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Mamata slams Centre over promise of UT status to Darjeeling

Mamata accepts Gurung’s resignation, says no to division of Bengal

Kolkata, Aug 2: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged on Wednesday that the UPA government had promised some Gorkha leaders that the Centre will convert Darjeeling into an Union Territory and some Union ministers had encouraged Gorkha leaders to renew their movement in Darjeeling demanding a separate state.

"A few days back, some Union minister had summoned one or two Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) leaders and advised them to organise movement in Darjeeling by renewing their old demand for a separate Gorkha state. These ministers had also promised the GJM leaders that the Centre will convert Darjeeling into an Union territory," IndiaWires.com reported.

"The GJM is now holding their agitation in Darjeeling by citing the Centre's move to accept the demand for a separate Telengana state. I condemn that Centre as I feel some Congress ministers are trying to split India into several regions. Demand for a Telengana state is an old issue and the Congress has picked it up just before the next parliamentary elections," the Chief Minister told reporters at Writers' Buildings on Wednesday before leaving Kolkata for Mumbai to attend an industry summit there on Thursday.

Mamata also expressed displeasure over the Centre's reported move to convert Darjeeling into an Union territory. "Is is a fun? How can the Centre assure GJM leaders about converting Darjeeling into an Union terriroty without consulting the state government?" the Chief Minister asked by adding that "our government will never accept the Gorkha's demand for a separate state."

The Chief minister also said that her government has accepted resignation of Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) chief executive officer (CEO) Bimal Gurung and declared that her government will not allow any split in Bengal by accepting Gurung's demand for a Gorkhaland. "Gurung has sent his resignation letter to the governor and we have accepted the same. Anybody can resign from any position and this is his democratic right. The GTA was formed following a tripartite agreement among the Centre, the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) and our government. GTA was formed democratically through elections and the development work in Darjeeling has begun. We love Darjeeling and nobody would be able to pose any danger before our government," the Chief Minister said.

Meanwhile, Darjeeling has turned violent again following the GJM's decision to go for an indefinite bandh in the Hills from Saturday. The GJM had called a 72-hour bandh in the Hills from Monday and the bandh ended on Wednesday. The GJM has announced a fresh indefinite bandh in the hills from Saturday and has asked the tourists and students to vacate Darjeeling by Friday. The Chief Minister also reacted sharply at the GJM's threat to go for an indefinite bandh in Darjeeling from Saturday.

"We love Darjeeling very much and we consider Darjeeling as an integral party of West Bengal. Our government will not allow any split in West Bengal and we will not accept GJM's demand for a Gorkha state. No one would be able to do any harm to the people of Darjeeling and people living in other parts of our state. We will protect everyone," the chief minister said.

All parties against Gorkhaland demand

Kolkata, Aug 2: The entire opposition in the State on Wednesday stood by the side of the Trinamool Congress government to protest the creation of Gorkhaland.

The state unit of BJP, whose MP from Darjeeling — Jaswant Singh — supported the cause of the separate state in the hills, disassociated itself from the MP and said that it was totally opposed to the creation of Gorkhaland. "We will fight tooth and nail against any further division of Bengal. That will be done on our dead bodies. Economically, politically and geographically Gorkhaland is not possible. The issues of Telangana and Gorkhaland are totally separate," said Rahul Sinha, BJP state unit president, The Indian Express reported.

The Congress, too, vehemently opposed the creation of Gorkhaland. "Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has blamed the Centre for igniting the fires in the hills but she is absolutely wrong. Telangana has been given statehood keeping in mind the aspirations of the people there," senior Congress leader Manas Bhunia said.

The CPM, however, blamed the Congress, BJP and Trinamool for the situation in the hills. "Mamata said the hills were smiling. Now they are groaning in pain," said CPM's Ashok Bhattacharya.

Meanwhile, Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) chief executive officer Bimal Gurung resigned from the post on Tuesday to press for a separate Gorkhaland.

His resignation followed Congress and the UPA coalition unanimously endorsing creation of a separate Telangana state carved out of Andhra Pradesh.

"Bimal Gurung has already sent his resignation to Governor M. K. Narayanan this evening (Tuesday). We have decided to go on a bigger protest in demand of a separate Gorkhaland state carved out of the hill region," Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) general secretary Roshan Giri said.

