in Calcutta. The chief whip, who sets the timetable for the MLAs in the House, is the first to know about any bill that is to be placed in the Assembly.

Asked if the bill would be sent to a standing committee for review, Chattopadhaya said: “After the bill is discussed in the House (and passed), it may be sent to the standing committee.” Sources said any bill introduced in the Assembly for the first time has to be referred to the standing committee of the department concerned for a review. The committee will review the bill and will recommend amendments if necessary.

Administrative sources said the GTA bill was ready to be tabled anytime. “From the bureaucratic point of view, the GTA bill is ready and it can be tabled even tomorrow. However, the decision to place it in the Assembly is a political one and they (politicians) have to take a final call as to when it should be placed,” said a source in the administration.

Earlier the speculation doing the round was that since the government was not ready with the draft yet and the bill was not listed in the business advisory of the House, the proposed legislation to set up the new administrative arrangement for the hills might not be tabled this session. In that case, the bill would have to wait for the winter session.

According to a government official, the call has to be taken by the Assembly advisory committee. “The GTA bill is not mentioned on the list of business for this session but I think the committee can make a weekly list and also consider any issue, depending on its importance. That is why the placing of the bill is now a political call as all paperwork is complete,” the source added.

In all likelihood, the bill will be moved by the chief minister Mamata Banerjee who has kept the hill affairs portfolio with her. The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leadership maintained that they had got a feedback which said the bill could be placed as early as tomorrow. “We had told the chief secretary that the bill should first be circulated to all three signatories to the GTA agreement. The chief secretary said circulating the bill before it was placed in the House would be unconstitutional,” said a senior Morcha leader.

The Morcha leader added that the chief secretary had also mentioned that making minor changes to the bill should not be an issue.

“The chief secretary said if there was anything that needed to be added or deleted from the bill, it could be done once it was tabled in the Assembly. They would also be given time to make alterations if needed.” The state and central governments and the Morcha are signatories to the bill.

Many believe that ideally the bill should be tabled on Tuesday as the House could be informed about the government’s decision to place the bill on Monday.

On August 21, Morcha chief Bimal Gurung had urged the state government to start the process of forming the GTA immediately, saying that his party might forget about the new arrangement — a hint that they might revert to statehood cry — if the delay continued. The threat had come at a time the tabling of the GTA bill in the monsoon session of the Assembly looked bleak.

Even though Gurung had not set any deadline for the bill to be placed in the Assembly, many believe that the threat probably spurred the state government to act at the earliest.

A Morcha source had earlier said the government was minutely examining the GTA agreement and many details were yet to be thrashed out before the bill was tabled.

Source: The Telegraph

Darjeeling civic employees on agitation path

2011-08-28T22:28:00.000-07:00

Darjeeling: Conservancy and water supply in this famed hill town is likely to be hit by next week with the Darjeeling Municipality Workers' Union giving a three-four day ultimatum to the administration for meeting their wage-related demand.

"If the administration continues dilly-dallying with our demand we would be forced to close down the conservancy and water works departments in the next few days," union President Allen Chhetri said.

Chhetri alleged there had been no response from the district authorities regarding the demands though the employees were suffering for long.

In another development, the union affiliated office staff of the civic body, went on a pen down strike from August 20 in protest against the shifting of property tax office from the municipality premises to a faraway' bank compound by the administration without consulting the union.

Asserting both issues would be resolved soon, a district official said, the Principal Secretary of Municipal Affairs department had already been informed about the demands and there would be headway.

PTI

Sikkim Democratic Front sacks ex-MP & Anna sympathiser

2011-08-28T22:26:00.000-07:00

Gangtok, Aug. 28: Former Sikkim Democratic Front MP Nakul Das Rai and a youth leader who was on fast in Gangtok to show solidarity with Anna Hazare have been expelled from the party for unspecified reasons.

The chief minister and SDF president, Pawan Chamling, expelled 15 other members also from the party late on Friday. He did not cite any reason for the expulsion.

“The SDF president, Pawan Chamling, has used the provisions in the party constitution to expel these members,” said a statement from the party.

However, none of those ousted has been sent any official communication from the SDF as yet.

While eight of the sacked members are panchayat members, seven others held various posts at local levels.

The 51-year-old Rai is a founder-member of the SDF and was considered to be a heavyweight in the party. He was elected to the Lok Sabha in 2004 on SDF ticket.

“Chamling has expelled me without any probe and has acted merely on flimsy complaints lodged with him by the sycophants in the party. It is not that I have been ousted after I was found guilty of any wrongdoing. I had been contemplating resigning from the SDF as I am engaged in other activities. I have struggled a lot to ensure that Chamling came to power and everyone knows that. I will soon elaborate on all these matters,” said Rai.

The ex-MP also said he had been instrumental in forming the SDF and he would lay bare Chamling’s attitude towards old party soldiers.

The other prominent leader to be shown the door was Yong Tshering Lepcha, who had started a fast on August 20 to synchronise with Anna Hazare’s hunger strike at the Ramlila grounds in New Delhi. Lepcha, 44, had been admitted to the STNM Hospital since August 24 and had been on drips since then.

A vegetable farmer from Nimtar in East Sikkim and the convener of the Youth Front of SDF in the district, Lepcha said: “If today is the happiest day in my life to see that my support for Anna Chacha has not gone in vain, yesterday was the saddest day when I came to know about my expulsion. I do not know whether I was ousted because of my support for Anna Hazare. I had sat on a hunger strike so that there is support to the national campaign against corruption from Sikkim also. I have not indulged in any anti-party activities by going on fast.”

Lepcha was a supervisor in the state power department and left the job in 2006 to devote full time to the SDF.

He broke his fast today.

Source: The Telegraph

Reconsider the name 'Tibetan Government in Exile': Tibetan Youth Cong

2011-08-28T22:23:00.000-07:00

Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), the largest pro-independence Tibetan organization worldwide has resolved to send in a petition to the Tibetan Parliament to reconsider the name "Tibetan Government in Exile" instead of the new nomenclature "Organization of the Tibetan People." The Tibetan Parliament's rechristening of "Tibetan government-in-exile," to the "Organization of the Tibetan People" last month, has not gone down well with a large section of the Tibetan community.

"We are refugees and we have to continue our struggle under the banner of Tibetan government-in-exile. The very nomenclature Tibetan government-in-exile bears both our identity and binds us together for struggle for independence. The new nomenclature Organization of the Tibetan People is rather confusing" feels TYC President Tsewang Rigzin.

TYC with 87 chapters worldwide had a four day long working committee meeting followed by a training programme in Darjeeling in West Bengal. The meeting and workshop which ended on Saturday discussed the course of action to be undertaken by the TYC in the next calendar year and was attended by 122 delegates from 39 chapters worldwide.

The TYC resolved to concentrate on sensitizing the masses through awareness programs on the Tibetan Freedom Movement. "We will highlight the atrocities committed against the Tibetans by the Chinese in Tibet; the autocratic environment that persists in Tibet; Illegal detention of political prisoners including Panchen Lama- the world’s youngest political prisoner; Forceful demographic change by promoting Hun Chinese population explosion in Tibet, large scale unplanned development projects destabilizing the fragile ecosystem of the region. More films and documentaries will be made, to be used for creating awareness" Rigzin.

TYC discussed the recent historic change with HH the Dalai Lama stepping down from the post of political head and handing over charge to the Kalon Tripa (Tibetan Prime Minister.)

The TYC hailed HH the Dalai Lama's decision to empower Tibetan political leaders. "However we still adhere to our stand which is complete independence for Tibet. We do not subscribe to the "Autonomy for Tibet theory" of his HH Dalai Lama. Once Tibet is freed from the forceful Chinese occupation, even HH the Dalai Lama along with all the Tibetan refugees can return back to Tibet" stated Rigzin.

Adding to this Chief-guest of the inaugural function, His Eminence Shingza Rinpoche stated "People in Tibet often advice fleeing Tibetans: ‘When you go into exile, you must fight for Rangzen (freedom) because if it is autonomy you are fighting for then you might as well come back. We in Tibet do all that we can inside here; your responsibility being outside is to keep the fight alive,'"

Tracing the importance of Darjeeling as the location for the 42nd Working Committee meeting of the TYC, Tenzin Tsundue, a renowned Tibetan Activist from Dharamsala chapter stated "His Holiness the 13th Dalai Lama stayed for two years in exile between 1910 to 1912 in Darjeeling. He later returned to Tibet and subsequently declared the Independence of Tibet in 1913. This has a great symbolic significance. We are all very happy to be here meeting many Tibetans who have been living here even before the Chinese invasion of Tibet and all this exile phenomena happened. Darjeeling had always been the capital of Tibetans living in India for centuries. Tibetans have always shared a deep bonding with the people of Darjeeling and nearby mountain regions."

Hailing the 'preservation of the historical legacy of the Tibetan government' as extremely important for safeguarding the cause of Tibetan independence, TYC pledged to preserve a copy of the Tibetan Charter (prior to last month's amendments) along with the earlier national emblem, national anthem, and the flag of Tibet.

Source: Hindustan Times

Minorities march on hill street - Fear of being overshadowed gone, time to voice protests

2011-08-25T21:24:00.000-07:00

Darjeeling, Aug. 25: Social and religious issues so long overshadowed by the larger cause of statehood has starting resurfacing in the hills, now that a political settlement has been reached on Darjeeling with the signing of the agreement to set up the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration.

Hundreds of Buddhists today took to the streets in Darjeeling to revive some of their longstanding demands, one of them being a paid holiday on the birthday of Lord Buddha. The Lepchas, an indigenous community, also brought out a rally to demand a development council.

The Buddhists made the demands under the banner of the All Buddhist Minority Welfare Association, which consists of various Gorkha communities like the Tamangs, Gurungs and non-Nepali tribes like the Sherpas, Bhutias and Yolmos.

“We had been wanting a holiday on (Buddha Purnima) since 1980 but the Left Front government had not paid heed to our demands. We are hopeful that the present government will fulfil our demand. Even Gorkha Janmukti Morcha president Bimal Gurung had supported our demand,” said M.S. Bomzon, the president of the association.

Buddha Purnima is currently a sectional holiday, which means that government employees who are Buddhists can take a day-off. “But there are a large number of workers in the tea gardens and the cinchona plantations (of Buddhist faith) and they have to work during Buddha Purnima,” said Bomzon.

If the state government declares a gazette holiday on Buddha Purnima, it will be extended to all sectors, including tea.

The Buddhists are also aggrieved that they have no representative in the West Bengal Minority Commission. “We would want at least one Buddhist, preferably from north Bengal, to be made a member of the commission so that our voices can be heard. Despite being minorities we have no say in the state,” said Bomzon.

Religious minorities, which includes Buddhists, Christians, Muslims and Jains, make up about 40 per cent of the hill population. “The state government has come up with a policy to declare a particular district Minority Concentrated District (MCD) if the minorities form 25-30 per cent of the population. But the same status has not been extended to Darjeeling district despite its higher concentration of minorities,” said Bomzon.

The association claimed that 12 districts in Bengal have been accorded this status. “The government has accorded this status where the concentration of Muslim population is high. They have conveniently forgotten us,” said Bomzon. “An MCD status would entail benefits for construction of houses and stipends for education to minority members, among others.”

North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur, Malda, Murshidabad and Cooch Behar are among the 12 MCDs in north Bengal.

A district is eligible for MCD status if any minority group has a population of 20 per cent and above. The minority population of the district then enjoys the benefits of uplift programmes funded by the Centre. The purpose is to bring these districts, in terms of development and growth, at level with the national average.

But minorities living in other districts do not enjoy these benefits since non-MCD districts are considered more prosperous.

Darjeeling district magistrate Mohan Gandhi said in an MCD, a an office of the minority development officer will be set up to implement various schemes that may be announced by the state government for MCDs.

Apart from Buddhists, the Lepchas are agitating for a development council to look after the community’s interests.

The Lepchas, known to be one of the original inhabitants of the hills, brought out a rally in town today. In Calcutta, 61 of their agitating supporters were arrested in Calcutta for defying Section 144 and marching towards Writers Buildings.

The Lepchas have been agitating in Calcutta since August 9. Another 60 members of the community were rounded up on August 22 when they were demonstrating near the Writers’ Buildings. They were all released later.

Bhupendra Lepcha, convener of the Lepcha Right Movement, which is spearheading the agitation, said: “We have also lined up a series of agitation.”

The agitation starts from tomorrow with a pen-and-chalk down strike by employees and teachers of the community across the state from 11am to 1pm.

“We will also start a mass indefinite hunger strike from September 19 in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Mirik, Siliguri, Calcutta and Delhi,” said Bhupendra.

The community has also called a 12-hour bandh on September 20 followed by blockade of national highways and railway tracks, civil disobedience movement and indefinite strike after the Pujas.

The Telegraph

CPRM’s rally to Siliguri stopped

2011-08-25T21:23:00.000-07:00

Siliguri, Aug. 25: The rally taken out by CPRM workers from Darjeeling to Siliguri in demand of Gorkhaland was stopped today by police at Panchnoi, 4km from the destination.

The procession organised to protest the agreement to from Gorkhaland Territorial Administration had started from Sukna this morning. Around 400 CPRM supporters were stopped at a police barricade after covering 4km on NH55.

“We plans to walk on the streets of Siliguri to raise our demand for the separate state and point out that the GTA had miserably failed to meet our aspirations,” said Govind Chhetri, the organisational head of the CPRM.

“We had halted at Sukna yesterday and started for Siliguri today. The police, however, raised a barricade on NH55 and stopped us at Panchnoi. They said our entry to Siliguri might lead to deterioration of law and order and if we tried to move further, all of us would be arrested.”

The marchers led by party general secretary Taramoni Rai and leaders like Arun Ghatany and Kishore Pradhan held placards and shouted slogans in favour of Gorkhaland and against the GTA accord. The rally had started from Darjeeling on Tuesday.

Around 70 policemen, led by additional superintendent of police of Siliguri Amit P. Javalgi and deputy superintendent of police Pradip Pal, were posted at Panchnoi to stop the march. A meeting was organised at the very spot and the speakers slammed the government and the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha without naming the party.

“A hill party (Morcha) secured favourable mandate from the people in the Assembly polls by promising Gorkhaland. But later, they compromised and formed the GTA. We condemn such political moves, which have left the hill people disappointed,” said Chhetri.

In Siliguri, 12 supporters of the Bangla O Bangla Bhasha Banchao Committee, which had threatened to stop the CPRM rally from approaching town, were arrested this morning. Around 10.45am, Mukunda Majumdar, the president of the Bhasha Banchao Committee, reached Darjeeling More with his supporters and started a demonstration. Police soon reached the spot and whisked the protesters away.

The Telegraph

Tibetan Youth Meeting Reconnects to Historic Independent Tibet

2011-08-25T21:22:00.000-07:00

Darjeeling : - Approximately 115 members of the largest Tibetan NGO, Tibetan Youth Congress met in Darjeeling, West Bengal on 22 August 2011 to convene a four-day Working Committee Meeting (WCM) which will be followed by a one-day training programme. Attending delegates represent 39 regional Tibetan Youth Congress Chapters.

The opening ceremony was graced by the presence of Shingza Rinpoche Lobsang Tenzin. And other special guests include; Tsewang Tashi, Settlement Officer, Gonpo, former member of Tibetan Parliament, Tashi Dhondup Principal of CST Darjeeling and Dorjee Tseten Head of Tibetan Handicraft Centre.

