Greater Nepal

Issues upon Darjeeling and a plot to Dissect West Bengal. Part - I

My birthplace is siliguri, underneath darjeeling district of west bengal and my father and forefather’s place of birth became at at darjeeling. my father completed his research at darjeeling and afterward settled at siliguri. it's miles possibly recognised to all of us that darjeeling is known to be the “queen of the hills” all over the global, by means of virtue of her diverse nature of seasonal splendor and hence she attracts plenty of travelers now not most effective from india but additionally from overseas. however the nearby human beings of darjeeling have to conflict difficult day by day for his or her living towards the odds of nature however even then, their sober, friendly and helping mindset is clearly reward worth.These local people suffer from the odds of nature, adverse condition of the hills disturbs the communication, inadequate supply of water for drinking and performing day to day activities, inadequate supply of medicine and want of Good doctors and Hospitals. The Rock specialists and Geologists in India classify the hills of Darjeeling as Crystalline Zone. Thus in these crystalline zone, construction of roads require intense nature of specialized technical design and construction phenomena like application of geo-synthetics, stabilization of the major shear planes and slip zones etc. Furthermore in spite of having adequate rains in these hills, construction water shed area or reservoir for supply of water also requires specialized techniques. These techniques are to be governed by utmost supervision, specialized design, and enormous amount of fund and each of these construction must be treated as a separate project supported with a Detailed project Report (DPR). As discussed earlier about the behavior of the local people of the Hills, their simple attitude was collectively exploited by some lumpen from the year 1975 onwards. They started to demand for a separate Gorkha Land under the leadership of Subhash Ghising (an ex-service man of the Gurkha rifles) and continued agitation in the Hills in various non-democratic forms. They broke the Glass House, set in fire places of Historical importance, condemned and attacked Govt Officials, used weapons, bombs and grenades (The sources of these weapons is again questionable as is questionable presently in Purulia, Nandigram etc.) and unlimited strikes often and on with a sole aim to de-activate the Govt. machinery .Their again main target of attack was CPI(M) party members/supporters and many CPI(M) party members were murdered and party offices were burned. Their so formed organization named as GNLF (Gorkha national liberation front) became so much destructive and non-democratic in their movement that State Govt. after due counseling with the then Congress (I) ruled Central Govt. started to encounter their movement through Administration and Police because in the mean time all means of mutual discussions were in vain. The GNLF did not contest any elections themselves, used communal abusive languages, and barred forcefully local people of the hills to boycott polls. However the State Govt. was ultimately in a position to control these anarchy but again in the year 1989, during the Lok Sabha elections, GNLF was suddenly supported by Congress (I) & they defeated the existing MP of CPI (M) from the Darjeeling lok sabha seat.. However, a so-called Autonomous Hill Council (DGHC-Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council) vested with more powers for the Development of the Hills was formed on 26th August 1988. On the same day, Shri Jyoti Basu, Chief Minister of West Bengal and Subhash Ghishing representing Hill Council signed the agreement. Shri Buta Singh, C G Somaiah, Rabin Sengupta was present in the said ceremony. Shri Nirmal Basu, Kanai Bhaumik, Jatin Chakravorty, Kiranmoy Nanda, Harkishen Singh Surjeet, Abdus Sattar and Shri Budhdhadeb Bhattacharya were present there as witnesses. Presently the people and the Lumpen organizations demanding for separate state of Gorkhaland and various political parties/organizations with media playing foul in the back end perhaps are not aware of the contents of that agreement. It was clearly mentioned in the agreement that for the national interest and after paying heed to the request of the Prime Minister, GNLF thus drops the idea and subsequent demand of a separate state of Gorkhaland (Unquoted). The GNLF thus agrees to the proposal of formation of an autonomous Hill council under the rules and guidelines of the State Government for the social, economic, educational and cultural development of the residents of the hills (not exclusively nepalis)(unquoted). The salient features in the agreement are appended hereunder for ready reference. 1) The Council will be called-----“Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council” 2) Three sub-divisions in the District of Darjeeling i.e. Darjeeling, Kurseoung and Kalimpong will be included in the jurisdiction of this council. Furthermore the mouzas that will be included in the said council are Lohagarh T.E, Lohagarh Forest, Panighata, Rang mohan, Barachenga, Chota Adalpur, Pahar, Suknaban, Sukna—Part 1, Shandapati Ban-1, Mahanadi Ban, Champasari Ban and Salbari Chat part – 2. These mouzas are all under Siliguri Sub-division. Furthermore it is also detailed in the said agreement that after the formation of the Council, the state government shall provide the council with land either in lease or by some other means as deemed fit, for the administrative ease and development of the council, within the area under Siliguri Sub-division (in the area adjoining Darjeeling more). 