Giri said the party also appealed to the tourists and students who are studying in in Darjeeling to leave immediately. "We have requested them to vacant the hills as early as possible as we are going on an indefinite strike from August 3 in the hills," he added.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday hit out at the Congress for agreeing to create a Telengana state saying the decision was to win seats in the polls. “The UPA government has created Telangana to gain few seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls,” CNN-IBN reported.

Banerjee also said that there Gorkhaland would not be created and Darjeeling will continue to be a part of West Bengal. “We are not dissolving GTA, Darjeeling will be a part of West Bengal,” she said.

Impose President’s rule in Sikkim to ease communal tension: Bhandari

Gangtok, Aug 2: Former Chief Minister and Sikkim Sangram Parishad President Nar Bahadur Bhandari said the only way to ease the growing communal tension in the State following submission of a controversial writ petition in the Supreme Court on the income tax issue is to immediately impose President’s rule in the State.

He said he would call on the Governor shortly on the issue. If even after the next hearing of the case in the apex court – slated for today – the matter is not resolved to the satisfaction of all parties there will be turmoil and tension in the strategic and sensitive border State, Bhandari said during his press conference held here this week.

Bhandari blamed the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front for the present “communal crisis”.  He said the ruling government was responsible for doing away with the old Income Tax Manuel Manual of 1948 and bringing in the central tax laws in the State.

Under the old law, all the three ethnic communities as well as the old business community had to pay income tax to the State Government.

The old settlers in the State feel that while the ethnic communities who possess the Sikkim Subject identity certificate have been exempted from payment of income tax under the central law they have not been exempted.

However, what has hurt the Sikkimese is that the Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim (AOSS) in its writ petition has reportedly urged the apex court to annual income tax exemption given to bonafide Sikkimese if the old settlers in the State are not granted tax exemption.

Another worrying part of the petition which has not gone well with the people is labeling Sikkimese Nepalese as ‘foreigners’. Most political parties and social organizations have reacted adversely against this remark. If this allegation is not withdrawn on time there could be a major communal flare up in the State leading to political instability.

I have not withdrawn graft case from SC: Delay

Gangtok, Aug 2: Contrary to popular belief Delay Namgyal said he has not withdrawn his petition from the Supreme Court.

Instead, he has alleged that those who said he has withdrawn his petition had “ulterior motives” and were “connected” with the “respondents” to delay the case. In a press statement, Namgyal said Anand Lama and RK Rai had approached the apex court and alleged that he had submitted an application for withdrawal of the case.

Namgyal said for over a year he had become “victim of a vicious campaign aimed at ruining my reputation”. He said Lama and Rai’s allegation against him were “based on false and fabricated documents” and their main objective is to “delay the case”.

In his latest written submission to the apex court last month Namgyal has asked for an investigation into the conduct of the two applicants in the case. He has also stated that he has never written to his lawyer KV Vijaykumar seeking withdrawal of the case. In his letter dated March 12, 2013 to Namgyal, Vijaykumar has stated that he has never received any letter from the petitioner for withdrawal of the case. Namgyal has submitted the letter to the court.

Last year, the Supreme Court issued notice to the Central and Sikkim governments and the CBI on a plea seeking the quashing of a notification requiring prior sanction of the Sikkim Government for probing complaints of corruption against highly-placed politicians.

A bench of Justice R.M. Lodha and Justice H.L. Gokhale had issued notice on a petition by Delay Namgyal seeking the quashing of July 21, 2010 notification.

The petitioner alleged that this was issued to thwart the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe against Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and other ministers for their alleged involvement in corrupt practices.

Prior to the notification there was a general consent under which CBI could proceed against any official of the state or the central government in the State without any sanction.

The petition said that the initial CBI probe has found that Chamling and his legislators “had indulged in various corrupt practices including the commission of criminal misconduct and acquisition of disproportionate assets”.

Minorities feel insecure, forms ‘Bhutia-Lepcha Protection Force’

Seeks restoration of Sikkimese Nepalese’ Assembly seats, protection for old settlers

Gangtok, Aug 2: In a democracy, the majority rules and the minorities are protected. But this certainly is not happening in Sikkim.

