SIKKIM OBSERVER AUG 27, 2011

In the name of Anna, ‘Black Bill’ Golay confronts Chamling

“Black Bill is unconstitutional and undemocratic”

Gangtok, Aug 26: The newly-formed non-political organization Nagarik Adhikar Suraksha Sangathan (NASS), which reportedly has the backing of dissident ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) legislator PS Tamang, created a flutter in political circles here when it held a massive rally on Wednesday in support of social activist Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption campaign.

Thousands of supporters of the NASS-initiated anti-corruption and anti-Black Bill rally stormed the capital and created quite a stir. “Finally, Golay has arrived,” said an onlooker, who felt relieved that the rally was an open confrontation between the Opposition and the ruling party, which has been ruling the State for 17 years without interruption.

Golay himself was in a buoyant mood. He had urged everyone to pitch in to oppose the “Black Bill” and rampant corruption in the State administration. Those who were fed up with the Chamling Government responded enthusiastically to his call.

Golay stated that he opposes the “Black Bill” and the undemocratic ways of the SDF party. “Because I belong to the SDF does not mean that I will start calling black as white. Black will always remain black. The Black Bill intends to rob the Sikkim citizens of their Fundamental Rights hence it is unconstitutional,” he said.

“Prem Singh Golay, the rebel SDF MLA of Upper Burtuk chose a non-political rally to lash out against his party and political mentor Chamling,” reported a national daily.

Referring to Chamling’s quest for “democracy” with a candle in the Assembly before he formed the government in 1994, Golay said, “That has become history. Chamling himself is leaving no stones unturned to erase that part of history. Where is democracy in Sikkim?”, a national daily reported.

Apart from Opposition leaders others, including social organisations such as the National Sikkimese Bhutia Organisation (NASBO) and All Sikkim Contractors’ Welfare Association (ASCWA), supported NASS’s initiative and joined the rally.

 “Where is democracy now? By introducing the Black Bill Chamling has proved that he is not a democrat,” Golay said.

The Samiti’s President T N Dhakal said the rally is also being organised to protest against the introduction of the Sikkim Prevention and Control of Disturbance of Public Order Bill, 2011, which the Opposition has dubbed it as “Black Bill” aimed at suppression of the citizens fundamental democratic rights.

The Bill was introduced in the Assembly by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling on August 11. However, faced with a massive opposition to the Bill by Opposition parties, including the Congress and BJP, the Bill was abruptly withdrawn on August 16 reportedly with Governor BP Singh’s intervention.

The proposed bill said “Holding of procession, hunger strike or squatting or shouting of slogans or waving black flags or other such agitation methods, tendency or potentiality of promoting enmity or hatred or disaffection between groups or sections or communities on grounds of religion, race or caste shall be deemed to be disturbance of public order” and is punishable by imprisonment of five years and a fine of Rs. 50,000/-.

But despite the withdrawal Opposition parties have decided to carry on with their anti-Black Bill campaign till the Bill is formally withdrawn in the Assembly when it resumes on August 26.

Dhakal, a special secretary who retired from government service last year, had said the Bill cannot be withdrawn without proper discussion in the House. He said the Chief Minister’s reasons for withdrawal of the Bill must be recorded in the Assembly proceedings.

The rallyists not only torched copies of the “Black Bill” but also demanded an apology from Chamling.

Sangathan slams NASS, wants Bill to be passed in Assembly

By A Staff Reporter

Gangtok, Aug 26: The Sikkim Sachet Swarojgar Berojgar Sangathan has supported the Sikkim Prevention and Control of Public Order Bill, which is likely to be withdrawn in the Assembly today.

While addressing a press conference here yesterday, Sangathan General Secretary Dev Gurung said the Bill was neither “unconstitutional” nor “undemocratic.” He said the public order Bill tabled in the Assembly by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling was the need of the hour. The association wants the government to pass the Bill in the interest of the people.

The Sangathan has accused the rally organized in the capital on Wednesday by Nagarik Adhikar Suraksha Sangathan Samiti (NASS) as “politically-motivated.”

Sangathan President Karma Gurmey Bhutia alleged that during the NASS-organised protest rally in support of Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption campaign the participants shouted slogans such as “PS Golay Zindabad.”

P S Tamang (Golay), a dissident ruling party legislator is believed to be backing the NASS, whose first public event was Wednesday’s rally.

“NGOs must be above politics and political parties but NASS is trying to gain political mileage by terming the bill as “Black Bill,” Bhutia said.