3) The executive powers vested upon the council shall be guided by the rules of the Central and State government. Excluding protected wildlife areas or for any other reasons excluding agriculture, cattle grazing, building establishments, for acquiring land for the interest of the commons, the council shall have the right to use, acquire or evacuate any land for the following purposes…I) for forestation ii) for using any source of water and or canals for agricultural benefits iii) agriculture iv) Public health, dispensary, hospitals and public health v) tourism vi) education/technical education vii) Public works---planning and development. In addition to that looking after the development including supervision of other roads excluding any national and state highways. 4) Organizing and regulating of market which are not controlled and regulated by any Panchayet bodies, Municipalities. 5) Education including Primary, Secondary and Higher Secondary. 6) Power vested by the Government departments i.r.o Land and buildings, small-scale industries. 7) Controlling, regulating and maneuvering the different activities of Panchayet bodies, municipalities. The total number of members in the council will be 42 out of which 28 numbers will be elected and the State Government will nominate the balance members. An executive body is to be formed within these council members. The Chairman and the Vice-Chairman of the general council will be automatically members of the executive council and the Chairman of the Executive council will be the Chief Executive Councilor. He shall have the dignity of a state minister. The election of the Hill council is to be completed by 15th December’1988. The State Government agreed to review different legal actions/suits lodged against the members of the GNLF involved in different rioting and other illegal activities in their previous movement, excluding murder. The accused persons except convicted of murder will be released after the State Government withdraws all the legal suits. The proceedings for these legal reviews are to be started within 15 days from the date of agreement of Hill council. The actions against Government employees, involved in rioting. 1) The State Government shall withdraw all sorts of legal suits against those government employees charged for different illegal/anti-government activities during movement.(except murder). 2) The GNLF shall issue a statement to its members to submit all the un-authorized weapons possessed and used by them, to submit to the District administration within a stipulated time for which no legal actions will be initiated against them. 3) The GNLF shall withdraw all its movements from the hills and impart active co-operation to the Government for maintaining peace and normalcy in the hills. Shri Jyoti Basu, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Government of West Bengal, Shri R N Sengupta, Chief Secretary, GNLF supreme, Shri Subhash Ghising and Shri C G Somaiah, Chief Secretary of the Government of India signed the agreement. Almost 20 yrs have passed from then with out any significant development in the hills. The DGHC councilors rampantly devoured the huge funds allotted for the development and as usually, people of the hills suffered. However in the recent past i.e, from the year 2007, we came to know of the recent formation of a fragmentation named Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) from the GNLF. We came to know that like previous demand of GNLF, the GJM were up for their separate Gorkhaland. Similarly like their predecessors, their form of movement was the same. Attacking and destructing, Hooliganism in the name of their so Called “Gandhian Movement”. The left front Govt. of West Bengal strongly object to their demand but however is still on an effort to summon and organize series of discussions with the members of GJM and Central Government. But they were very much adamant in their attitude to stick on to their demand of a separate Gorkhaland. They, like the previous 80’s, are calling for indefinite strikes in the hills and started to persecute only the CPI (M) party members/supporters. The CPI (M) party members are forced to surrender or are driven out from the hills. In this context, the dual character of Congress was again envisaged. The Prodesh Congress Sabhapati of West Bengal stated that he did not support the division of the State but at the same time the Congress MP from the hills supports the demand of Gorkhaland. However the State Govt. like before is taking a good gesture and is eager for all political meeting. The State Govt. however is still insisting for granting more powers to the people of hills through the Central Govt. but GJM was again equally adamant in their demands. The Press and the media for some embedded obvious reasons started to take the advantage of the situation. As usual they made responsible the CPI (M) for this anarchy. The TV Channels convened opinion polls with the so-called