Therefore, the minority indigenous Bhutia-Lepcha tribals have formed the ‘Bhutia-Lepcha Protection Force’ (BLPF) to protect themselves and to preserve their natural and cultural heritage.

The new development took place after the ruling elite failed to respond positively to their demand to protect and preserve their rich cultural heritage. This week, Bhutia-Lepcha youths and their leaders have taken upon themselves to play a more assertive role in safeguarding their culture, religion and environment.

The formation of BLPF follows the Chamling Government’s eagerness to develop and beautify the last remnants of Sikkim’s history – the historic and sacred site of Kabi-Longtsok in North Sikkim where the ancestors of the Bhutia-Lepchas (BLs) swore eternal blood-brotherhood in the 13^th century.

The formation of the ‘Protection Force’ took place during a historic meeting of the BLs here at BL House on Tuesday. The meeting took note of numerous ‘attacks’ on issues and sacred areas that are dear to the BLs: Revenue Order No, 1, Tashiding and Dzongu hydel projects, Burman Committee Report, Khechoedpelri Lake, Kabi-Longtsok and failure of 13 BL MLAs, including the lone Sangha MLA, to speak up on behalf of the indigenous communities.

While calling for protection for the BLs under Article 371F of the Constitution, resolution passed by the BLPF demanded restoration of Assembly seats of Sikkimese Nepalese, checking of influx, fight against communalism and casteism and protection of old business community in the State.

The meeting also constituted an Adhoc Committee for BLPF’s  Central Executive Committee. The members of the Committee are: Phigu Tshering Bhutia (President), Ongda Lepcha and Karma Gelay Lepcha (Vice-President), Passsang Namgyal Lepcha and Tseten Dorje Bhutia (General Secretary), Tashi Tshering Bhutia (Secretary – Press & Publicity) and Sonam Tashi Bhutia (Coordinator).

Chewang Rinzing Lepcha was unanimously elected Co-Convenor of SIBLAC during the meeting.

Proment among those who were present at the meeting were: BLPF President Phigu Tshering Bhutia, BLPF Vice-President Chewang Norbu Lepcha,  SIBLAC Convenors Tseten Tashi Bhutia and Chewang Rinzing Lepcha, President of Monks of Sikkim Cho Tshering Norby, President of Survival Sikkimese KL Kaloen, NASBO President Sonam Kaloen, ex-directors of Sikkim Government Passang Bhutia and Karma Bhutia and ACT leader Chophel Lepcha and Lama Sherab Tenzing Lepcha.

DRUKAIR agency in Gangtok

Bhutan’s Drukair now has an authorized agent in Sikkim. Based in Gangtok at Observer Building, Nam Nang, Armando Tours & Travels (International) has started operation from today (Friday Aug 2, 2013) after a ceremonial opening of the agency by Nedo Kuchung Rinpoche of Rumtek Monastery (Dharma Chakra Centre). The function was attended by Speaker KT Gyaltsen, Secretary L. Gyaltsen and former Principal of Institute of Hotel Management JT Gyaltsen.

Editorial

STATEHOOD DEMAND REVIVED

Leaders On Agitation Mode

The string of political events that will seize the country immediately with Telangana being allowed to assume statehood, has already started gathering steam. To begin with, security forces have already been alerted in other states which are dealing with demands of separatist movements. The major movements are in states including West Bengal, Assam and Maharashtra.

Bimal Gurung, Gorkhaland Territorial Administration chief who has just resigned from his post to lead the Gorkhaland demand, has already declared that if the UPA forms Telangana, it should also allow Gorkhalanad to be formed. “Our demand for Gorkhaland is older than the demand for Telangana. If the Centre announces a Telangana state then it should also declare a Gorkhaland state,” Gurung had told reporters.

There have been sporadic demands for the new state through the decades, but the momentum picked up in the 1980s with Gorkha leader Subhash Ghising leading a violent agitation seeking autonomy. Consequently in 1988, following sustained protests by Ghising’s party Gorkha National Liberation Front, the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council, a body with certain administrative powers, was formed. Soon, dissent started pooling against Ghising, and Bimal Gurung, another flamboyant Gorkha leader, broke away away from DGHC to start his new party – Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) - and pursued the statehood agenda.