The Opening Ceremony started with the recital of Tibetan National Anthem and a one-minute observance of silence to mourn the Tibetan martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the sake of Tibet. This was followed by the recital of TYC song by the band of Central School for Tibetan, Darjeeling. TYC President, Mr Tsewang Rigzin highlighted the significance of holding this meeting in Darjeeling, because historically His Holiness the 13th Dalai Lama had spent a few years in the 1910 when he came into exile.

He brought attention to the recent acts of self-immolation by Phuntsok and Tsewang Norbu in Tibet who despite the fact that they were born post occupation and had never experienced a free Tibet, yet gave up their lives for their country at such a tender age. He therefore stressed that we must continue this fight on our own and not depend on big nations such as the US and Europe to bring about change. These countries and more are the supporters who will support the cause but ultimately it is the fight of the Tibetans. "Independent is not a question of whether we will get it or not but whether we are ready to take it or not" he added.

He further emphasized that in the 42 years since its inception, TYC has assumed major roles and taken firm stances wherever and whenever necessary. This year was significant because of the historic change in the exile Tibetan world when His Holiness the Dalai Lama announced his decision to devolve his political authority. During this time, TYC while supporting the decision made it clear that we will work harder for the cause and more than ever before will remain resolute in our commitment to serving our country. Therefore, in view of this pledge and in order to accomplish this commitment, the unity between the Centrex and regional chapters is highly important.

The speech by the President was followed by Shingza Rinpoche who said he will cherish this opportunity to be at this important meeting of TYC. He expressed delight at the fact that more than 30 chapters have congregated at this 42nd WCM. This exemplifies the strength of TYC, which China gravely fears. For China, TYC is the industry from where all the prominent members in the Tibetan community have been produced. This is the reason why TYC is a thorn in the eyes of China.

Tibetan people in Tibet place so much aspiration on TYC because it has retained the importance and legacy of Independent. People in Tibet often advice fleeing Tibetans, "When you go into exile, you must fight for independent, because if it is autonomy you will fight then you might as well come back. We in Tibet do all that we can inside here; your responsibility being outside is to keep the fight alive".

Being a monk, my association has to be with a religious institution, so I have no real affiliation to any political organization however, if I join any organization, it will be TYC. TYC should strengthen the might and vigor of Rangzen advocacy. TYC should keep one eye, one leg and one arm in Tibet at all times.

Finally, the Vice President Dhondup Lhadar while proposing the vote of thanks applauded the attending students of CST Darjeeling their Tibetan song performance and noted the importance of retaining the Tibetan language and identity. The Vice President reminded the gathering that HH the 13th Dalai Lama worked for the restoration of Tibetan Independence while in exile in Darjeeling and was able to return to Tibet by the end of 1912. Subsequently, upon his return he made the historic declaration of Independence of Tibet. Likewise in this gathering we must strategise to bring our leader HH the 14th Dalai Lama back to Tibet.

In the afternoon session, the Centrex presented it Annual Report and Accounts and received queries from its regional chapters. While the Centrex members examined Regional Chapter's reports and accounts.

Source: The Tibetan Post

Unsung heroes of the Hills

2011-08-25T21:21:00.000-07:00

SILIGURI, 25 AUG: Leo Tolstoy once said that history is like a deaf man which goes on answering questions which nobody has asked. But history cannot be wished away. No matter whether it is “bunk” or not a la former US President Henry Ford, its importance can hardly be undermined. Yet, history is embarrassing, for it often points out unpalatable truths about us.

Today is the martyrdom day of Captain Durga Malla. He was one of the Prisoners of War, held captive and brought to “justice” by the colonial British government in India when the Second World War was continuing. Originally hailing from Kalimpong, he was recruited in the Indian National Army along with several other Indian Nepali soldiers.

He fought gallantly under the leadership of Netaji. Captain Malla was hanged in August 1944. Apart from Captain Malla, Dal Bahadur Thapa was another Indian Nepali soldier who was hanged for his INA “crime” in March 1945, a few months before the historic INA trial began in Delhi.
A statue of the martyr was unveiled at Hamiltongunj in the Dooars last year. His martyrdom anniversary is observed as Balidan Divas. But what is intriguing is that when the state government-GJMM bonhomie seems to have scaled astounding heights post-GTA agreement and the redoubtable GJMM president is being eulogised as the “Royal Bengal Tiger”, the Darjeeling district Trinamul Congress and Congress leadership do not seem to be even vaguely acquainted with the Durga Malla legacy. When reminded of the anniversary of the Hill martyr, the north Bengal development minister, Mr Goutam Deb, and the Siliguri mayor, Miss Gangotri Datta, pleaded ignorance. The same is the case with the Forward Bloc, which thrives on the Netaji legacy.
A senior Darjeeling district FB leader, Mr Smritish Bhattacharya, admitted that his party had never observed Durga Malla's martyrdom anniversary.

Ignorance is, perhaps, bliss as the proverb goes. Otherwise, we would remain clogged with “trash”. But the problem is that mere developmental politicking and cheap flattery cannot achieve things as far as emotional integration involving long estranged communities is concerned.

Assimilation through cultural empathy and interaction is more enduring, as Tagore and other Indian stalwarts have always stressed. The eminent historian associated with the North Bengal University, Dr Ananda Gopal Ghosh, did not sound surprised when told about the facts. “It is natural that the politicians do not know history. But what is pathetic is that most of them lack curiosity about the history of the region they claim to represent,” he said.

The Statesman

Home Bhaichung future turf: Friends - Sikkim looks forward to player’s club

2011-08-25T21:19:00.001-07:00

Gangtok, Aug. 25: Bhaichung Bhutia’s friends hope his next innings will be played in the home state to take United Sikkim to new heights now that he has hanged up his boots for international football.

United Sikkim Football Club is co-owned by Bhaichung, who announced his retirement from international matches in New Delhi yesterday.

Soccer aficionados feel Bhaichung has left a mark on and off the field and he will continue to be an inspiration for budding players.

“It was a right decision (to retire from international football). But I would have loved to see Bhaichung playing the friendly match against Pakistan in London and announce his retirement there. Injuries did not permit him to do so. He has contributed a lot to Indian football and I am proud of him. I am sure that all the people of Sikkim are proud of Bhaichung,” said Sikkim sports secretary Karma P. Bhutia.

Karma is Bhaichung’s mentor and had introduced him to professional club football in Calcutta when he was a teenager.

“Bhaichung’s next innings is to take United Sikkim Football Club to new heights. He can continue to play for his club and contribute to Indian football,” said Karma.

Sherap Lepcha, the childhood friend of the footballer, believes it would take a long time for someone to fit in Bhaichung’s shoes.

“We are sad. The Indian team will get a new captain but it will be very difficult for anyone to fit in his shoes. He had not only soccer skills but also glamour and star appeal that attracts youngsters to the sport. Bhaichung had that off-the-field charisma and to fill this gap, it will take a long time,” said Sherap, who had grown up playing football with Bhaichung. Both had played for East Bengal in 2001.

Sherap said United Sikkim was Bhaichung’s biggest contribution to football in Sikkim.

“In future, big clubs in the country will be coming to Gangtok to play when United Sikkim qualifies in the I-League. This will bring crowds back to the stadium and youngsters will be encouraged to play football. On personal note, Bhaichung has taken a huge risk by investing his hard-earned money in the club. This is his way of contributing to Indian football after retirement,” said Lepcha.

United Sikkim chief coach H. Stanly Rozario said the 34-year-old former Indian captain was an inspirational leader. “Bhaichung’s presence in the field is a motivation for the Indian players. He is an inspirational leader. India has lost a great captain for the national squad. We will miss Bhaichung in Indian football team,” he said.

On the brighter side, Rozario said Bhaichung would definitely make a mark as an administrator and player of United Sikkim. “He has now a new role in the Indian football, particularly at club levels. Bhaichung will spend more time with United Sikkim and his mission will be to help the club become a strong and professional team,” said Rozario.

Arjun Rai, who was asked by Bhaichung to join United Sikkim as a senior manager, endorsed the retirement call. Bhaichung calls Arjun Rai ‘daju’ (elder brother).

“Now, Bhaichung will be free for his club which he wants to make one of the best sides in Asia. He can also give time to his football schools in New Delhi. In future, he can also actively contribute for the development of Indian football and coach the national squad like Maradona and other great players,” said Rai.

United Sikkim captain Nim Tshering Lepcha is sad that his idol has retired from international football. Nim Tshering is a product of “search for more Bhaichungs” scheme of the Sikkim government launched in 1999.

“I feel sad to hear about my idol’s retirement from international football though it is a right decision taken at the zenith of his career. I feel that it is huge loss to Indian football as he is the main idol for upcoming footballers,” said Tshering.

The Telegraph

House burnt in GJM-GNLF clash

2011-08-24T22:06:00.000-07:00

DARJEELING: Trouble is brewing in the Hills once again. On Tuesday, Chimney, a small hamlet in Kurseong, turned violent with Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) and Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) supporters clashing over a cultural programme.

According to the police, GNLF supporters on Monday were celebrating the signing of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) accord at Majuwa in Chimney, about 20 km from Kurseong town. During the celebration, some GJM supporters allegedly tried to disrupt the celebration, resulting in a minor scuffle.

On Tuesday morning, things took an ugly turn with supporters from both sides clashing once again. The house of Sangay Rumba, a GNLF supporter, was set on fire and his vehicle torched, allegedly by GJM cadres. "Several GJM supporters attacked our house around 11.30 am. My husband was dragged outside and beaten up. They also ransacked our belongings," alleged Bangmu Rumba, Sangay's wife.

She managed to escape with her daughter through a window. Fire tenders arrived on time to douse the fire and the house was only partially damaged. Sangay sustained minor injuries.

GJM leaders, however, denied the allegations and instead blamed GNLF for the violence. "Our supporters did not have a hand in the violence. In fact, it was GNLF men who attacked the house of our supporter Padam Rumba on Monday night," alleged Niru Sherpa, a GJM leader of Chimney.

Both parties blamed each other for the violence and also filed FIRs at Kurseong police station. Police said no arrests have been made so far. "We are investigating what happened in Chimney though the situation is under control now. There were minor clashes between the GNLF and GJM over a celebration," said Nima Sherpa, the Kurseong SDPO. Adequate police forces have been deployed in the area to avert any untoward incidents.

On August 22, 1988, Subash Ghisingh, the GNLF chief, signed an agreement with the state and central governments to form the DGHC, after nearly 28 months of bloody agitation. More then 1,200 people were killed in the 1986 agitation that was ultimately dropped after signing of the accord.

Source: Times of India

Rally vents ire on bill to curb rights

2011-08-24T22:04:00.000-07:00

Gangtok, Aug. 24: A massive rally was taken out in Gangtok today to demand an apology from the Sikkim chief minister when he withdraws the Public Order Bill in the Assembly on Friday.

The procession was unprecedented in terms of the number of participants during the 18 years of Pawan Chamling rule. More than 4,000 people carried the Tricolours and placards condemning the bill and shouted slogans in support of Anna Hazare’s Jan Lokpal bill.

The Sikkim Prevention and Control of Public Order Bill, tabled in the Assembly on August 11, had triggered a political furore in the state with Opposition parties up in arms against the alleged suppression of fundamental rights of the citizens.

The outrage prompted the Sikkim Democratic Front government to announce on August 16 that the legislation, dubbed as “black bill” by the Opposition, would be withdrawn on August 26.

However, the recently floated Nagarik Adikhar Suraksha Sangathan Sikkim, which calls itself an apolitical forum, refused to take the government’s word at face value and organised the rally.

“The government must formally withdraw the bill according to the Assembly procedure and Chamling must apologise to the people for trying to curb their fundamental rights. Everyone had supported Chamling in 1993 when he first started his movement to bring democracy in Sikkim but after 18 years in government, he himself has proposed a bill aimed to cut the tongues of the people,” said NASSS chief co-ordinator M.N. Dahal.

The bill seeks to ban processions, hunger strikes, squatting, sloganeering and waving black flags or other forms of agitation that might “promote enmity or hatred between sections of the society” on the “grounds of religion, race or caste”.

Dahal also talked about alleged attempts by the SDF to scuttle the rally. “The SDF cadres have been running around for the past couple of days, threatening people of dire consequences if they join the rally… attempts were also made to disrupt our rally today and more than 300 vehicles carrying people for the procession were blocked on different routes.”

The NASSS said the rally had also been taken out to extend strong support to the anti-corruption campaign of Anna Hazare.

The rally, which started around 11.30am from Deorali, moved up to Hospital Dara along the footpath of NH31A and concluded at the parking lot near Paljor Stadium after covering a distance of 4km. The NASSS functionaries also burned a copy of the bill.

SDF rebel’s support

The SDF rebel legislator, Prem Singh Tamang, said the Sikkimese people had given a “strong response” to the call for the rally against the bill.

“The people of Sikkim are conscious about their rights and have given a strong response to the NASSS call against the bill. I congratulate and thank them. Those who participated in the rally had withstood torture and intimidation,” he told reporters.

source: The Telegraph

Seven green hamlets ready to take guests Villagers in kalimpong and dooars to open homes for tourists

2011-08-23T21:23:00.000-07:00

Seven forest villages are being readied for tourists wanting to visit the hills and the Dooars to unwind during the Pujas close to the wild green world.

Forest dwellers living in small hamlets within reserve forest areas in Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling districts have joined hands to initiate community-based tourism to improve their socio-economic condition.

Buoyed by a proposal from the National Forum for Forest People and Forest Workers, many of them have readied infrastructure like accommodation in at least seven locations in Kalimpong and the Dooars.

“There are 220 forest villages in north Bengal. Of these, we have identified 20 villages and have readied seven locations where tourists can visit right now,” said Saumitra Ghosh, a senior representative of the National Forum, today.

Around six lakh people reside in the 200 or so forest hamlets.

“Considering the idyllic locations of the forest villages, we had selected them for promotion for sites of community-based tourism. Each village will have a committee which will monitor all activities associated with tourism.”

People can come and stay in the homes of the forest dwellers, enjoy the local cuisine and witness their lifestyle and culture at close quarters. Added to these, excursions to forests, mountains and historical ruins like Buxa Fort would be made arranged for them, he added.

In the hills, the selected hamlets include Mungpoo, made famous by Rabindranath Tagore — the bard visited the place four times between 1935 and 1940 — and the orange and the cinchona plantations.

Located near it is Sitong, another hamlet famous for oranges. Chatakpur, close to Kurseong, is also an idyllic location.

“In the Dooars, we have selected villages like Buxa Sadare, Lepchakha, which is also in the Buxa hills and Kathambari and Samsing, both located near Lataguri. People can stay in local homes while enjoying nature and wildlife at Gorumara National Park and the Chapramari wildlife sanctuary nearby. Buxa has attractions like the tiger reserve, Buxa Fort and Rupam Valley. Lepchakha is a Drukpa village where tourists can enjoy traditional sports like archery,” a National Forum representative said. Drukpa is a tribe with origins in Bhutan.

Committees have been formed with local villagers as members. They will apprise the others of the hospitality they are expected to extend to the visitors.

“Since the villages are ready, we have decided to take the help of a local tourist service provider to campaign for our locations and help bring in visitors, make arrangements for transport and book accommodations,” Ghosh said.

He said the charges had not been fixed yet.

“But a portion of the earnings would be handed over to the agency that will do the campaign as service charge.”

