Sixth Schedule Bill delay upsets GNLF

Sixth Schedule Bill delay upsets GNLF
Statesman News Service
 
Kurseong/Darjeeling, Dec. 4: The long awaited dream of the GNLF, over the Sixth Schedule status to Darjeeling hills has been presently shattered, as the Bill was deferred today by the parliamentary standing committee, instead of passing.

According to parliamentary sources, the Sixth Schedule Bill was today deferred by the standing-committee and probably, within a month the standing committee members will be visiting Darjeeling hills, where the members will take the opinion of all the parties of Darjeeling hills and take their account over the Sixth Schedule status.

The Lok Sabha MP from Darjeeling, Mr Dawa Narbula, confirmed that the Bill has been deferred by the parliamentary standing committee but he was unable to ascertain the time period of their visit to Darjeeling.
 
He informed that no discussion regarding, the demand for Gorkhaland, was raised in the Parliament today.

Meanwhile, in protest against the proposed Sixth Schedule and in demand of separate state of Gorkhaland, the Gorkha Jan-Mukti Morcha (GJMM) staged a road blockade at Kurseong Motar Stand for 45 minutes. Later, 31 members of the GJMM were arrested by the Kurseong police, on charges of creating obstruction, like violating peace and law and order.

Later, after half an hour, they were released unconditionally by the Kurseong police IC Mr Tara Kumar Rai.

On the other hand, the Gorkha Jan-Mukti Morcha organised a public meeting at Darjeeling Motar Stand, in which, the speakers mainly emphasised that, if the Bill is passed it would disintegrate the Gorkha community in the line of caste, colour, creed, religion. They also said that the Gorkha people never aspired for “Sixth Schedule Status”.

They have been continuously demanding a “state carved out of Darjeeling and the adjoining areas from the Terai and the Dooars region of the district of Jalpaiguri within the ambit of the Constitution” as they have distinct dissimilarities with the rest of the West Bengal in terms of historical, geographical, linguistic, cultural, socio-economic, political, ethnic causes and factors.

Meanwhile, regarding the Sixth Schedule Bill deferred by the parliamentary standing committee, the Gorkha Jan-Mukti Morcha, press and publicity, secretary, Mr Binay Tamang said that this is a kind of victory for them.

He further added “we would also heartily welcome the parliamentary standing committee members during their visit to Darjeeling.

In the meantime, the Gorkha Jan-Mukti Morcha supporters also burst fire-crackers at Singmaari in Darjeeling over the Sixth Schedule Bill’s deferment in Parliament.

On the other hand, the GNLF Darjeeling branch president, Mr Deepak Gurung said that the Bill has not been rejected instead it is in procedure and we are hopeful that it would be passed as soon as possible.

Notably, the health condition of four hunger strikers of the Gorkha Jan-Mukti Morcha in Kurseong is serious, but they insist on continuing with the hunger strike for the demand of Gorkhaland and in protest against Sixth Schedule status informed Daya Dewan, the GJMM Kurseong Branch Committee press and publicity secretary.

Meanwhile, satisfied at today’s development, the Gorkha Jan-Mukti Morcha withdrew its indefinite fast at Darjeeling town towards evening. The fasting agitation in other parts of the hills is, however, still continuing.

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Bill shock for Ghisingh’s party
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Darjeeling, Dec. 4: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha today said the Lok Sabha’s decision to refer the Sixth Schedule bill to the Standing Committee was their victory even as a stunned GNLF tried to put up a brave face.

Members of Subash Ghisingh’s party, which has been clamouring for the Sixth Schedule, said they, too, were happy with the decision.

The GNLF was banking heavily on Parliament passing the bill today to counter the anti-special status voices. With the BJP taking an unexpected stand last evening, Ghisingh’s party did receive a jolt but the party leaders maintain that it was definitely not a “setback”.

“We are happy that the bill has been referred to the standing committee. During the review we can get more powers and are in a win-win situation,” claimed Deepak Gurung, president, GNLF Darjeeling Branch Committee.

Shanta Chhetri, the GNLF MLA from Kurseong, also spoke on similar lines. “This is not a setback for the party. The proposal (to grant special status) was unanimously passed by the Assembly. Now it is up to the Centre. It has given us time to strengthen the party. We are happy that Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee (Bengal chief minister) tried his best,” she added.

For the Morcha it was the “victory of truth”.

“We have proved our political acumen and if we stand united, we will soon achieve Gorkhaland. It is the victory of truth,” Binay Tamang, a central committee member of the Morcha and the press and publicity secretary of the outfit, told a gathering at Motor Stand this afternoon.

Amar Lama, another leader, warned that that the fight had “just begun”. “Subash Ghisingh will not stay quiet but his days are numbered,” said Lama.

He also requested the tribals not to support the Sixth Schedule bill since they had nothing to gain from it.

“The village council which will be formed under this status can settle issues on marriage and divorces according to traditional laws. One can only imagine what will be the plight of our tribal mothers and sisters,” he said.

The Morcha leaders hinted that they might press the standing committee to arrange for a “public hearing” on the special status.

Early this morning, hundreds of Morcha supporters from across the hills courted arrest. While 608 people were picked up in Darjeeling for blocking the road, about 400 people were arrested from Sukhiapokhri. In Kurseong the number was 31.

The Morcha has called off its indefinite hunger strike after today’s development.

A yet-be-named citizens’ forum today appealed to political parties to refrain from violence and bands.

“We are not looking for a confrontation with any political party, but at the same time we consider it our responsibility to remind all to keep the larger interest of the people in mind,” said B.K. Pradhan, secretary of the forum.