Another stir is the one for forming a new state of Vidarbha, which has remained considerably low-key for a while now. The activists who demanded several districts that comprise Vidarbha be separated from Maharashtra, have now raised their voices again and planned a series of protests demanding a separate state. Political leaders from Vidarbha, a region plagued by severe droughts and poverty, have argued that holistic development of the region was only possible if a separate state was formed. In Assam as well dissent is also brewing with leaders demanding a separate Bodoland. The Bodoland People’s Front has echoed Gorkhaland’s feelings, reiterating their demand that the government should create Bodoland if Telangana is formed.  The party is organising a mass rally here on August 4 to put pressure on the government on Bodoland.

Arrest culprits, BJP tells Chamling

Gangtok, Aug 2: Sikkim unit of the BJP has reacted strongly against Chief Minister Pawan Chamling’s allegation that anti-Sikkimese posterings in the State inciting communal sentiments are the handiwork of the opposition in the State.

Reacting to the allegation, Shanti Sharma, President of Bharatiya Janta Yuva Morcha in a press statement challenged the Chamling Government to arrest the culprits if the administration is aware of who were behind the “shameful act” that has caused “communal disharmony” in the State.

“The matter is of great concern and being Sikkimese natives, identity of our people and its protection is our first duty,” Sharma said.

Chief Minister spelt 'Thief Minister' in Sikkim English textbook

Gangtok, Aug 2: Four officials of the State Government have reportedly been suspended over glaring mistakes in Class V textbooks.

In the Elementary Environment Science text book, the Chief Minister is named 'Thief Minister'.

 Four officials have been suspended over the incident, according to CNNIBN report.

Among other howlers, Hectares are 'hectores' and certified is 'cerelified'. The textbook has been published by Delhi-based Tulip Publications. Teachers have been asked to make corrections in textbook. 

Missing sisters found in Sikkim, 3 charged with kidnapping, rape

Gangtok, Aug 2: Three taxi drivers were on Tuesday taken into custody in East Sikkim on charges of wrongful confinement, kidnapping and rape of two minors who were reported missing since Sunday.

The two sisters, aged 16 and 12 years, who had gone missing from Singtam in East Sikkim were also traced, the police said, PTI reported.

The sisters had been taken away by a taxi driver who allegedly sexually assaulted the younger sister while returning from Siliguri on July 22.

The sisters were reported to have been lodged in a hotel at Lall Bazaar in Singtam by two other taxi drivers.

All the three taxi drivers were taken into custody by the police and the initial missing case converted to cover sections for wrongful confinement, kidnapping and rape, the police said.

PEOPLE & PLACES Jamyang Dorjee

Rare Tibetan art exhibition in New York by Sikkim’s Jamyang Dorjee

Jamyang Dorjee with the Dalai Lama

New York, Aug 2: Beginning from next week (Aug 8) and lasting till September 23 next month, Tibet House US will organise the Dharma Art, an exhibition featuring the masterful works and calligraphy art of renowned Tibetan artist Jamyang Dorjee Chakrishar for the first time in a solo show.  The exhibition is being held in New York.

Jamyang Dorjee’s calligraphy is a linguistic dance of Buddhist images and elements, encompassing Lord Buddha’s body, spirit and mind. Boldly experimenting with a variety of media and styles, his work is constantly evolving.  The startling beauty and detail in Jamyang’s work comes from his deep devotion to the teachings of Buddha and his love for the Tibetan language. This is his first solo show in the United States, though his works are in private collections worldwide.

Jamyang was born in Lhasa, and later he worked as senior official for the Government of Sikkim, India and the Tibetan Government in Exile. He currently works for an NGO, the Conservancy of Tibetan Arts and Culture, and holds the world record for creating the longest calligraphy scroll.  His calligraphy pieces can be found in the private collections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lodi Gyari Rinpoche, Richard Gere, Lama Zopa Rinpoche and others.

Tibet House US, established in 1987 at the request of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, is a non-profit educational institution and cultural embassy working to preserve, restore and present Tibet's unique cultural and spiritual heritage by means of a permanent cultural center, with a 2,000-square-foot gallery, library, archives, developing traveling exhibitions, print publications and media productions.