Debashis Chakraborty, who runs Wind Oz Tours and Travels in Siliguri — the enterprise that will act as intermediary between tourists and forest villagers — said the firm had already started working at each location and initiated a planned campaign.

“We are eyeing the ensuing season and hope to bring in tourists to these villages. Community-based tourism is gaining popularity by the day and many tourists, while choosing remote and quiet places to rejuvenate themselves during vacations, prefer homestays to get a taste of nature,” he said.

Forest dwellers like Shyamal Rava of the Dooars and Govind Roka of Kurseong said village tourism would open a new opportunity for them. “There are several educated youths in villages who have not got much employment opportunity,” Roka said.

“This initiative would help them get involved in an economic activity from their homes itself. Absence of jobs and opportunities have prompted many youths, who have worked and conserved the forests and wildlife over generations, to move out of their villages. We feel that through introduction of tourism, economic problems of forest villagers would be mitigated to a considerable extent.”

The Telegraph

Sikkim soccer boys back from Munich with new tips

2011-08-23T21:21:00.000-07:00

Gangtok, Aug. 23: Two budding football players from Sikkim have returned home after a training session in Germany, where they honed their soccer skills under the tutelage of Bayern Munich.

Ram Chettri and Suman Rai, both aged 14, could also witness a match between AC Milan and Bayern Munich during their trip. The two were among the six boys from India who were given training by the European football powerhouse.

All the six boys had flown to Munich on July 19 and returned to India on August 7. Ram and Suman arrived home last week after spending some days with Northeast football giant Lajong FC in Shillong. They are trainees at Boys’ Club Gangtok Football Academy.

“We had a training camp for 10 days and then spent the remaining days touring Munich. Although the training was of a short duration of two hours daily, it was hard. We learnt a lot of new techniques,” said Ram.

A midfielder, Ram learnt how to “distribute the ball to all parts of the pitch, set pieces and move up and down in support of forwards and defence”.

“The camp also taught us the way one should hold the ball, how to use the body to shield the ball and ‘off the ball’ movement. We gained new knowledge on tackling. Earlier, we used to panic but now we are confident that we can hold the ball and not allow rival players to snatch our ball,” said Ram.

Suman, who wants to become a striker, said: “I mastered dribbling skills at the camp. I know now how to cross the ball to other players in the attack zone and move down the pitch to help the defence in case of counterattack.”

The duo were given the training by the Bayern Munich coaches under the close observation of the club’s chief talent Hermann Hummels.

The other four budding talents who made it to the Munich camp were from Calcutta and Shillong. The six had been chosen from among 600 boys at a selection camp held in Calcutta last year.

The highlight of the German trip was the opportunity the Indian boys got to watch the semi-finals and the final of Audi Cup in Munich.

“We watched the semi-final between AC Milan and Bayern Munich and were ball boys for the second semi-final between Barcelona FC and Internacional. We also watched the final, which was won by Barcelona against Bayern Munich 2-0 on July 27,” said Ram.

Suman was happy that he could see his favourite players in action during the tournament. “We saw all our favourite players like David Villa, Andres Iniesta, Abidal and Barcelona captain Carles Puyol. Unfortunately, Lionel Messi did not appear for Barcelona. We saw Bayern Munich players like Arjen Robben, Thomas Mueller and Klose. We even saw Robino playing for AC Milan. It was unbelievable and we never thought that we could see players in action,” said Suman.

Both the boys have been undergoing training at Tathangchen ground here ever since the Boys Club was started by former footballers of Sikkim in 2008. They study in Class VIII in different schools in Gangtok.

The Telegraph

Bimal Gurung looks for deeds, not words

2011-08-22T21:59:00.000-07:00

Darjeeling, Aug. 22: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha president Bimal Gurung advised the Bengal ministers visiting the Darjeeling hills to start fulfilling their promises, instead of indulging only in lip service.

Gurung made the comment at a programme attended by the state youth affairs minister, Ujjawal Biswas.

“We welcome the ministers visiting the hills. It is something good. But we would also like to request them to translate their promises into reality,” the Morcha chief said at the Darjeeling Gymkhana Club.

The programme was organised by the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Sports Association.

“One cannot score a goal if the team does not hit the field to play. Let us start playing now. A man has to work so that he is respected by everyone when his coffin is being taken away,” the Morcha chief said to a thunderous applause from a young crowd assembled at the club.

While the only minister to make a beeline for the hills during the term of the previous Left Front government was Asok Bhattacharya, seven members of the Mamata Banerjee cabinet have already visited the region.

In fact, four ministers were seen on the dais at an event organised by the forest department at Sukhiapokhri, about 20km from Darjeeling, on June 20. Apart from forest minister Hiten Barman, Gautam Deb (north Bengal development), Bratya Basu (higher education) and Sushil Tirkey (consumer affairs) also attended the programme.

Even Siliguri MLA Rudranath Bhattacharya, who is also the chairperson of the Siliguri-Jalpaiguri Development Authority, has been spotted in the hills a number of times.

While food and supplies minister Jyoti Priya Mallick visited Darjeeling on June 30, PHE minister Subrata Mukherjee was here last evening to check the progress in the Balasun drinking water project.

It is not entirely true that the ministers have been indulging in only lip service. As promised by Mallick, the food and supplies department issued rations cards to the residents of the closed Kanchan View Tea Garden within a fortnight of his visit.

Gurung’s statement underlines the fact that he wants to see development work take place in the hills at a fast pace.

Biswas today distributed footballs to 19 clubs in and around Darjeeling and talked about the need to think positively. “We must not think that nothing can be done. We have to believe that it is possible to achieve whatever we desire.”

Earlier in the day, Biswas also visited the house of Nawang Gombu, the first man to climb Mt Everest twice — in 1963 and 1965. Gombu died on April 24 this year.

After interacting with Gombu’s family members, Biswas promised to institute a youth award in Gombu’s name. “We will institute a youth award in the name of Nawang Gombu when we hold a youth festival. The Everester’s memorial will also be set up and we are also trying to establish a museum in Calcutta to showcase all memorabilia that the family had with them.”

Biswas later inspected a site at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute to erect a statue of Gombu.

The Telegraph

Late mountaineer Nawang Gombu's proposed memorial runs into red-tapism

2011-08-22T21:58:00.000-07:00

West Bengal youth welfare minister Ujjal Biswas's assurance to the bereaved family of legendary mountaineer late Nawang Gombu, to build a memorial in his honour at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) campus in Darjeeling, ran into red-tapism with the HMI principal reminding the minister
that the memorial could only be built after a go ahead from the Executive Committee.

The minister along with West Bengal Mountaineering and Adventure Sports Foundation (WBMASF) advisor Basanta Singha Roy had arrived at the Gombu residence in Darjeeling to pay condolence to the bereaved family. Gombu after a brief illness passed away at his residence on April 24, 2011.

Gombu's family members, including wife Sita Gombu and daughter Rita Gombu Marwa, had made an appeal to chief minister Mamata Banerjee to build a memorial in honour of the legendary mountaineer in the HMI campus.

Biswas on hearing the proposal had given an immediate consent, instructing the district officials present to conduct the initial survey. He even accompanied Gombu's family members to the spot earmarked by the family for the memorial (in the form of a Stupa.) A similar monument has been erected at the spot where late Tenzing Norgay had been cremated in the HMI premises.

Enroute to the spot, the minister was invited by the HMI principal to his Office. When Biswas conveyed the desire to erect a memorial, Col Neeraj Rana, principal HMI, stated "The memorial can be built only after a go ahead from the Executive Committee (EC)"

Countering this, Biswas stated, "The chief minister will talk to the minister of defence and I am sure that this matter can be resolved."

The HMI is an autonomous body patronised both by the Indian government and government of West Bengal. It is run by an Executive Council (EC) headed by the defence minister as its president and chief minister of West Bengal as the vice president; 2 secretaries (the secretary of the ministry of defence and secretary of the youth welfare ministry, West Bengal) and 22 members.

Interestingly, the EC had last met in May 2005 in Kolkata. "Prior to this also principals have been building things without the consent of the EC. On 17 August 2010, the present principal Col. Neeraj Rana built a temple in the campus whereas the last EC had taken place in May 2005 which I had attended." alleged Rita Gombu, daughter of late Nawang Gombu, who is also the first lady vice president of Indian Mountaineering Federation (IMF), the apex body for mountaineering institutes of India.

"There should be regular monitoring of the HMI by the West Bengal government as the honourable chief minister of West Bengal is the vice president of the Institute," the youth affair's minister wrote in the inspection register of the HMI.

Biswas also announced that the government of West Bengal will constitute an adventure sports award in the name of Nawang Gombu. "We will announce this award formally on the Youth Affairs Day. We will also exhibit Gombu's artifacts in Kolkata," stated Dey.

"Nawang Gombu was a legendary mountaineer. The void that has been created with his demise can never be fulfilled. Gombu has been a father figure to thousands of mountaineers of India," said Singha Roy.

The highest decorated mountaineer ever, Gombu was the first man to summit Mount Everest twice. He had received the Tiger of the Snows Medal (1953), Queen Elizabeth 11 Coronation Medal (1953), Howard Medal of National Geographic Society -USA (1963), Padmashree(1964), Padmabhushan (1965) IMF Gold Medal (1966), Arjuna Award (1967), Olympic Gold Medal- Rome (1967), Tenzing Norgay Award (1986), 49thIndependence Day Award (1996) and recently the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award on the 29th August 2006.

Gombu had served the HMI for more than 40 years before retiring in the capacity of field director in 1999. Gombu was part of the first group of Sherpa mountaineers who along with Tenzing Norgay completed a guide course in Switzerland in 1954. He became the backbone of the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, an idea pushed by the late Indian prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru and the then West Bengal chief minister BC Roy. After Tenzing Norgay retired from the post of field director in 1976, Gombu had succeeded him.

Hindustan Times

All India Gorkha League (AIGL) in sync with Anna

2011-08-21T21:11:00.000-07:00

KURSEONG, 21 AUG: Extending solidarity to Anna Hazare’s anti-graft movement, All India Gorkha League (AIGL) leaders today said the party was always against corruption.

They said that their leader Madan Tamang was killed when he raised his voice against corruption.

The AIGL (Kurseong branch) general secretary, Mr Prem Bomjon, said: “The question of our not supporting Mr Hazare doesn’t arise. Our party has always been active against corruption and therefore, it goes beyond saying that we are supporting Mr Hazare’s movement and his demand for an effective Jan Lokpal Bill.”

Regarding Mr Roshan Giri’s announcement of the GJMM’s support for Anna, Mr Bomjon said: “The announcement made by Mr Giri in favour of Anna and his anti-corruption movement is appreciable but we have our doubts over it. Our party chief Madan Tamang was killed on 21 May, 2010 when he was in the process of disclosing huge corruptions within the DGHC that could have unsettled many.”

He added that in 2008, when the then DGHC caretaker, Mr Subash Ghisingh, was forced to leave the Hills by the GJMM, there was Rs 130 crore in the DGHC coffer. The DGHC also received Rs 400 crore per year. Later the Hills had also received Rs 1,000 crore as Aila funds. It is apparent to everyone here that the funds have not been utilised properly. Hence the authority concerned, including the three Hills MLAs, should inquire into the misuse of the funds.”

Mr Bomjon said not only the DGHC but the municipality authorities in the Hills are also steeped in corruption. He said that some people of the BPL category sold all their belongings and deposited Rs 25,000 with the municipality authority to obtain their new houses under the government scheme but so far, no one has been given any house and the municipality has also not returned their money.

Mr Bomjon said: “Earlier, under the banner of PDF, the AIGL had staged different programmes, including “Operation Bhandaphor” against corruption and we will do the same in future.”

The Statesman

Bimal Gurung threatens to revive Gorkhaland movement if state fails to release funds

2011-08-21T21:08:00.001-07:00

DARJEELING, 21 AUG: The soft-approach of the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM) towards the Mamata Banerjee-led government seems to be fast fading with the GJMM president, Mr Bimal Gurung, declaring that it may take up the demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland again if development funds for the Hills are not released soon.

While attending the 19th Nepali language recognition day and the Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhawana Diwas function in Darjeeling yesterday, Mr Gurung said: "When the GTA agreement was signed on 18 July, both the Centre and the state government leaders had asked us to work towards the development of the Hills. But, it is becoming difficult to carry out development as the state government has not released the funds. We have no option left, other then renewing our statehood demand.”
Until the new council is implemented in the Hills all the developmental works are being looked after by the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC). At present the old council is being run by the DGHC administrator, Mr Anil Verma, Darjeeling district magistrate Mr Mohan Gandhi and three MLAs from the Hills.
“We want to beautify the Hills and the Dooars-Terai regions. Bringing in development here requires huge effort, time and financial support. We have already panned for a slew of developmental projects for the Hills but those have not gone on the floor yet due to the fund crunch,” said Mr Gurung.

He said the state government was not providing adequate funds for the DGHC to carry out its work. “The implementation of GTA will take some time and in the face of acute funds crunch, the DGHC, which is empowered to carry out development works, cannot function properly,” said Mr Gurung. The state government provides Rs 22 crore annually to the DGHC for development.
The chief minister, Miss Mamata Banerjee, had inducted the three Hills MLAs into the Board of Administrators of DGHC. It can be mentioned here that the MLAs had rejected the action plan budget for 2011-2012 prepared by the chairman of DGHC in the first meeting between the MLAs and the DGHC board on 3 June.

In the first ever backlash to the present state government, the Morcha president said the reluctant attitude of the government was also hampering its party's image. “The GTA is a test for us. We have to carry our task efficiently to please everyone particularly the Opposition parties,” said Mr Gurung. To promote tourism in the Hills, he said that Rs 5 crore would be needed to renovate the Mirik Lake in Mirik.

The Statesman

GJM warns of fresh protest

2011-08-21T20:46:00.001-07:00

DARJEELING: The bonhomie is souring. Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) is upset with the state government's neglect of the Hills, just over a month after the 'historic' tripartite agreement that was supposed to end the agitation in Darjeeling.

Party chief Bimal Gurung warned on Sunday that the Morcha would relaunch the Gorkhaland agitation. The Morcha is losing patience with the state government for the delay in sanctioning funds for development work, said Gurung.

"The CM tells us 'Darjeeling ke liye jaldi-jaldi kam kijiye', but how can we work without funds?" Gurung asked.

"When we signed the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) agreement last month, home minister P Chidambaram asked us to work towards developing the Hills.

But the state government is not helping us with funds. We will be left with no option but to renew our agitation for Gorkhaland," he said at a memorial programme for former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

The Times of India

GJM suggests Darjeeling split

2011-08-21T20:45:00.000-07:00

KOLKATA: At the all-party meeting held in Kolkata on Wednesday to discuss the reorganization of districts of West Bengal, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) suggested the bifurcation of Darjeeling.

The GJM also recorded its objection against the proposal of the state government to bifurcate Jalpaiguri district till the formation of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), with the apparent aim to bring the areas in Dooars the GJM wants to be included in GTA under the administrative jurisdiction of a new district.

GJM general secretary Roshan Giri said later that he had suggested at the meeting that the population of Darjeeling district had grown much and it would help in better administration if the district was bifurcated. Being a hill area, districts of smaller size were preferable, he argued. The GJM delegates, including Kalimpong MLA Harka Bahadur Chhetri, wanted one district to comprise Darjeeling and Kurseong subdivisions on the western part of the Teesta and the Terai areas included in the present Darjeeling district and the second district to comprise the Kalimpong subdivision on the eastern part of the Teesta and parts of Dooars. Both the districts should be placed under GTA, Giri argued. He did not mention anything about the parts of Siliguri subdivision not strictly under Terai.