intellectuals of Kolkata (Those who visit the hills once in a year for few days) and they started the same juggling with Journalism. Some of them declared that a separate Gorkhaland should be made. Some of the TV Channel like Kolkata TV went straight up to Darjeeling and organized an opinion poll there with the local people of Darjeeling and the Leaders of GJM. The Bengali daily Anandabazar Patrika, captioned in their editorial page on the issue of 2nd July, 2008, that Gorkhaland was the demand of CPI (M) party secretary Shri Ratan Lal Brahmin at the very beginning of Indian Independence (1947) and now that they are diverting away from the same. This may be noted that these sorts of Statement, which does not reveal the full truth, is not only a crime but also politically motivated. Regarding this claim of Anandabazar Patrika, I want to bring in light certain points, because the political intentions of Anandabazar Patrika must be revealed. 1) It was 6th April, 1947, prior to the Indian Independence, (when there were no defined District Committee of the Communist Party in Darjeeling and the organizational activities there were maneuvered by Comrade Sushil Chatterjee who later on brought in the movement, Comrade Ratanlal Brahmin for his dire struggle for the commons and the poor people in the hills) Ganesh Lal Subba was a local Secretary of the party at Darjeeling. It was his proposal of a separate Gorkhastan and not the party’s proposal. The said proposal was never vetted by any of the local, zonal, District or state committee of the party. Shri Ganesh Lal Subba was later on expelled from the party. Similarly the party had expelled later MP Daoa Lama and R B Rai for their demand of a separate State. Anandabazar Patrika must study more prior to combating CPI (M). 2) In the Party’s Kolkata Congress in the year 1951, it was decided that a demand will be raised for autonomy for the hilly areas of Darjeeling and it was unanimously accepted. Later on in the year 1972, during 9th Party Congress at Madurai, the scientific justifications of creation local autonomous bodies were duly emphasized. 3) In the year 1956, Darjeeling District Committee of the Party placed the demand of Autonomous administration to the State Govt. The copy of the same was placed to the Prime Minister, President and all Political Parties. 4) In the year 1955, Shri Jyoti Basu placed the demand of the Constitutional rights of the Nepali language, autonomy in Darjeeling and the rights and claims of the Tea workers and the party fought for these demands till 1977 when CPI(M) MLA , Shri Biren Bose raised the demand. Till as on date the party comrades in the hills e.g. Com S.P. Lepcha and others are fighting for more autonomy in the hills but they are now persecuted. 5) The historical movement for claims and rights of the Tea workers started in the year 1955 under the leadership of Com. Ratan Lal Brahmin. On 25th June, 1955, the Police opened fire over the labourers in the movement and many including children and women died. 6) Finally I am hereby quoting a deputation of the Communist Party against the British Empire in India “The Communist Party of India vehemently opposes the sinister British Imperialistic plot of excluding the district of Darjeeling from the rest of India and its constitution into a separate chief Commissioner’s Province as has been put forward by the Hillmen’s Association in its memorial to Lord Pethick Lawrence, Secretary of State of India, in December 1946. This Association (Hillmen’s Association) represents none but the local agents of the British Imperialism. The Communist Party of India is also opposed to any such plans that might be put forward by the local agents of British Imperialism in a modified form. It has reason to apprehend that the British Imperialists are hatching a plot to place the district of Darjeeling with other tribal peoples of Assam and Dooars in an altogether new Province to be called the North Eastern Himalayan Hill Province.” The examples of the so-called Democratic movement, of Shri Bimal Gurung, the GJM supremo, in the hills. (But before the Press and media he says that it is the activity of his supporters whenever they are moved emotionally.) 1) Forceful strikes in the hills. 2) Setting in fire CPI (M) party offices. 3) Barring all other opposition parties from carrying out any political activities in the hills. 4) Barring Shri Ashoke Bhattacharya, State Minister from entering Mirik, his own constituency. 5) Threatening CPI (M) Party members (Not other Parties exclusively) and supporters to leave hills if they did not surrender. 6) Closing down educational institutions and forcing students to participate in the rallies and hunger strikes. 7) Stopping the project works/activities related to development e.g. roads, hydel projects etc. 8) Preventing consumers to deposit electricity bills and telephone bills for over a year. 9) Forcing the vehicle owners to fix vehicle number plate captioned GL in their vehicles in place of WB. 10) Closing down the activities in the tea gardens, and taking capturing all the trade union offices thus putting an end to the daily living, demands and movements of the tea workers. 