Morcha get sets for Feb 17 meet in Kalimpong

6 lakhs supporters, bike rally and foot march debut for agitation

Darjeeling Feb 13: Poised purportedly by the state government’s firm decision to form the Lepcha Development Council (LDC) that triggered protest from the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) that eventually went unheard, the party though in what may be a face saver to keep its strength alive has promised to bring in 6 lakhs supporters to a public meeting in Kalimpong on February 17.

The Lepchas till yesterday were on a fast unto death stir in Kalimpong but withdrew the agitation after North Bengal Development Minister Gautam Deb managed to pacify the agitators with a slew of promises to the Lepcha considered to be the original habitants of the hills.

The GJM supporters yesterday keeping in mind the move made by the government had shown black flags to the Minister while he was back to Siliguri. The Morcha today without showing any big reaction announced after a central committee meeting held at Patlaybash, the party headquarters that it will show its strength and decide its next course during the February 17 meeting.

“We have decided to hold a public meeting on February 17 in which 6 lakhs supporters would be present. Bimal Gurung our party chief will be the main speaker,” said Binay Tamang, the assistant secretary of the party. Tamang maintained that the meet is a step towards demanding statehood. He added that six thousand supporters will also rally in a motorbike around Kalimpong town and on February 15 the party’s Darjeeling town committee will start a foot March towards Kalimpong.

Observers however said that Gurung might threaten to resign from the GTA as a move to awake the state government that the party is ready to start afresh another round of agitation. The state government on the other hand has already shown that it is not afraid to work out things in its own way because despite a ‘militant stir’ threat the government formed the Lepcha Council giving an unheeded response to Morcha’s call.

Tamang however maintained that they are not against the formation of the Lepcha council. Tamang maintaining the statement repeatedly, analyst believes the party knows that any negative to the council would provoke the Lepchas in the region. “That could well swell communal infightings among the Gorkhas residing in the hills,” said an observer.