Giri said Jalpaiguri should not be bifurcated and Alipurduar be constituted into a new district, as suggested by the state government, till the survey of Dooars was completed to finalize the territorial reorganization and GTA was constituted. "Among the 196 mouzas we have demanded in Dooars for inclusion in GTA, some are in Alipurduar subdivision," Giri said. Three other moujas are in the Rajganj area, adjoining Siliguri town.

GJM president Bimal Gurung did not attend the meeting, but met chief minister Mamata Banerjee later in the day. He said he had discussed with her the issue of reserve forests. GJM wants reserve forests to be brought under the control of GTA. In the memorandum of agreement signed between GJM and the state government, "it was agreed that the state government will make a reference to the Centre on the issue of reserve forests as the power delegated to the state government under the central statute cannot be delegated to any other authority straightaway".

The Times of India

Lepchas agitate for separate council

2011-08-21T20:44:00.000-07:00

KOLKATA/ DARJEELING: A new unrest is brewing in the Hills. Days after the formation of the Gorkha hill council, Lepchas, the ethnic group of the Himalayas, are fighting against the "marginalization" of their community.

Groups of Lepchas from Darjeeling held a series of demonstrations under the banner of Lepcha Rights Movement (LRM) in Kolkata last week, demanding protection. With the Gorkha Territorial Administration now under formation, representatives of LRM feel time has come to raise their issues.

On Thursday, LRM submitted a memorandum to the Darjeeling district magistrate, demanding a separate Lepcha Development Council for the protection of their language, culture and economic development.

Lepchas had a nominated representative in the former Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council, but this did not help the community, an LRM leader said. Being scheduled tribe, they also want a reserved seat for themselves in the West Bengal assembly.

They complain that their identity and culture are being swamped by people of Nepalese origin. They want the introduction of Lepcha language in schools of Darjeeling. Though land owned by Lepchas, being scheduled tribe land, is protected, they say transfer of their land under different pretexts has taken place.

"The Lepcha Development Board will have nothing to do with the GTA and will function as an independent body to safeguard the Lepchas in West Bengal. As far as the introduction of the Lepcha language in the education system is concerned, we want it to be introduced in primary schools," LRM spokesman Samden

Lepcha said.

He said the government policy on Lepchas needed to be amended. "There are policies in place for the Lepchas but they are not right. The policy decision for Lepcha habitat is taken without the slightest protection measure. It is also without considering the daily plight of the Lepchas. There has to be a new policy in place for the Lepcha community for their uplift and to save the community from extinction."

Unlike the Lepchas of Darjeeling who are spread all over the Hills and Kalimpong subdivision having a larger concentration, Lepchas of Sikkim have Dzongu reserved for themselves. But, the plan to

set up a number of hydel projects in Dzongu, located in north Sikkim, has alarmed them. The arrival of a large number of immigrant labourers for the construction of these projects has threatened their habitat.

Lepchas are not numerically strong. According to the ACT website, their number in Sikkim was about 40,000 in a population of over 5,40,000 in the 2001 census. In Darjeeling, the number of Lepchas is estimated to be small, many of them having merged with the larger Nepalese community.

Times of India

Hill SDO resigns from civic post

2011-08-21T20:43:00.000-07:00

Darjeeling, Aug. 19: The the subdivisional officer of Darjeeling has resigned from his post as chairperson of the civic board after his efforts to modernise the system of paying taxes through banks met with stiff resistance from employees.

The decision comes even as the employees of the Darjeeling municipality decided to resume their pen-down strike from tomorrow, an impasse that will affect tax collection as well as issuing of civic documents like birth and death certificates.

The employees have alleged that the new norm introduced by the chairperson, under which property taxes have to be deposited in banks, has left 15 of them without any work. Besides, the process is also cumbersome, they said.

The Darjeeling Municipality Employees’ Union, which claims to be non-political, today said it would continue with the pen-down after a series of meeting with SDO Tamal Das failed.

The employees are demanding that the municipality’s move to entrust the Union Bank of India to collect the property taxes be withdrawn and the old system of depositing cash at the municipality office be revived.

Allan Chhetri, the president of the union, said: “We have decided to resume the pen down strike from tomorrow as the chairperson has not yet fulfilled our demand. The district administration has also not been able to find a solution.” The pen down strike had started on August 4 and was withdrawn on August 13 after the chairperson agreed to meet the agitating employees.

“We have heard that the chairperson has resigned. Every time a new chairperson comes to the municipality, they impose their own rules. Even this decision (to resign) had been taken without consulting the employees,” alleged Chhetri.

The SDO is the ex-officio chairperson of the municipality as elections to the civic body have not been held since 2009 because of the opposition of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha. Since then, three SDOs have been given charge of the three hill municipalities.

Das admitted that he has resigned. “I held a meeting with the employees on Wednesday and told them that we should continue with both the systems. Those wanting to pay property taxes at the banks could continue doing so there and those wanting to pay in cash at the office could also do so. However, the union did not accept this proposal. I have written to the district magistrate stating that I did not wish to continue in this post.”

Darjeeling district magistrate Mohan Gandhi, however, said the chairperson could not resign. “He cannot resign as it is an ex-officio post. We will try and sort out the matter as early as possible,” said Gandhi.

He said an ex-officio chairperson means whoever becomes the SDO will automatically be the municipality caretaker. Das’s resignation has not been accepted.

The employees have, however, refused to budge from their stand and said their demand has to be fulfilled.

“Sixteen employees responsible for collecting the taxes are now without work at the municipality. Making payments at the bank is cumbersome and at times the records do not match. We are aware that our pen down causes inconvenience to the general public but we request them to kindly co-operate with us,” said Chhetri.

Das had earlier said he had introduced the new system in tune with the times. “We need to move forward. After sometime, we can introduce Net banking to make payments even from their homes. I haven’t come across any grievances in the past one-and-a-half months that it has been introduced,” Das had earlier said.

At the moment other taxes like the water, trade licence renewal and mutation fees have not been referred to the banks. But because of the pen-down, these taxes cannot be deposited at the municipality.

Asked if the Morcha, the dominant party in the hills, would try to dissuade the agitators, party general secretary Roshan Giri said; “We are yet to find out what is happening: what is the stand of the employees and what the government wants. Then we will try to work out a solution.”

The Telegraph

Hope Bengal will not be divided: Tribal group

2011-07-24T01:55:00.000-07:00

Kolkata: The Adivasi Vikash Parishad (AVP), which opposed the signing of the Darjeeling tripartite agreement, Saturday expressed hope that the proposed Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) will not have any areas from Terai and Dooars under its jurisdiction.

"We are happy. The chief minister has assured us of development of the area...This is democracy. If somebody wants area from here and there, he or she will not get it. There is parliament and assembly in this country," said AVP president Biswa Tirkey after a meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

A tripartite agreement on the trouble-torn Darjeeling hills in northern West Bengal was signed July 18 between the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) and the state and central governments, triggering euphoria in the hills, but protests and a shutdown in the plains.

At the core of the accord is the formation of a new autonomous elected hill council, the Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA), which is armed with more powers as compared to its predecessor, the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC), formed in the late 1980s.

An expert committee has been set up for the purpose of the survey of the Gorkha-dominated parts of Siliguri, Terai (plains of Darjeeling) and Dooars (foothills of the eastern Himalyas) to examine if areas from these places can be brought under the GTA. The committee is expected to give its report in six months.

When asked whether they were afraid of the expert committee giving away land from the Terai and Dooars to the GTA, Tirkey said: "We were not aware of the features of the agreement. But now we are clear. We are not afraid of anything now."

"We have discussed the matter fully with the chief minister. We are living in the Terai and Dooars area for past 200 years. Our forefathers were living in that place. It is not so easy. We will place our versions before the expert committee," he said.

The pact in Darjeeling

2011-07-24T01:54:00.000-07:00

Whether the tripartite agreement signed for setting up an autonomous administrative body for the Darjeeling Hills will pave the way for settling the ‘Gorkhaland' question — the cause of much bloodshed and agitation in northern West Bengal — is uncertain. The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration pact was the culmination of nearly three years of painstaking talks between the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha, the central government, and the Left Front government of West Bengal. Following a forward-looking decision to set up an alternative to the defunct Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC), the breakthrough came in December 2010 with the GJM accepting the State government's condition that the proposed set-up must comprise elected members, and not nominated ones (as the GJM had until then demanded). The sweep to power of the Trinamool Congress in the State gave the process a push — the party's partnership in the UPA coalition at the centre and its friendly ties with the GJM helped the three sides overcome some obstacles, such as the name for the proposed body, and the administrative powers that would be devolved to it. The GTA, to be created once the agreement gets the legislative sanction, will have substantive financial, administrative, and executive powers, going far beyond what was devolved to the DGHC; against the 39 departments of the DGHC, the new set up is to have 59. Nevertheless, a discordant note is struck by the text of the agreement acknowledging that the GJM, one of the three signatories, has not given up its demand for a separate State while recording the opposition of the other two signatories — the central and State governments — to that demand.

A committee is to be constituted to go into the GJM's territorial claims in the Dooars and the Terai and in Siliguri, despite the rejection of such claims by the people of these areas. There are apprehensions across West Bengal that the Gorkha leadership will view these concessions as a basis for further agitation. Within a few hours of signing the agreement, Bimal Gurung, the GJM leader, declared that the demand for Gorkhaland had not been given up. This may be posturing to win his constituency's acceptance for the GTA agreement but, on the other hand, it might not be. The hope is that the political leadership of the Gorkha community will focus on working constructively within the scope offered by the GTA. The Centre's promised financial package of Rs.600 crore over three years, aside from the normal Plan assistance to the State, is a huge incentive. The question that nobody can answer at this point is whether this opportunity will be seized to usher in better times for a long-troubled region of the country.

GTA about Darjeeling only, Gorkhaland a national issue: AAGSU

2011-07-24T01:39:00.000-07:00

ALL ASSAM GORKHA STUDENTS’ UNION (AAGSU)’s response to formation of GORKHA TERRETORIAL ADMINISTRATION (GTA) in Darjeeling

Guwahati, 23rd July 2011: The central core steering committee of All Assam Gorkha Students’ Union (AAGSU) apex students’ and youths’ organization of Gorkhas of Assam has decided to inform the nation that formation Gorkha Territorial Administration(GTA) has no connection to the Gorkhas of Assam and Northeast and it is merely about road, water, education, safety, socio-poltical and economic development of Darjeeling.

The agreement nowhere mentions anything about Gorkhas of nation besides Darjeeling hills. 40% of the national Gorkha population who resides in Assam and Northeast do not find a place in it. It is a matter of huge displeasure for supporters of Gorkhaland movement from these region. We do not refrain from condemning the act of keeping us in total darkness on clauses of GTA while the leaders of Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJM) have been promising of packages and Special Protected Class (SPC) for the Gorkhas of Northeast region.

AAGSU is of the opinion that Gorkhaland is not about Darjeeling Hills only, it is about identity and ethnicity of the Gorkhas of this nation. It is not only about the piece of land in the North Bengal region but about emotional and political identity amongst population of the nation. We express our displeasure on the activities of leaders of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, Northeast Co-ordination Committee who promised the people of NE region of SPC and special grants and reservations and are silent today at the signing of GTA agreement by their central leaders where the word Northeast does not find even a mention.

GTA agreement totally fails to meet the hopes and aspirations of Gorkhaland and Gorkhas of the nation. But we welcome it in context of Darjeeling. GTA is nowhere near powerful to the Bodoland Territorial Council or other autonomous councils of Northeastern region so this could just be eyewash comparatively. Neither the ST statuses of some tribes of Gorkhas have been recognized nor any territory for administration is decided, on the other hand Dooars and parts of Siliguri being leftout indicate that GTA is just renewal of existing DGHC.

“The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration agreement in itself is a milestone for the development of Darjeeling district of West Bengal and it particularly benefits the population of three subdivisions of the dist, but the incomplete work of ensuring the national identity of Gorkhas across India must continue with bigger mandate by one nationally present organization. We welcome the renewal of development process in Darjeeling dist. Initiated by the West Bengal government Mamta Banerjee and approved by Union Home ministry that shall empower administrators of Darjeeling is not the result of the Gorkhaland movement but central and state governments policy to suppress the nationwide hopes and aspiration of Gorkhaland.

The work to concretise national identity for Gorkhas must go on and it will continue and AAGSU will also contribute in every way possible in this struggle for the Gorkha national identity”, said Nanda Kirati Dewan, Information and Publicity Secretary of AAGSU while interacting with mediapersons at Gorkha Thakurbari who have been seeking AAGSU’s stand on GTA. He made it loud and clear that leaders of GJM Northeast Co-ordination committee have been campaigning for Special Protected Class for Gorkhas of the region. AAGSU had dropped dissolving Special Protected Class Demand Committee in a highly empowered delegates session and demanded the formation of legislative decision empowered Gorkha Autonomous Council (GAC) within the geographical territory of Assam. It formed Gorkha Autonomous Council Demand Committee (GACDC) in 2003 and since then have been carrying out the movement relentlessly and as and when required has been a part of Gorkhaland movement in the national context.

Coming down heavily NECC, GJM; ‘’GJM leaders has kept quiet now and this has prompted AAGSU to speak on this issue. AAGSU will not tolerate and hit back if our emotions are not respected. In Assam we are committed for a Gorkha Autonomous Council that is being supported by Gorkha organization leaders and intellects across Northeast and more than 42 social, democratic and community students’ organization of the state including the umbrella organization United Peoples’ Federation of Assam(UPFA). “, the AAGSU leader decried.

All Assam Gorkha Students’ Union have welcomed the move of Assam Government to upgrade the prestigious and premier Cotton College established in 1901 to Cotton College State University and have appreciated the thinktank process of establishing one university each in Jorhat, Diphu and North Lakhimpur. This will definitely facilitate better higher education and benefit the students of the Northeastern states besides Assam.

New Beginning and status for Darjeeling

2011-07-21T05:00:00.000-07:00

It is just as well that the parties to the tripartite agreement on Darjeeling’s autonomy went in with their eyes open. While the West Bengal chief minister and the leader of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha stuck to their expected margins of rhetoric, the fact that could not be missed was the awareness of reality and each other’s compulsions that they displayed. That is always a safe premise to begin on, and keeps politics within the bounds of reason and maximalist impulses at bay. Mamata Banerjee unequivocally declared that Bengal will not be divided, and that the agreement is not a precursor to division. Bimal Gurung, acknow-ledging Banerjee’s constituency in the plains, emphasised that the GJM had not given up its demand for statehood. In fact, in a concession to the GJM, that the demand stays alive was written into the memorandum of agreement. Otherwise, what the hills have gained this time round is immensely bigger than what they had acquired 23 years earlier.

Most importantly, Gurung seems to have understood the responsibility now placed on the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, running which will be distinctly different from spearheading an agitation. While Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram warmly warned the GJM about this, the GTA’s object lesson in how not to do things remains the Subash Ghising-run Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council — in particular, Ghising’s failure to account for nearly Rs 80 crore and to do any work. Moreover, the DGHC got very little compared to the sums the GTA will receive from the Centre and the state; nor did the DGHC have the power, on paper, to spend the money any which way it pleased. The much larger GTA, with executive and financial but no legislative powers, is getting 59 departments in comparison to the DGHC’s 19. That is a lot of opportunity to begin the turnaround in the hills with, although little can happen without the oversight and cooperation of Kolkata and New Delhi.