11) Disconnecting power lines and water supply lines of the houses of the members/supporters of CPIM and alienating them from the society through social boycott. And many more…….. As gathered from the historical details, Darjeeling was never the originally inhabited by the Nepalese. It must be clearly understood that gurkhas never constitute a separate entity. However some lepchas originally inhabited the district of Darjeeling. In addition to them, some other local tribal groups along with Bhutanis, who can never be called as gurkhas, also inhabited this district. The independent state of Sikkim comparatively feeble in defense was often and on attacked by Nepal and Bhutan and eventually, the British East India Company, on request from the Govt. of Sikkim, came to their aid. Nepal and Bhutan stopped invading Sikkim and as a token of gratitude, the King of Sikkim handed over the existing sub-divisions of Kurseoung, Darjeeling, Kalimpong and the desolate Siliguri to the British people. In the year 1907, Siliguri came into existence totally after including some areas of Jalpaiguri. As per documents gathered from the writings of Professor Haren Ghosh, Kalimpong was initially under the control of Bhutan. No area of this district was under the control of Nepal. The British East India Company acquired Darjeeling in return of Rupees three thousand annually and made this place a center of medical care for the sick and injured defense personnel. As per agreement had with the Sikkim Government in the year 1835, the British reframed Darjeeling, Kurseoung and kalimpong into a new society. They build up Security barracks at Jolapahar, Lebong and also several educational institutions and Hospitals. The cultivation of tea started there in the year 1865 from Mokaibari and accordingly many labors were required for the said cultivation. Hence thousands of Labors came here from Nepal for earning their daily living. Most of them joined the British army. The Gurkha rifles were so formed. The toy train was commissioned in the year 1880. Later many peoples from the various parts of India came here for various reasons e.g., Service, business, trading etc and many of them settled here. The Nepalese in general are very much honest, sincere, simple, trustworthy and hardworking. The importance of Siliguri and the district of Darjeeling as a whole have increased manifold for geographical and economic reasons. Many tourists from various parts of India and abroad visit the hills for its scenic beauty and the tourism industry is thus equally benefited. In addition to Bengalis and Nepalese, Marwaris, Beharis, Sikh etc live here in harmony. From my experience, I gather that the common people (mainly Nepalese) in the hills are least bothered in formation of the previous Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) or Gorkhaland because they say that the development in the hills have come to a standstill during these period of agitation from the year 1980. The concentration of power and might among a fistful have made the life of the poor much more troublesome and painful. They simply want job for which they seek Industries to be here. They are in want safe drinking water/supply water, improved communication facilities, drainage facilities, educational facilities and medical institutions and doctors. From Parijat Bhattacharya, Ghum, Darjeeling Dated 20/12/2008. Part 2 “Greater Nepal and Gorkhaland Movement----Strings attached???”
Many of us might have thought that after CPN (Mao) jointly came to power in Nepal, they would rather take efforts to strengthen ties with China and would restrain their international relations with India and in such a situation India will be antagonized against Nepal but nothing of that sort happened rather Prachand after the Mao uprising had come to Delhi and had progressive and peaceful talks. However some countries or powers are very keen and pro-active in making international relations restrained between these two countries. As US imperialism has a very bad habit in involving itself into the internal relations of different countries, accordingly they are looking for various pretexts in interfering within the internal affairs of Nepal with an obvious purpose to extend their hegemony. They only have a thus dire objective to remove the Maobadis out of the State Power and accordingly they are thus hatching various plots. They, I mean these Yankees are thus very reluctant in admitting the hierarchy of the Maobadis as they are very well aware of the fact that the geographical position of Nepal has a strategic importance between India and China. In view its geographical, socio-economical aspects and culture, the state of Nepal can be broadly divided into four major areas or portions. 1) Southern side, the area adjoining the Indian border, the terai area that is more or less plain in nature and fertile. The said area may be termed ar the food basket or food source of Nepal. 2) North to the said area lies the Siwaliks constituting small, medium hilly ranges with a maximum height of 1500 meters and Mahabharat range with mountain ranges with a height range from 1500 meters to 3000 meters. This area is pretty populated with a moderate population density. 3) Valley area where the Capital Katmandu lies. It is thickly populated and is very much fertile having also various industrial units. 