NBS Times Report
Siliguri March 7: The state government that sent one platoon of Rapid Action Force and two platoons of Indian reserve Force to the hills this evening has decided to step up the toes to deal any bloodshed in the hills strictly. The government’s decision is also triggered after one of the Trinamool hill leaders was stabbed yesterday in Kalimpong.
“We will take stern actions
against any bloodshed in the hills now and the state government will no more
remain mere spectators from now on. Those who attacked our leaders in Kalimpong
will not be left and brought to the good books of law,” Gautam Deb, the North
Bengal Development Minister told journalists in a direct attack to the GJM.
Deb added that the state
government will co-operate fully with the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration
(GTA) to development the hills and will leave no stone unthrown to over due any
development.
Trinamool leader Chewang
Bhutia was stabbed allegedly by Morcha supporters at a local hotel in Kalimpong
yesterday. Bhutia was rushed to Siliguri yesterday evening and is said to be in
a serious condition.
Asked about sending
paramilitary forces in the hills Deb said, “The state government will decide on
it in due course of time”.
On the other side, former
urban development Minister and a senior CPM leader Ashoke Bhattarcharya said
sending paramilitary forces in the hills will not solve the hills issue which
is completely different from the Jungal Mahal. “The hill issue has sentiments of the
people and should be dealt cautiously. The GTA should be given to work freely
while the state government should not interfere in the GTA matters. Former
chief minister had understood the dynamics of the hill issue and never opted
for sending paramilitary forces in the hills,” he said.
Bhattacharya informed a
parliamentary committee headed by the CPM leader Sitaram Yechury has
recommended a constitutional garuntee to the GTA along with more powers.
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