Once the state assembly passes the bill establishing the GTA and elections to the body are held, Gurung and his colleagues will have to prove their ability to govern and deliver on the socio-economic revival the Darjeeling hills need — that includes infrastructure, commerce, the tea industry, health and education. The territorial issue is still pending and whatever happens in faraway Telangana is likely to frame politics in north Bengal. But, for now, as Chidambaram, Banerjee and Gurung noted, there is peace in Darjeeling — long sought and long denied to its people. Irrespective of the discordant notes, there is harmony enough to make a new beginning.

Indian Express

Left to skip hill signing

2011-07-17T18:51:00.000-07:00

Calcutta, July 16: Surjya Kanta Mishra today said he won’t attend Monday’s signing of the hill tripartite agreement because the CPM thinks that the formation of the Gorkhaland Territorial Authority (GTA) was the “first step” towards statehood.

“We have come to know that the state government is considering the inclusion of some mouzas in the Dooars and the Terai in the new set-up for the Darjeeling hills. We have serious objections to this,” said Mishra, whom the state government had invited as he is the leader of the Opposition in the Assembly.

“Never had this issue been considered by the Centre and the previous state government. We believe that the inclusion of these areas would create immense problems between the people of the hills and the plains. It appears to be a step towards the creation of a separate state,’’ Mishra told a news conference today.

The deal on the proposed Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) will be signed on Monday at Pintail village, 1.5km from Siliguri, in the presence of chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Union home minister P. Chidambaram and Gorkha Janmukti Morcha president Bimal Gurung.

The state government has not made any announcement on the inclusion of parts of the Dooars and the Terai in the area under the GTA.

Mamata’s government has formed a committee to suggest the territorial reach of the set-up and the panel is supposed to submit its report in six months.

The Morcha has demanded that the Gorkha-dominated areas of the Dooars and the Terai be included in the set-up.

Mishra accused the state government of “not bothering” to discuss the proposed hill accord in the Assembly. He said the government also did not convene an all-party meeting to deliberate on the issue.

“We want a peaceful and final solution to the Darjeeling problem. Our government had also tried to do that. But such a serious issue wasn’t discussed or debated in the Assembly by the new government. The government could have convened an all-party meeting but that too wasn’t done,” he said.

The CPM leader said the Trinamul-led government did not consider the decisions taken in the tripartite meetings of which the Left government had been a part. He also accused the Mamata government of not making the terms and conditions of the deal public.

“The state government is going to sign an agreement with the Morcha in the Centre’s presence without letting the people know about the terms and conditions of the pact. This is unacceptable. So I will not attend the deal-signing programme,’’ he said.

Mishra said there should have been an “open discussion” in the Assembly on the use of the word “Gorkhaland” in the name of the set-up.

The Telegraph

Hills pact spurs speculations, fear

2011-07-17T18:50:00.000-07:00

DARJEELING/SILIGURI: A day before the Gorkhaland Territorial Agreement (GTA) is signed, emotions ran high among the people from the Hills as well as the plain land. While some were ecstatic, some looked outraged and others maintained a stoic silence. Questions are already doing the rounds on how long this latest euphoria will last before the Hills witness another round of unrest. Nearly 23 years ago, a similar accord was signed between Subhas Ghising's GNLF, the Centre and the state in Kolkata. However, the pact failed to bring any significant development in the region.

"Before long, you will find a breakaway faction of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) spearheading yet another agitation for separate statehood. Trouble is that none of the leaders have got a specific roadmap for development. They are simply riding the waves of discontentment and identity crisis to create better lives for themselves. That is exactly what happened with the GNLF," said a retired school teacher in Sukna, barely a few kilometres away from where the agreement will be signed on Monday.

Though of Nepali origin, he didn't hesitate to point to a group of young men slicing bamboo with khukris across the road. The sticks they are preparing will be used to put up GJM flags along the route which West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and Union home minister P Chidambaram will take on Monday.

"I don't hold out much hope with these sorts of people controlling things in the region. Ever since the new government in the state talked of sorting out the Darjeeling issue, youngsters such as these have been going around with an air of defiance. Threats have already started being issued on personal matters. Even those of Nepali origin are being forced to bear the brunt. I fear that just like Ghising, these people will start running the region like a fiefdom," he said.

Elsewhere, like in the Jalpaiguri district, there is always the concern of ethnic clashes breaking out. Though Kalchini MLA Wilson Champramari is expected to attend Monday's ceremony at Pintail village, people of non-Nepali origin have nothing to harp on, which would assure them of a peaceful existence.

"The situation is so tense that even a minor incident will lead to a major conflagration. The GJM leadership has not come out with a statement announcing that everybody will be treated equally. There was no need to push for the word 'Gorkhaland'. This reeks of parochialism. Tomorrow, we will have other groups seeking ethnic settlements. There was nothing wrong with the word 'Darjeeling'," a trader in Siliguri said. According to him, Mamata will have to tread carefully and stub out any kind of violence, the moment it starts. Given the state of affairs in Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri now, even a minor altercation can lead to extreme violence and throw all her plans for development in jeopardy.

Mamata likely to visit Hills next week

2011-07-17T18:47:00.000-07:00

KOLKATA: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee is likely to visit Darjeeling on July 17 or 18 to attend a meeting on the tripartite agreement on Gorkha Territorial administration. Representatives from the union government, officers and ministers of the state government and those from the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), who spearheaded the movement for separate statehood, will attend the meeting.

The meeting has been organized after the union home ministry concurred with the date. The state government has finalised the draft of the agreement that would be sent to the Centre and to Darjeeling for a consensus before the meeting.

Significantly, within 17 days of taking charge of the state administration, Mamata managed to break the long impasse that plagued the Hills for long. Immediately after, peace was restored in Darjeeling. Tourists started swarming the Hills.

The state administration is of opinion that this is the right moment for the tripartite agreement that would take peace to the next level.

On Friday, there was a meeting between the state administration and GJM representatives at the state secretariat. The state government proposed separate school service commission, college service commission, PF and insurance offices for the Hills.

The meeting also decided that the Gorkha Territorial administration would be able to create and appoint government officials, said an official.

The self-governed Hills body would be created through an election. After the agreement, the government would bring a bill in the next assembly session for the authorization of the body. The bill will also require a concurrence from the President. The state government expected that an election for the body can be held by March next year.

The GJM has asked for the inclusion of 300 moujas of Terai and Dooars into the proposed territory. On the other hand, the residents of Terai and Dooars think otherwise. So the state government has proposed the formation of a committee that would have representatives from the Hills as well as from Terai and Dooars.

The committee, which would have four representatives from the state, one from the Centre and four from the GJM, would submit its report within six months.

Till the election, the five-member administrative board, which includes the hill council administrator, three MLAs from the Hills, the DM of the Darjeeling district, would carry out the development works in the Hills.

Time of India

India's most wanted - frogs

2011-07-17T18:45:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, Dr SD Biju, an eminent Indian amphibian researcher, was leading volunteers in the forests surrounding Mirik Lake in Darjeeling, West Bengal. They were on the lookout for frogs belonging to that region. Here, it's not habitat destruction that has led to the frogs' disappearance, but the fact that locals comsume them.

This is only one of the few obstacles faced by this team that functions under the umbrella organisation Lost Amphibians of India (LAI), launched in November 2010 with the plan to travel the country to rediscover India's
'lost' amphibians.

Sadly, over 50 species of amphibians in India, mostly frogs and caecilians, are thought to have gone extinct, since noone has seen them for 10 years. Some have not been seen for 18, others for 169 years. The figures are dire when one considers that about 60 per cent of Indian amphibians are not found anywhere else in the world.

Dr Biju, coordinator and brainchild, LAI, says, "They have existed for centuries and have seen many animals go extinct. But now this category is quickly disappearing too."

He thinks the reason is habitat loss. "Many might still be around but won't be for long if steps are not taken to conserve them."

The expedition team, apart from scouring the country looking for lost species and studying them, is also trying to involve the locals and forest department officials in conservation. But it's not easy. Most of these areas are marshlands, rainforests or protected areas. Plus, these animals come only at night.

But results are emerging. The LAI has already rediscovered five species of frogs that were considered extinct. These include the green Chalazodes Bubble-Nest Frog in Tamil Nadu, sighted after 136 years, the Anamalai Dot-Frog, from Kerala after 73 years, the Elegant Torrent Frog, from Karnataka after 73 years, the Stream Frog from Uttarakhand after 25 years, and the Silent Valley Tropical Frog from Kerala after 30 years.

Over 19 expeditions have already been undertaken this year. Dr Biju says, "We have found some interesting species that are being identified. Many are probably lost species, while some may be never-before-identified.

We will make an announcement about the findings in September."

While amphibians are facing extinction worldover, he says steps are being taken to conserve them in other countries. "Here, conservation activities are geared towards only certain animals," he says.

Dr Caesar Sengupta, a wildlife photographer who participated in many of LAI's expeditions, says, "Conservation activities in India focus only on the tiger and the elephant. While they are equally important, so are amphibians. Without them, there will be a major bio-diversity shift."

Midday

Original inhabitants seek quota

2011-07-17T18:44:00.000-07:00

Kalimpong, July 17: The Lepchas, acknowledged as the original inhabitants of the Darjeeling hills, have demanded reservation of seats in the proposed Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) to ensure that the community remains an integral part of the political system in their homeland.

Speaking for the community, the Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Forum, which is the political arm of the Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association (ILTA), said reservation was necessary given that since Independence, the political, cultural and social issues of the tribe had not been addressed at all levels of government — local, state and central.

“All these issues are very vital to the existence of the Lepcha tribe and the preservation of the historic background of the region as a whole,” said Paul Simick, the forum president.

He said the Lepchas constituted about 20 per cent of the nearly nine-lakh hill population and they should be made an integral part of any political settlement.

“During the chaotic political agitation in the 1980s, the indigenous Lepchas were totally ignored in the overall development process. The indigenous Lepchas have felt left out for nearly a quarter of a century because of the apathetic attitude of the DGHC and the state government. There was no thought of their well-being and no attempts whatsoever to conserve their culture, customs and traditions,” said Simick.

The forum also demanded that the Lepchas be officially declared the indigenous tribe of the hills and certain exclusive provisions like quotas in jobs, colleges and universities be provided for them.

“As the indigenous tribe of the Darjeeling hills, the Lepchas deserve space to breathe,” said Simick.

He also reiterated the long-standing demand for inclusion of the Lepcha language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution and said it should also be immediately introduced in schools and colleges in the hills.

“During British rule, Lepcha was one of the official languages of the region. Sadly, in our very own Bengal, successive governments have not taken any step to teach this old language in schools and colleges in the hills where there are enough Lepcha tribal students,” Simick said.

In an effort to preserve the rich cultural heritage of the Lepchas, the forum also demanded the setting up of a Lepcha cultural institute.

“The rich cultural heritage of the Lepchas is being sustained only through verbal and written communication by the Lepchas themselves, some interested individuals, scholars and the Kalimpong-headquartered ILTA. The Lepcha cultural heritage, however, may not be able to withstand the onslaught of multi-cultural invasion in the 21st century if immediate steps are not taken to preserve and advance it,” added Simick.

The Telegraph

Exams near, Hills schools panic

2011-02-09T23:53:00.000-08:00

The offensive in the Darjeeling hills has set alarm bells ringing at the 40-odd schools of the district because the ISC practical exams start on Monday.

The question papers have not yet reached the schools and as things stand now, both boarders and day scholars will find it difficult to reach schools for the exams. The heads of the schools fear that if the warring GJM does not agree to provide a reprieve to students appearing for their board exams, a large number of careers will be affected.

GJM general secretary Roshan Giri, however, allayed such fears saying: “We are aware of the ensuing board exams and do not want students to suffer. We will work out a way for students like always. There is still time for that.”

Of the affected schools, 15 are Anglo Indian boarding schools that have existed for over a century in the Hills and are hence renowned heritage institutions. These institutions have decided to wait and watch the situation for the next 24 hours and then start a dialogue with the GJM so that the board exams can go ahead in peace.

The ISC practical exams are scheduled on February 14, 17 and 20. Thereafter, the written exams start for both ISC and ICSE on February 28. According to rules, the question papers for the practical exams reach schools in advance so that the laboratories can be prepared accordingly. The Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) has already sent the question papers, but those meant for the Hills are still lying with Don Bosco, Siliguri, the collection centre for the Council’s exams for the zone.

St Joseph’s Darjeeling, popularly known as North Point, had kept all boarders due to appear for the board exams in the school itself during the winter break fearing this disruption, but other schools have not done that. In these schools, boarders were about to return early this week, well in time for Monday’s exam. But no one has managed to do that. Students and parents are extremely worried whether the practical exams will take place at all and anxious phone calls are pouring in from all over.

“In case of my school, the problem is two-prong. The boarders due for the board exams are here, but their parents are extremely worried for their safety. On the other hand, there is no way in which I can bring the question papers from Siliguri because of the strike. So how do I prepare the laboratories? Even day scholars of our school who will appear for their board exams, will find it extremely difficult to make it to the venue if the stand-off continues!” said Father Kinley Tshering, head of North Point.

St Paul’s School, another top institution of Darjeeling located in Jalapahar, has to contend with the fact that all its boarders are yet to return. “We are tense and hope things get better over the next couple of days and our boarders set to take the board exams return at least by Saturday. We might have to take the help of the Army to bring the question papers if time runs out,” said rector of the school, Carol Joseph.

A worried father, whose son is a boarder at Mount Herman and will write his ICSE exam on February, is not sure if his son will be able to reach the venue at all. “I am an architect and I work extensively in Sikkim. Right in front of my eyes, I saw protesters set two trucks and a private vehicle ablaze. How will I risk my son’s life and take him back to school for the exam?” he said.

Source: Times of India

Khukuri attacker a woman

2011-02-09T23:51:00.000-08:00

A woman had wielded the khukuri thrice at home guard Karuna Tigga, the injured law enforcer said today, recounting the events that led to the police firing at Sibchu in Jalpaiguri yesterday.

“Suddenly, some women grabbed me and dragged me into the crowd. My helmet slipped off my head and I fell in the confusion. A woman hit my head with a khukuri. She hacked me thrice and I heard the report of a shot being fired as I fell,” said Karuna, who was erroneously identified as Kalyani yesterday.

Lying in a bed at the district hospital here, a feeble Karuna said: “I have been posted either at Kumani or Sibchu ever since the Morcha set up camps there. There were other home guards and lady constables deployed in front of the community centre at Sibchu where hundreds of Morcha supporters had gathered shouting slogans.

“We, the women, formed the front of the police barricade as we were confronting mainly supporters of the Nari Morcha (the women’s wing of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha). I was wearing khaki and a helmet and carrying a lathi. Behind the women security ring were policemen and then CRPF personnel.”

She said tear-gas shells had been burst and Nari Morcha members on a hunger strike evicted from the community hall. “The senior officers were urging the demonstrators to disperse and we had once again come face to face with a group of protesters.”

After recounting the khukuri attack, Karuna, a mother of two, said: “I do not remember what took place after that. I woke up at the hospital in pain. However, I am feeling a little better today.”