4) Fourth, the Himalayan ranges constituting Everest, Khanchendzongha etc. This terai area described under SL (3) hence attracts lot of international attention not only for economic indexes but also for politics. This area hence bears lot of relevance in respect of the state economy and politics. Lot of people resides here and most of them are of Indian origin. This Terai area constituting Katmandu bears lot of relevance in the Political and Economical sphere of Nepal (Industry based). The Maoist politics bears lesser relevance here and has lesser influence in this area but here exists some terai based provincial parties who are dominant in this area. These peoples believe to segregate this Terai area from Nepal and they are known to be “Madhesis”. The general elections in Nepal could only be conducted through mutual discussion and negotiation with these Madhesis as they bear lot of relevance in the Political scenario of Nepal. The President was elected from the leaders of these Madhesis. The Nepal government is thus ruling this state of Nepal through series of negotiations with these Madhesis on various national and International issues. The 19th Party Congress of the CPIM thus analyses this situation at Nepal and describes the situation in Nepal accordingly. The CPIM analysis thus says that various militant groups active within these Madhesis are demanding to represent and interfere in the various administrative machineries and democratic platforms of the Government, on a sole objective to create anarchy and obstruct democracy. They are spreading various forms of communal sentiments and with reactionary ideas with an objective to divide the masses through various linguistic and cultural barriers. However there are many anti-Indian forces in Nepal who are very much active for a long time and these forces want that the relation between India and Nepal get hostile. These people had thus demanded through agitation for restoring the Greater Nepal in front of the Indian embassy at Kathmandu on 26th of January’2009. As per treaty with the British Government and Nepal in the year 1816, the areas of Sikkim, present Uttaranchal, Siliguri and Darjeeling of West Bengal and Himachal Pradesh were taken over by the British Government. After Independence, a fresh treaty was signed between the Government of India and Nepal. Now these communal and Anti-Indian forces are demanding to the Government of India and Nepal for restoring these areas handed over 200 yrs ago to Nepal and if the said demand is not paid any heed then they would resort to violent agitations much more intense than that in Kashmir. As per the versions of one of their leaders……”I have visited these areas and found that Nepalese of Indian origin as well as Nepalese forced to seek menial jobs in India support the demand”. A front named UNNF (United Nepal National Front) are demanding for Greater Nepal constituting these anti-Indian forces in Nepal and they have published a map of their proposed Greater Nepal and the same has been placed to the Queen of England. It is interesting and quite relevant to note that portions of West Bengal (including Siliguri and Dooars) shown in the map proposed by UNNF in demand of Greater Nepal and is exactly the replica of the map proposed by the armed revolution group in demand of Gorkhaland. The leaders of the UNNF thus views the initial Sigauli Treaty signed in the year 1816 as illegal and now as the English people have left, India should return those areas back to Nepal which hereby means that the main issue seems not only creation of a separate state of Gorkhaland but to join itself with the so called greater Nepal with an effort to dissect India. The question here not only rises for handing over the regions of Darjeeling and Siliguri as a separate entity of Gorkhaland but it also a plot to cut away portions of our country like Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal in the name of Gorkhaland or Greater Nepal. The leaders of the present movement headed by Morcha are equally liable to give suitable statements in regard to this demand of Gorkhastan or Greater Nepal. After a series of armed revolution, destruction of government and private property and bloodshed by the GNLF activists, Rajib Gandhi, Jyoti Basu and Subhash Ghising of GNLF formed the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC). After 20 yrs of his chairmanship in this council, on the verge of the council elections, Subhash Ghising demanded for the implementation of the 6th schedule through various forms of undemocratic movements. The State Government, in order for maintaining the long seeking peace in the hills, principally agreed to the question of this 6th schedule. GNLF supporters claimed that it was their victory and organized processions to celebrate and proclaim their victory. Bimal Gurung, the present morcha leader, leaded their procession. Suddenly within a few months, the situation changed, all of their movements and claims changed. They started to demand.”NO 6th schedule, NO DGHC….”, we want separate state ----GORKHALAND----including Siliguri and Dooars”. It is significant to note that in order to create more anarchy, hooliganism and communalism, these morcha leaders are keener in organizing meetings and processions in the plains rather than the hills. Hence the present question not only lies for as an effort for division of West Bengal but also weaken our country through some obvious foreign intruders.