The home guard job had passed on to Karuna four years ago from her father Shyamal Tigga who had died while in service. Her husband, Samsul Ekka, had died some years ago. “I have no one but my two children who are in hostel. My colleagues are looking after me in hospital,” said Karuna, who lives in a rented room in Panpara near here. According to officials, home guards with Karuna’s experience drew anything between Rs 5,000 and Rs 6,000 a month.

Karuna’s 12-year-old daughter Deepika is a student of Class VI and stays in a tribal hostel in Nagrakata. Ten-year-old son Rohit Ekka studies in Class IX and stays in a similar facility in Banarhat.

Doctors said Karuna was out of danger. “She had received three injuries on the top of her head and on the back and the wounds were stitched,” said a doctor.

Karuna said what happened on Tuesday was not comparable to the small skirmishes she had come across in the past. “They were not like what I experienced yesterday. I do not know where I will be posted next but I will definitely report for duty during similar situations in future,” she said.

A senior police officer said home guards were trained in crowd control and baton charge. Asked why home guards, who were only allowed to wield lathis, had been deployed at Sibchu yesterday, the officer said: “Women home guards are also deputed to control law and order situations as they are counted as lady police in every police station they are posted.”

Source: The Telegraph

Police lathi charge GJM supporters at Shibsu to disperse GJM supporters

2011-01-30T21:23:00.000-08:00

Tension gripped the entire hill when a news spread about the lathi charge by the police at Sibshu. GJNM staged demonstration in all the police stations and traffic was halted for about three hours in all the areas of three hill subdivisions and NH 55, NH 31 C near Bagrakote and NH31A during the afternoon. Later at about 5 pm the blockade was withdrawn. Four GJM supporters were arrested from Rangpo for disrupting the traffic movement in NH 31 A.

According to the informations received from local GJM members of Sibshu, police charged with batons to a group of GJM and GJNM members gathered there. On the second day of hunger strike in Sibshu Dooars near Khumani more 7 local GJNM members of Sibshu Forest village had participated in the verandah of Sibshu Community hall. Violating 144 CrPC GJM supporters were gathered near the premises of a pandal erected for the hunger strike. They were joined by GJM and GJNM supporters from Khumani area by sneaking through a bye lane via a forest.

There was a commotion when police lathicharged to disperse the crowd of GJM supporters without any warning or firing tear gas shells. Atleast 8 people suffered minor injuries while one is seriously injured and rushed to SD Hospital Kalimpong. The group of GJM supporters had entered Sibshu area from Khumani through a bye lane. Jalpaiguri police has stopped plying of all vehicles through the Khunia more to Jaldhaka via Sibshu. All the vehicles of this route are taking the Matelli Khumani route to reach Jholung, Todey and Gairibas, Rongo.

On the second day of the relay hunger strike in Kalimpong seven members of Janmukti Asthayi Karmachari Sangathan participated. Meanwhile in the morning GJNM the women's wing of GJM gheraoed residence of Dawa Pakhrin former GNLF councillor and present President of Gorkhaland Rajya Nirman Morcha for speaking against the GJM stand about Gorkhaland. Pakhrin had ridiculed the recent switching over of demand of GJM from GRA to separate statehood. In the afternoon GJNM supporters stopped movement of all two and four wheelers and protested against the police atrocities in Dooars and demanded safe passage to the Long March Padyatra of Bimal Gurung GJM President from Khumani to Jaigaon.

Source: KalimNews

GJM supporters block NH-55

2011-01-30T21:15:00.000-08:00

DARJEELING: Protesting the alleged police lathi-charge on supporters in Dooars, activists of the GJM blocked NH-55 in Darjeeling and demonstrated in front of the Sadar police station for more then two hours on Sunday afternoon.

GJM assistant secretary Benoy Tamang, who is currently in the Dooars, alleged that the police had tried to forcibly remove the participants of the ongoing relay hunger strike at Shibshu. Failing to do so, they allegedly entered the houses of some GJM supporters and beat them up with lathis. "Police used force to remove those participating in our hunger strike. But when they could not, they vented their anger on our innocent supporters," alleged Tamang. Five GJM supporters were allegedly beaten up.

Source: Times of India

Barricade breach foiled - Morcha accuses police of baton charge, administration denies allegation

2011-01-30T21:14:00.000-08:00

Another attempt by Gorkha Janmukti Morcha supporters to move from Kumani to Sibchu in Jalpaiguri was thwarted today by police with the agitators claiming that they were baton-charged, a contention that was denied by the administration.

The Morcha supporters led by party president Bimal Gurung, who has been camping in Kumani in Kalimpong subdivision since January 19, have so far made two unsuccessful attempts to breach the police barricade on the Dooars border.

The first attempt was made on January 25, on the day the Morcha leadership met Union home minister, P. Chidambaram in Delhi.

Matters were peaceful at Kumani today where around 10.30am Morcha supporters led by Gurung observed the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Then around 300 Morcha supporters, including those from the Nari Morcha, suddenly headed towards the police barricade at Sibchu, 5km from Kumani.

A number of Nari Morcha supporters also sat on a relay hunger strike at a community hall in Sibchu, protesting the administration’s refusal to allow their party president to lead a padayatra through the Dooars to Jaigaon for Gorkhaland.

At 2pm, police officers, in the presence of divisional commissioner A.K. Singh, requested the Morcha supporters to disperse from the spot as just beyond the barricade Section 144 was in place.

“The demonstrators refused to budge. As they still continued to demonstrate, we ordered the policemen to chase and disperse them from the area. It was done to maintain law and order and there was no lathi-charge,” said Sukhen Baraik, a deputy magistrate posted at Sibchu.

The Morcha leadership has condemned the lathi-charge on their supporters. “Five of our supporters have been injured in the lathi-charge. One of them, Prakash Rai, has fractured his ankle and has been admitted to the subdivisional hospital in Kalimpong. Among the others who have suffered injuries is 67-year-old Kaila Rai,” said Binay Tamang, Morcha assistant secretary, over the phone from Kumani.

Tamang said the administration has “detained” them at Kumani for nearly 13 days. “The administration is treating us like terrorists and have been citing the imposition of prohibitory orders but Asok Bhattacharya held meetings in Malbazar a couple of days back,” he said.

From 4.30pm, the Morcha set up road blockades across the hills for two hours and demonstrated in front of police stations to protest the alleged lathicharge.

Jalpaiguri police chief Anand Kumar denied that the Morcha supporters were lathi-charged. “Our men just chased them away from Sibchu as they were repeatedly trying to violate the prohibitory orders. There was no lathi-charge,” Kumar said.

Inspector general of police (north Bengal) Ranvir Kumar said cases have been started against Morcha activists who blocked NH31A today.

“Subsequently, a case could be framed against Bimal Gurung if investigations reveal that he had called for the blockade,” Kumar said. The national highway is Sikkim’s only road link with the rest of the country.

Source: The Telegraph

United Sikkim on I-League doorstep

2011-01-30T21:11:00.001-08:00

Gangtok, Sikkim: The United Sikkim Football Club, whose chief patron is Bhaichung Bhutia, is set to be the second team in the state after Denzong Boys to take part in the second division of the I-League.

The management of the club has expressed confidence that the team will be included in this season scheduled to commence in the first week of March.

An application by the United Sikkim for inclusion in the I-League second division has been scrutinised and the clubs selected for this season will be announced by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in February.

“One of the most important criteria to play in the I-League is the availability of long-term sponsor, and the United Sikkim has fulfilled it. So, I am confident that we will certainly get the nod from the AFC,” said Bhaichung.

The AFC norms stipulate that a team should have a sponsor for at least five years to qualify for the I-League.

During a brief interaction with the media here yesterday, the Indian captain said he had always dreamed about the United Sikkim becoming one of the best professional soccer outfits in the country.

“Oversees sponsors have expressed interest in financing the United Sikkim.I am aiming to take the United Sikkim to the I-League first division in three years and to make the club the best in India in five years. Once we qualify for the I-League, at least five-six members of the national squad will be ready to play for us,” said Bhaichung.

He added that Stanley Rozario, the former assistant coach of the national football team, had already been signed as a coach of the United Sikkim.

The chief patron along with key associates of the United Sikkim scouted a few locations in and around Gangtok yesterday to set up football grounds and a hostel for the club. He also met a bunch of local players being groomed by the club for future challenges.

Bhaichung said Rennedy Singh, the vice-captain of the national team, was likely to play for the United Sikkim in the second division this year along with him.

“Since there is not much time left for the second division I-League to start, I find it difficult to find top players for my club. But talks are on with members of other first and second division teams and foreigners to play for the team,” said Bhaichung.

The team, which was earlier known as the United Sikkim Sporting Club, has already started preparations for the second division matches.

Six local players of the club today left Gangtok for Calcutta where they will be training with other team members. The six are Tenzin Tshepel Bhutia, Pawan Chhetri, Sagar Rai, Bhupendra Khewa, Issac Dok Lepcha and Mayal Dok Lepcha.

Bhaichung, who is nursing an injury, said he would be ready to play for his club by May.

Source: The Telegraph

We have full confidence on our Karmapa: KRC

2011-01-30T21:10:00.000-08:00

Gangtok, Sikkim: The Karmapa Reception Committee , a united body of associations here in support of Ogyen Trinley Dorjee as the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa has asserted that the incidents unfolding thick and fast a Dharamshala has not dented the faith of his followers in Sikkim.
“We cannot comment much on reports of unaccounted money being recovered fron the office of the 17th Karmapa at Dharamsala as investigation are on. Let the investigation be completed but such reports have not dented the faith of Sikkimese people who believe that Ogyen Trinley Dorjee is the real Karmapa. We have full confidence in our Karmapa and the Buddhism followers here are feeling hurt on him being targeted in an unjustified manner. Our full sympathy is with our Karmapa”, said KPC spokesperson KN Topden. Though, the KRC is waiting for the investigation to complete the accounted foreign money allegedly recovered from the office of Ogyen Trinley Dorjee at Dharamsala, the organization unequivocally dismissed the speculations projected by national media that 17th Karmapa was an agent planted by foreign country.
“Such allegatiions have been there earlier also. These speculations ridiculous. The 17th Karmapa was 10-11 years old when he escaped from Tibet and came to India. How can a child be a foreign agent? He was also subjected to intense security by the Indian government and has been under observation”, said Tobden.
Topden further pointed out that the Dalai Lama had endorsed Ogyen Trinley as the 17th Karmapa and such ‘cooked up’ projections are also questioning the spiritual leader.
At same time KRC is seeing a silver lining in dark clouds surrounding the institution of the 17th Karmapa.
“At least the investigations are there. It will clear up the whole air. If the investigations will find nothing then the 17th Karmapa should be allowed to come to Sikkim”. This has always been a demand of Sikkimese people, said Topden.

Source: Voice of Sikkim

NHPC beacons for destruction of human lives

2011-01-30T21:09:00.000-08:00

Singtam, Sikkim: It’s almost been years or so the most disputed NHPC Stage V Hydel Project has started a production of Electricity from raging Sikkim’s largest torrential river Teesta but beside production one very important thing hydel project has neglected is security of human habitats meandering along the river side’s. Thousands of people lives along the river banks, playful childrens and animals comprising of domestic & wild life who are constantly roaming along great river bank of Teesta. Some of the people are sustaining their livelihood from the river too alternative to that occupation they have no other option for survival for themselves and their families. May be crores of rupee worth power is generated from the river but what’s the value of those generated power where shaft of turbine kills innocent human lives? The violent gushing current of Teesta is ferocious which has never left anyone alive on its vicinity since many hundred years, now the trapped lakhs of cubic meter volume of water in a dam in recent times if there goes anything wrong then one can think about unscalable catastrophe raging from dam site in Singtam to plains of West Bengal. It is although know reality that the tiny himalayan piece of land Sikkim resides on top of deadly seismic zone and fault, so precaution was top priority to be given at earliest then thinking about production?
What early precautionary measures are adopted and commissioned by NHPC so far, it could just be no other written black & white promises in MoU signed with authority. Lets come to a basic thing now, has any one estimated how much water is stored up there in reservoir in the closed dam of NHPC? Alas! Not really has anyone thought about it…
The necessity is surely a mother of invention but subject to constrain about security first then comes the usages, is not it so? Busy highway NH-31 A runs parallel to the river Teesta, apparently or unfortunately there’s not a single well equipped alarm system or visible signboard which reads “Death is following you!”. Not just a highway even a residential houses which are on both sides of road from Singtam to Sevok in plain are safer in case water level goes bewildering anytime.
Sikkim is a tourist destination place as well as nearby hills of Darjeeling lives up with tourism benefits from river Teesta using it for adventure sports like rafting. In that case what precaution is made so as to notify the innocent people about sudden rise in water level or even while draining excessive water level in reservoir in dam site?
The Hindus cremate dead body in river bank a ritual which is followed since thousands of years, astonishingly there has triggered many instances where the ritual being concluded properly the body gets washed away due to sudden rise in water level of Teesta.

Source: Voice of Sikkim

24 hr Relay hunger strike of GJM started from 29 January

2011-01-29T20:27:00.000-08:00

Indefinite relay hunger strike for 24 hr was started in all the three hill districts and Dooars. On the first day of the hunger strike 7 members of Parvatiya Apanga Kalyan Sangathan participated. In other areas members of different frontal wings of GJM participated. In Shibsu of Nagarkatta Dooars located near Khumani, local GJM supporters participated in relay hunger strike. IG of North Bengal Police prohibited GJYM members to assemble there and dismantled the other camps of GJYM though the hunger strike is continuing.

Tension prevailed in Khumani where police force had shifted the barricade about 50 mt towards Darjeeling district. Later the police agreed to shift the barricade to Jalpaiguri area from tomorrow. Hundreds of GJM supporters gathered in the spot protested against the police. Additional force is deputed in Khumani. Everyday 50 supporters from each unit is deputed at Khumani to demonstrate near the police barricade. Youths from other areas are also swarming in the camps of GJM at Khumani. Police halted the traffic in NH31C near Bagrakote Mina more for about 2 hr and checked vehicle to stop the GJYM supporters heading towards Dooars from hills. Traffic in NH 31A was also halted by GJM Teesta Unit for about 3 hr when the news of Bagrakote reached the Highway.

Source: Kalimpong News

Dawa Sangpo claimant of 17th Karmapa speaks

2011-01-29T20:18:00.000-08:00

29 Jan, Gangtok, Sikkim: In a press conference held in capital today claimant of 17th Karmapa Dawa Sangpo told to the media that finally the truth is unveiling to world about Ugyen Trinley Dorje. It may be recalled that Himachal Pradesh Police had raided house and Monastery of 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh on Friday where huge amount of foreign currencies in six suitcases were extracted from the Gyuto Tantric University and Monastery premises near the Army’s Yol Cantt. An incident have led to suspicion to Indian security agencies about Karmapa’s dealing with China after recovering Chinese currencies in the raid.

Talking over the incident of raid Dawa Sangpo said that the government should conduct through investigation and cancel exile Tibetan government in the country since this is a serious breach to national security. “The money do not make anyone Karmapa, truth cannot be brought with money”, he said. Speaking to the media he lambasted the government for delaying in early investigation which could have been resolved at earliest about Ugyen Trinley Dorje. The recent rally called on 26 September in capital is linked with Ugyen’s black money which should also be investigated in Sikkim, he said. He added that Ugyen’s followers should follow a truth not a money. Dawa Sangpo reiterated to his previous claim that he is always open to prove himself and that test will define who the real 17th Karmapa is. He said that his life is in great danger in present situation but he would accept any fate to die for truth anytime. Today’s press conference was called up by Narbu Yangdup Chholing Monastic Committee, Diu Damthang heading Dawa Sangpo as Claimant of 17th Karmapa.

Source: Voice of Sikkim

11 years after his escape, Karmapa remains as controversial

2011-01-29T20:16:00.000-08:00

His flight to freedom from a monastery near Lhasa, the capital of Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) in China, was as mysterious as controversial. The Indian government has banned him from going to the Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim. And now, the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, has landed in another controversy with currency worth nearly Rs.70 million (over $1.5 million) being recovered from his abode.

With the Himachal Pradesh Police recovering nearly Rs.70 million in foreign and Indian currency from the Gyuto Tantric University and Monastery premises near the Army's Yol Cantt., 10 km from here, in the past two days, the Karmapa and his office will have a lot of explaining to do to central government agencies and the police.

Though the Karmapa has been accorded the full status of a top-ranking Tibetan monk and is only considered next to the Dalai Lama in matters of security and official recognition, the controversy of his being a Chinese agent, sent deliberately to India by China, has never been settled.

The recovery of nearly 1.1 million Chinese Yuan (worth nearly Rs.7 million) in "neatly packed bundles" from his monastery along with huge amounts of other foreign currency, has raised suspicion among security agencies and the state police that he and his office could still be dealing with the Chinese.
"Such neatly packed bundles of Chinese Yuan currency could not be given by devotees visiting him who make only small offerings to him. This money could have come from somewhere else. Moreover, how many Chinese visit him anyway?" a police official, investigating the matter, told IANS.

The Karmapa, who turns 26 this year, had mysteriously escaped into India through the Nepal route with a few close aides from the Tsurphu monastery near Lhasa. He 'secretly' left the monastery, 30 km from Lhasa, Dec 28, 1999 and arrived here Jan 5, 2000.

"After months of careful planning, on December 28, the fourteen-year-old Karmapa pretended to enter into a solitary retreat, instead donned civilian garb, and slipped out a window. Leaving Tsurphu Monastery with a handful of attendants, he began a daring journey by car, foot, horseback, helicopter, train and taxi, a heroic journey which was to become the stuff of headlines throughout the world," the Karmapa's official website, www.kagyuoffice.org states.

"On January 5, 2000 he arrived, to the great surprise and overwhelming joy of the world, in Dharamsala, where he was met by His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama. He received refugee status from the government of India in 2001," it added.

His arrival was formally announced to the world by the Tibetan government-in-exile, which has its headquarters here, April 27, 2000 - over 100 days after he had arrived.

"The decision to leave my homeland, monastery, monks, parents, family, and the Tibetan people was entirely my own -- no one told me to go and no one asked me to come. I left my country to impart the Buddha's teachings in general and, in particular, to receive the excellent empowerments, transmissions, and instructions of my own Karma Kagyu tradition," he said in a statement released here April 27, 2000.

Karmapa means 'the embodiment of all the activities of the Buddhas'.

In an exclusive interview to IANS April 2009 at his temporary abode at the foothills of the snow-covered Dhauladhar Himalayan range, the Karmapa had said: "If you ask about going back, the answer is yes. Everyone has the right to go back to his own country. We are struggling for that opportunity (to go back). One day, this wish will come true."
An important institution in the Tibetan religious set-up, the Karmapa Lama is the spiritual head of the Karma Kagyu sect, one of the four sects of Tibetan Buddhism and one of the richest.

In the Tibetan religious hierarchy, he is considered the third most important Tibetan religious head after the institutions of the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama.

Both the Dalai Lama and the Chinese government have recognized Ogyen Trinley Dorje as the Karmapa. This is significant because both sides have named their own candidates as reincarnation of the Panchen Lama, the second highest Tibetan religious leader after the Dalai Lama.

However, there has been a controversy over the Karmapa. Another Tibetan religious leader, Trinlay Thaye Dorje, also claims to be the 17th Karmapa. He resides in India. But his claim is not recognized by the Dalai Lama.

The headquarters of the Kagyu sect or the Karmapa is in the Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim, set up by the 16th Karmapa.

The government of India has banned the entry of the 17th Karmapa (Ogyen Trinley Dorje) to the monastery.
His movement in India and abroad has to be cleared by central and state agencies and the Dalai Lama's office. Though he was allowed to travel to the US in 2008, he was refused permission for another visit last year.

Source: IANS

Mamata gifts new projects to north Bengal

2011-01-29T20:07:00.000-08:00

"Railways have invested more funds in the six districts than the State has done for development of north Bengal"

With the West Bengal Assembly election drawing near, Railway Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee gifted a handful of new trains and several new projects to the six districts in north Bengal on Saturday.

She also laid the foundation for the new rail line from Jogbani in India to Biratnagar in Nepal. The project is part of an agreement the Ministry of External Affairs signed with the Nepal government for increasing bilateral trade.

Addressing two back-to-back functions in Cooch Behar and Darjeeling districts, Ms. Banerjee said the Railways had invested more funds in the six districts than the State government had done for the development of north Bengal, and the funds allotted to MPs and MLAs of the Left Front combined.

Criticising the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Front government for allegedly being “apathetic to… bringing about development in the region for the past 35 years,” she wondered how certain CPI(M) leaders could blame the Railway Ministry for not keeping promises. “The CPI(M) has always played divisive politics in the region and created rifts among people in the hills and plains that gave rise to forces like the Kamtapur Liberation Organisation, and activists of greater Cooch Behar…I will appeal to the people in the region not to trust the CPI(M) as the word ‘trust' does not exist in its vocabulary,” she said at Siliguri in Darjeeling district.

Referring to the allegations that she was trying to politicise the Railways, and none of the projects she announced took off for want of funds, Ms. Banerjee charged the CPI(M) leaders with spreading such rumours out of “jealousy” after seeing her set up several railway factories without “killing people or wielding guns,” even as their “solo endeavour of setting up an industry at Singur failed.”

“Who had stopped the CPI(M) from giving new trains to north Bengal or even West Bengal during the five long years it was in the UPA-I government? Even projects started during my last tenure as Railway Minister 10 years ago remain unfinished,” Ms. Banerjee said. The Trinamool Congress, she said, would show how “north Bengal can be transformed into Switzerland” if it came to power.

Saying that the proposed DMU coach factory to be set up at Sankrail in Howrah district would have to be shifted to either Haldia in Purbo Medinipur district or Andal in Bardhaman district in the face of the CPI(M)'s alleged politically motivated objection, she accused the CPI(M) of trying to derail the Rangpo-Sevoke-Gangtok railway project too.

Source: The Hindu

GJM suspends bandh till February 7

2011-01-27T20:25:00.000-08:00

Two days after the meeting between its representatives and Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram in New Delhi, the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) leadership that had earlier threatened a 15-day bandh in Darjeeling district from January 29, decided on Thursday to suspend its programme till February 7.

“We have suspended the third phase of the bandh that was to have been resumed [as part of its call for a 26-day bandh] on Saturday, but will continue with our plans for a padayatra to the Dooars”, GJM central committee leader Harka Bahadur Chettri told The Hindu over telephone from Kumani in the Kalimpong sub-division of Darjeeling district.

While the GJM leaders had, following their meeting with Mr. Chidambaram on January 25, expressed their satisfaction with the outcome of the talks, the decision to suspend and not withdraw its bandh call is being construed as a ploy to put pressure on the Centre to come up by the first week of February with a draft for the proposal of an interim arrangement to replace the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council.

Dr. Chettri, who was in the GJM delegation that met the Union Home Minister, had said shortly after, that his colleagues were hopeful that the draft of the proposal for the interim set-up would be ready for perusal by the first week of February. They had also been reportedly assured that it would not compromise their demand for a separate Gorkhaland State.

Future of stir discussed

The future of the GJM's agitation to put pressure on the Centre to clarify its position on the separate State issue was discussed at a meeting at Kumani of the party's central committee in the presence of GJM president Bimal Gurung. A report on the talks with Mr. Chidambaram was also placed at the meeting.

While the GJM leadership awaits the draft proposal for the interim arrangement, it chose to go ahead with its padayatra to Jaigaon in the Dooars, even if that means breaking through barricades set up by the police.

The Jalpaiguri district authorities had imposed prohibitory orders in certain areas of the Dooars to prevent the GJM leaders from walking into the region in view of the tense situation prevailing there following clashes in Jaigaon on January 16 between supporters of the GJM and those of regional outfits opposed to the Statehood demand.

Volunteers of the GJM will be going on a relay hunger-strike at places across Darjeeling district and parts of the Dooars during the days the bandh remains suspended, to maintain pressure on the Centre for a clarification of its stand on the Gorkhaland demand.

The Hindu

Discussions with Chidambaram on separate Gorkhaland state positive: Roshan Giri

2011-01-26T18:46:00.000-08:00

Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) General Secretary Roshan Giri has termed the discussions with Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram over the formation of a separate Gorkhaland state as fruitful.

Giri who led a delegation of his outfit said: "We had a detailed discussion on our demand with the Home Minister. The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and was very positive."

He further said the details of this meeting would be revealed after he returns to Darjeeling and holds deliberations with GJM President Bimal Gurung and other senior office bearers.

" We will divulge the details of this meeting after having deliberations with our President," he added.

Ashok Bhattacharya, Minister of Urban Development in West Bengal represented the state government in the tripartite parleys.

Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Darjeeling MP Jaswant Singh was also part of the delegation

Giri had announced on January 6 that a 25-day long shutdown would be enforced in Darjeeling.

According to Giri, the members of the Central Committee of GJMM would also hold a 'fast unto death' strike, slated to begin from February 16.

"The Central Government must clear its stance on the Gorkhaland issue. It has been our demand and is intrinsically linked with the people's aspirations. 99 percent of people in this region want a separate state.

The government must clarify its position on the matter. We do not have any option but to protest through democratic means. This is why, the region would be closed down and following this, our party leaders would fast unto death," said Giri.

A renewed demand for a separate Gorkhaland region, which would include Darjeeling and some contiguous areas of Jalpaiguri District, has created fresh turmoil over the past few months.

The four issues obstructing the interim authority are territorial jurisdiction, its authority to manage the regional tea gardens, the selection of its members and a description of the councils legislative powers.

At the fifth round of tripartite talks in New Delhi, the GJM had agreed to the constitution of an interim council by 2011 prior to the creation of a separate state.

The Gorkha population in West Bengal estimated to be around a million has been demanding a separate state. (ANI)

Set-up a forward step, PC tells Morcha New body only after Assembly elections

2011-01-26T18:44:00.000-08:00

P. Chidambaram today said the “interim set-up” mooted for Darjeeling would not affect the demand for Gorkhaland, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha has claimed.

“The Union home minister was of the opinion that the forward path towards statehood was the interim set-up…,” read a statement issued by Morcha general secretary Roshan Giri after a meeting with the Union home minister in New Delhi. Giri was part of a five-member delegation that held talks with Chidambaram.

The Morcha said it had also asked the home minister why an interim set-up should precede the final solution. “To this question the home minister maintained that he was in favour of the Gorkhas being in administrative control of the area where its population resides. He however maintained that this includes issues concerning territory which would take some time to reach a consensus and hence the interim set-up ladder was needed,” the statement reads.

Sources in the administration said an agreement on the interim set-up could be reached as early as February. However, the implementation of the set-up is likely to take place only after the Assembly elections.

This is largely because Bengal minister Asok Bhattacharya, who was also present at the talks, made it clear to Chidambaram that it was unlikely that the state government would be able to hold panchayat and civic elections in the Darjeeling hills before the Assembly polls. At an earlier meeting, the state, Centre and the Morcha had agreed to form the interim authority by proportional representation for which rural and municipal elections are a must.

Chidambaram, who agreed with Bhattacharya, made it clear that it would take at least another six-seven months — provided the Assembly polls are held in May — to form the interim authority.

“I mentioned that the state government is sincere to form the interim authority for hills but it should be done only after the party concerned (Morcha) proves its support base by obtaining people’s mandate through elections in panchayats or civic bodies. The success of a strike called by a party cannot be the parameter to gauge it’s support,” Bhattacharya, who was accompanied by home secretary G.D. Gautama, told The Telegraph over the phone from Delhi.

Chidambaram today first met the state government representatives after which he sat with the Morcha delegation. Darjeeling MP Jaswant Singh and the interlocutor for the tripartite talks, Lt Gen (retd) Vijay Madan, were also present at the meeting.

Bhattacharya claimed that Chidambaram “praised the sincerity” of chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee in resolving the Darjeeling issue.

“He also asked me to come up some suggestions. I requested him to ask the Morcha leaders to refrain from strikes and road blockades. We have also made it clear that the state is earnest to provide regional autonomy to Darjeeling hills but would not agree to separate statehood,” he said.

Chidambaram later informed Bhattacharya that his message had been passed to the Morcha.

“They said they would discuss the matter with their party president and get back to him,” Bhattacharya said.

Source: Telegraph

Gorkhaland issue: Chidambaram holds meeting with GJM

2011-01-26T18:42:00.000-08:00

Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Tuesday held a meeting with the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha on the demand for statehood to Gorkhaland and is understood to have deliberated on setting up of a regional authority for Gorkhas in Darjeeling.

“We had a detailed discussion on our demand with the Home Minister. The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and was very positive,” GJM general secretary Roshan Giri told reporters after an hour-long meeting.

Mr. Giri refused to divulge what transpired, but said the Central government should clear its stand on GJM’s demand.

Sources said the meeting deliberated on the possibility of setting up of the proposed Darjeeling Regional Authority comprising the districts of Darjeeling and adjoining areas but no decision has been taken.

However, it was not clear whether the interim authority would be set up before the West Bengal Assembly elections a few months away.

Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Darjeeling MP Jaswant Singh was part of the delegation.

During the last tripartite political level talks, key issues, including territorial jurisdiction, were sorted out.

The Central and West Bengal governments have earlier worked on the subjects and departments which are expected to be handed over to the interim authority.

Sources said both the Central and West Bengal governments favoured limiting the proposed authority to just the hill sub-divisions of Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong.

Since its inception in 2007, the GJM has been demanding a separate Gorkhaland State that includes the Siliguri sub-division of Darjeeling district in the plains and contiguous areas in neighbouring Jalpaiguri district.

Source: The Hindu

PC meets GJM leaders

2011-01-26T18:41:00.000-08:00

NEW DELHI: Amid indications that the proposed interim authority for Gorkhas may not be in place before the state assembly elections, GJM leaders on Tuesday met Union home minister P Chidambaram and are learnt to have pitched for setting up the regional authority at the earliest.

"We had a detailed discussion on our demand with the home minister. The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and was very positive," GJM general secretary Roshan Giri later said.

Giri refused to divulge what transpired, but said the Centre should clear its stand on his party's demand. BJP leader and Darjeeling MP Jaswant Singh was also part of the delegation.

Source: Indiatimes

Protection cell prop for GNLF comeback - Resistance groups for ‘social work’

2011-01-15T14:44:00.001-08:00

The GNLF has started forming village protection cells but emphasised that contrary to popular belief they had not been set up to challenge the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha’s lathi-wielding Gorkhaland Personnel.

Youths in the age group of 18-30 will be members of the VPCs, the GNLF said.

“The VPCs have been formed of conscious and educated youths to undertake social work in a given area. They will neither be trained nor lodged in camps as done by the GLP,” said Shivraj Thapa, spokesperson for the Darjeeling GNLF sub-divisional committee.

Observers said that the VPCs would give the much needed muscle power to the GNLF which is trying a comeback in the Darjeeling hills. The announcement on the village resistance groups comes at a time when Bimal Gurung’s party has called a 27-day strike in the hills in phases for Gorkhaland from January 12. With the Srikrishna panel suggesting bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh as one of its options for the Telangana region, the Morcha now feels the proposed interim set-up for Darjeeling is too modest a goal. The GNLF, however, is for Sixth Schedule status for the hills.

According to GNLF leader Thapa, several village development committees had been set up across Darjeeling and Kalimpong sub-divisions. “A chief will be in charge of 10 VDCs. The chief will also appoint 11 VPC members from each village who will directly report to him. These members will provide the chief with information on the village.”

Thapa claimed that 600 “conscious” youths from Darjeeling and Kurseong had already enrolled in the VPCs. “The motive is totally social and should not be misconstrued. Issues of trafficking of girls from villages will be looked into by these youths. The youths have to be Madhyamik qualified to be able to join the VPC,” said Thapa.

The Morcha’s GLP had been formed purportedly for crowd and traffic management during the party’s public meetings. Later, they were trained by ex-servicemen from the hills and tried to function as a parallel police force.

Even though the Morcha has withdrawn the GLP from the public domain in recent times, it accompanies party president Gurung to public meetings.

The Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxists (CPRM) had also unveiled its Swyam Sevak Bahini, which consisted of volunteers in red caps, during its May Day public meeting in Darjeeling last year. But during the next few months, the Bahini has not been spotted anywhere in the hills.

Unlike the Bahini and VPC members, the GLP volunteers are paid a monthly stipend of Rs 1,000-Rs 1,500 and have uniforms. In fact, have recently started cases against the GLP at Darjeeling, Mirik, Runglee-Rungliot and Kurseong police stations for wearing army fatigues, as one of its uniforms. Civilians are prohibited from wearing such fatigues under Section 140 of the IPC.

Rivals welcome fast

The ABGL and the CPRM have welcomed the Morcha decision to start an indefinite hunger strike from February 16 for Gorkhaland.

“We welcome the decision… but do not believe that general strikes will have any impact and will only inconvenience the general public,” said Naryan Chhetri, spokesperson for the ABGL.

The CPRM added that it would be “great” if Darjeeling MP Jaswant Singh, too, participated in the fast.

GJM bandh continues in Darjeeling

2011-01-15T14:40:00.000-08:00

Life continued to remain at a standstill in the Darjeeling hills of West Bengal on Friday as the 96-hour bandh called by the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) entered its third day.

The bandh call was given to put pressure on the Centre to clarify its stance on the GJM's demand for a Gorkhaland state to be carved out of the hills and certain areas contiguous to it. “There is no indication from the Centre as yet on its position regarding our demand for a separate State. Our programme [the bandh] will continue,” GJM senior leader Harka Bahadur Chettri told The Hindu over telephone from Darjeeling.

AIGL appeals to Chidambaram to accept Gorkhaland demand

2011-01-15T14:38:00.001-08:00

The All India Gorkha League (AIGL) on Sunday appealed to Union home minister P Chidambaram to accept the demand for Gorkhaland.

AGIL leaders plan to go to New Delhi in the first week of January to meet the Union home ministry officials to press for their demand of Gorkhaland, senior AIGL leader Laxman Pradhan.

Pradhan asked the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) not to accept the Gorkha Council as proposed by the Centre and West Bengal government. The Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) committed a blunder by accepting the Council and I would ask the GJM not to commit the same mistake.

Cases against GLP for wearing Army fatigues

2011-01-15T14:37:00.001-08:00

Gorkhaland Personnel, the vigilante wing and sometime moral police of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, is facing police action for donning the fatigues meant exclusively for the armed forces.

According to Kunal Agarwal, the Darjeeling Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), cases have already been lodged at Darjeeling, Kurseong, Mirik and Runglee Rungliot police stations on Wednesday. "We will be executing the warrant order of the court tonight," he said, when asked about the police action.

Formed in 2008, GLP as Gorkhaland Personnel is popularly known has faced severe criticism time and again for its policing activities, which, people felt, are ways of implementing GJM's strongarm tactics.

On January 1, local residents clashed with GLP at Gorubathan in Kalimpong after alleged excesses by the latter. One GLP cadre was seriously injured.

Local resentment against GJM reached a peak when the force was deployed as moral police on Chowrasta, the popular promenade in Darjeeling. GLP would round up those caught smoking or in a drunken state. They were also deployed along NH-31A to check vehicles carrying alcohol from Sikkim.

Though the state government has maintained a policy of no confrontation as far as GJM activities are concerned, there was a crackdown on GLP last year, when they were forced to vacate government and DGHC guest houses it had been occupying for months. The latest crackdown is being seen as additional pressure on a beleaguered GJM, which has seen a downslide of support in the Hills ever since the public murder of ABGL chief Madan Tamang in May 2010.

Though GLP cadres usually wear tracksuits, those guarding GJM chief Bimal Gurung during public meetings are seen in the camouflage fatigues of the Army. GJM claims that the GLP is a voluntary unit that is given physical training in camps in Phagu tea garden in Gorubathan and in Jamune and Roy Villa in Darjeeling.

Col Ramesh Allay, president of Bharatiya Gorkha Bhootpurva Sainik Morcha and GLP head, said, "We haven't broken any law. We are involved social work. We had passed an order asking GLP to not wear army fatigues. It could be that some of our men have been wearing fatigues without our knowledge. Will check on that."

The ASP said that cases against GLP had been started last year itself and that the latest development was not a sudden measure as the Kurseong court had also issued warrants against them.

Darjeeling hills fear counter-bandh

2011-01-15T14:34:00.000-08:00

Darjeeling/Siliguri (West Bengal), Jan 15 (IBNS) Life continued to affect in the hills of Darjeeling for fourth day on Saturday after Gorkha Janmukti Morcha's first phase of the 27-day shutdown ends at sun down with people looking at an opportunity to buy essentials before next phase begins on Jan 18.

Alarmed by a threat of a counter bandh in the plains, the GJM demanding separate statehood by dividing West Bengal has requested the Centre to ban the Bangla O Bangla Bhasha Banchao Committee for attempting to impose an “economic blockade” on the hills.

The BOBBBC, a new outfit launched to protest any move to divide Bengal, called a 48-hour bandh in the plains of Siliguri from Jan 16 to counter the hills bandh.

Inspector-general of police (north Bengal) Ranvir Kumar said he had asked his officers at Siliguri to have discussion with BOBBBC and refrain from any bandh in the plains.

Siliguri is the only lifeline for the landlocked hills of Darjeeling and neighbouring Sikkim state as all rations and essentials are imported from the plains about, 80 kms south of Darjeeling town.

Sikkim's lifeline 31A, passes through Kalimpong sub-division, however kept open following directive by the Supreme Court. The para-military forces have been guarding the 120 kms roads connecting between Siliguri and Gangtok.

The BOBBBC strategists say the GJM's "tactical" 27-day phase-wise bandh in the hills would be frustrated once they (BOBBBC) shut the plains during intervals.

The Siliguri-based BOBBBC called 48-hour general strike as an “economic blockade” on Jan 16 and 17, the days when the GJM relaxes its ongoing 27-day general strike.

Meanwhile, rations in the households were diminishing fast, especially fuel like kerosene, diesel, petrol and cooking gas owing to massive use to beat the freezing cold.

There is a growing resentments among the reseidents, but no body dares to come out openly in the fear of being singled out by the GJM supporters, the opposition alleges.

GJM president Bimal Gurung said they might continue with the bandh if the plains areas shut on Jan 16 and 17. Accroding to GJM the bandh would start again from Jan 18 for eight days.

The political observers said the Centre and state must intervene to stop the bandh or else the whole system of life will collapse.

The Darjeeling administration urged all political parties including the GJM to refrain from calling bandh as life of millions of innocent is affected in the region.

West Bengal Additional Director-General of Police (Law and Order) S.K. Purakayastha said in Kolkata that the state has requested the Union Home ministry to dispatch six companies of central forces.

Chamling using 371 F as a shield in CBI inquiry: SNPP

2011-01-15T14:33:00.000-08:00

Gangtok: Sikkim National Peoples Party (SNPP) today alleged the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) for using the special provision act, 371 F as a shield in Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry upon state chief minister Pawan Kumar Chamling and others.
Speaking to news men here today, SNPP president Biraj Adhikari stated that Chamling and his men are avoiding the CBI inquiry applying the special powers provided by 371 F which in turn could have been implemented at the time when numerous central government Acts entered Sikkim like as Direct Income Tax Act.
“Since long, SNPP has been maintaining that 371 F could be used for the betterment of state people. But the same is being applied now, when Chamling has felt a necessity of it from abstaining CBI inquiry of his own”, he underlined.
Adhikari further teached that the state in recent years is flooded with numerous central government Acts which in turn diluted the 371 F to a larger extent.
Claiming the fact that the CAG reports have been indexing that Sikkim is facing rampant corruption from past 16 years, he stressed the necessity of CBI inquiry over Chamling and other SDF party men at the earliest.
“State opposition parties labeled allegations could be a fabricated one but not the CAG reports. If central government act unmoved in Chamling’s CBI inquiry, it will be certain that central government has no role in Sikkim state”, he mentioned stating that the delay in CBI inquiry could lead towards decreasing of faith of state people towards the central government.
Speaking in same line, SNPP Treasurer Diley Namgyal Barfunga said that Chamling and his party men should let the probe agency investigate in order to come up with clean hands.
“SDF claims a democratic and clean government in Sikkim. If the ruling party words are to be believed then what is the fear from CBI invading state for inquiry”, he questioned.
Censuring the Loksabha MP, PD Rai statements that Bhandari along with state opposition parties are playing a proxy war against SDF party and chief minister Chamling through filing politically motivated cases and FIR, Barfunga said that the opposition parties are acting in democratic manner with the filing of cases and FIR are a democratic instrument, thus the statements of Rai makes no sense at all.
Commenting on the recently passed Lokayukta bill and announced Patra commission, Barfunga cleared his party stand in it stating that the move was made only after the FIR of disproportionate assets against SDF men was made and CBI started investigating upon it, SNPP smells a vested interest of Chamling on its aforesaid introductions thus it condemns the same.
“Central government should make sure that democracy is established in Sikkim. If the guarantee is denied then the absolute merger of Sikkim with India comes under cloud”, he supposed.
-Haal Kahabar

GLP's misbehaviour leads to clash between Public and GLP

2011-01-02T22:32:00.000-08:00

Kalimpong, Jan. 2: An altercation between a few members of Gorkhaland Personnel and residents of a village near Gorubathan descended into a full-fledged clash in which the camp of the voluntary force was ransacked and one persons was injured last night.

The violence was the result of the pent-up anger of the people at Upper Fagu, who said the GLP members were frequently misbehaving with the villagers and creating problems in the area.

The GLP is the voluntary force raised by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha in 2008 for “crowd control”. Later, the party had tried to make the squad function like a parallel police force, checking cars and seizing “illegal liquor” in the Darjeeling hills”.

According to sources, the clash took place after a group of GLP members came to the local market around 6pm and started misbehaving with shopkeepers and bystanders. When some locals protested, the volunteers beat up Munna Gurung, 38, and Dominique Thapa, 29.

As the word of the assault spread, the village youths decided to retaliate. Armed with sticks, they swooped on the camp in a tea garden, hurling stones at the tents for the volunteers and smashing the sentry gate. “This resulted in a full-fledged fight between the locals and the GLP boys. The villagers ransacked about 20 temporary tin sheds the GLP had constructed on the tea estate,” said a resident.

A vehicle belonging to the squad was also smashed by the attackers. A GLP volunteer, Pranay Gurung, suffered injuries on the head and was admitted to a hospital in Siliguri.

The GLP sought to downplay the incident. “One of our boys was intoxicated and this led to some problems. There is nothing more to it,” said Ramesh Allay, the GLP president, on phone from Gorubathan, 70km from here.

Munna and Dominique were released after being administered first aid at the primary health centre in Gorubathan, the headquarters of Kalimpong block III.

A villager said ever since the camp had been set up at Upper Fagu two years ago, there had been regular brawls between the volunteers and the local people. “The volunteers would often get drunk and use abusive language against us. People have at last decided to teach them a lesson,” he said.

Confirming the attack on the camp, Darjeeling police chief D.P. Singh said no complaint had been lodged with the law enforcers by either of the parties. “If we don’t receive a complaint, we will start a case on our own because it is a serious matter. The fight broke out as, we believe, both the sides were highly-strung and some of them were intoxicated,” he told The Telegraph over the phone.

Morcha vice-president Kalyan Dewan and the party’s Kalimpong unit secretary Suva Pradhan rushed to Gorubathan today, along with Allay, to defuse the situation. The Upper Fagu camp of the GLP has been running for two-and-half years. Allay said there were about 300 personnel, all boys, in the camp at the moment.

The police, however, said there should be about 75 GLP youths in the camp right now, but the figure kept changing.

Source: The Telegraph

Gorkha deal may be sealed soon

2010-09-05T21:26:00.000-07:00

A crucial tripartite meeting at the home ministry on Tuesday could practically seal a deal between West Bengal, the Centre and GJM, the outfit spearheading the agitation in the hill districts of Darjeeling. The three sides have been in negotiations over the past one year to work out the form,
structure and powers of the Gorkhaland Regional Authority (GRA) to be constituted as an interim arrangement.

Last year, the GJM agreed in principle to an interim arrangement since talks on statehood would take time. The GJM also recognised difficulties in arriving at a permanent resolution as the state was heading for assembly elections next year.

Sources said the government expected the details of the interim authority — expected to be have features of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council — to be finalised at Tuesday's official-level talks.

Once an agreement is reached, one more round of political level talks would be held to formally clear the deal.

"There is broad consensus on most points… the remaining would be sorted out at Tuesday's meeting," said a source.

Among the points expected to be finalised are the number of members that GRA should have. The GJM wants 56 members since the now-defunct Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council had 42 members and not 20 members as proposed by the government.

While the GJM and the Centre agree that GJM leaders be nominated to the body, the West Bengal government wants membership to be decided on the basis of proportional votes polled in Gram Panchayat and Panchayat Samiti elections.

Sources said GJM was also expected to be pragmatic about difficulties in expanding the territorial jurisdiction of the interim GRA.

The meeting will also decide if the GRA should have a two-year tenure beginning this year-end as proposed earlier or accept the state government's suggestion of a five-year term.

Source: Hindustan Times

DGHC job status poser for govt

2010-09-05T21:25:00.000-07:00

Darjeeling, Sept. 5: The Janmukti Asthahi Karmachari Sangathan has started agitating in front of DGHC offices since Saturday, seeking clarification from the state government on what the status of the casual employees would be once the interim set-up was put in place.

The agitation underlines the fact that many issues have to be thrashed out before the new administrative arrangement is made workable.

Machendra Subba, the president of the JAKS, an affiliate of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, said: “Talks (on the interim set-up for the hills) are progressing well and it is only a matter of time before the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council Act, 1988, is repealed. We want a clarification from the government on the status of jobs before the interim set-up is put in place.”

The JAKS, a union of DGHC causal employees, has been agitating for the regularisation of the jobs of 6,321 workers since the Morcha was formed on October 7, 2007.

The government had assured the JAKS at least twice last year that the regularisation would begin soon, but said frequent closure of administrative offices by the Morcha was delaying the process.

Source: The Telegraph