The Sangathan also slammed Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad Party (SHRPP) President A D Subba for encouraging “anti-social elements” in the State. It said Subba offered khadas to those who torched Chamling’s effigy in Gangtok and West Sikkim recently.

Sakya Trizin to pay month-long visit to Sikkim in October

By A Staff Reporter

Gangtok, Aug 26: His Holiness the Sakya Trizin, head of Sakya order of Tibetan Buddhism, will be visiting the State in October for the 50^th anniversary celebrations of Ngor Gompa (monastery).

The Sakya Trizin will be accompanied by Luding Khen Rinpoche, head of the Ngor lineage of the Sakya sect, according to Kunga Y. Hochotsang, Director of Sa-Ngor Chotshog Centre (Ngor Gompa), located near the capital at Rongnek.

His Holiness will give initiations and teachings during his month-long stay in the former Buddhist kingdom.

During his stay, His Holiness will visit the Tibetan settlement in Rabongla, south Sikkim and Karma Kagyu monastery of Gyaltsab Rinpoche in Ralong, also in south Sikkim.

Sikkimese sniper Baichung Bhutia retires from international football

Observer News Service

Kolkata, Aug 26: India's former football captain Baichung Bhutia has announced his retirement from the international game.

The 34-year-old star striker has been struggling with injuries. Bhutia was the first player from the sub-continent to sign a professional contract with a European football club when he signed for Bury in 1999, the BBC reported.

He is also the only Indian footballer to play more than 100 matches for his country during his distinguished 16-year career.

"I had a fantastic 16 years of international football. I enjoyed every moment to have represented the country, to have contributed to the game," Bhutia told reporters on Wednesday.

"I wanted to continue playing but the last seven-eight months have been frustrating due to a lot of injuries. So I have decided to quit," he added.

The footballer said he would continue to play for his club, United Sikkim FC, which he founded.

"Lot of things in life do not happen the way we wish so I am quitting from international football but will continue playing for my club," he said.

Bhutia scored 43 goals in international football, the highest by an Indian footballer. He played for Bury FC in England for three years until 2002.

India won a premier South Asian championship three times under his captaincy.

Bhutia, a Buddhist, comes from the north-eastern Indian state of Sikkim.

''Kina Maya Ma'' nominated for awards in Nepal

Gangtok, Aug 26:  Nepalese film 'Kina Maya Ma', shot entirely in Sikkim and starring 'Indian Idol III' winner Prashant Tamang, has been nominated in two award categories in Nepal.

Produced by prominent Nepalese film producers Channel Ace, the movie is directed by Chunilal Ghimeray and has been nominated for at the CG Digital Film Awards of Kathmandu, UNI reported.

The film has been nominated in best story (Chunilal Ghimeray) and best choreography (Govind Rai) categories of the awards festival, the production house sources said. The CG Digital Film Awards, a premier film event in Nepal, will take place on September 8, 2011.

The Sikkim premiere of the movie is scheduled on August 27 in Gangtok. Shot entirely in Sikkim, the film has Kathmandu-based model-turned-actress Sumina Ghimire opposite Tamang. It also features several actors from Sikkim and Darjeeling, familiar faces in local productions.

SHRPP protesters march across heart of city, takes everyone by surprise

Gangtok, August 26: It was a protest rally of a different kind. A 10-member team of Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad Party (SHRPP) with heads clean shaven and placards hanging on their neck marched across the heart of the city – from Nam Nang to Titanic Park through M G Marg – protesting against imposition of the “Black Bill” that Chief Minister Pawan Chamling introduced in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly on August 11.

The peaceful protest rally, while taking the authorities by surprise, was most effective and yet simple and cost-free.

SHRPP President AD Subba threatened to give a call for ‘Jail Bhoro’ if the Bill was not withdrawn when the Assembly resumes on Friday after a brief recess.

The ten who staged the peaceful protest were Gyalpo Tamang, MB Rai, LM Limboo, Om Prakash Bista, DB Mangar, SP Sharma, RL Ghimirey, KB Dahal, Jacob Tamang and SB Subba.

Editorial

REGIME CHANGE

Building Democratic Institutions Vital

Unity, planning and sustained non-violent people’s movement are key factors that often lead to overthrow of dictators. Aware of these vital factors for regime change veterans of the uprising in Serbia, which overthrew President Slobodan Milosevic in 2000, are running workshops for opposition groups around the world on how to bring down  dictators. Their Centre for Applied Nonviolent Action and Strategies (CANVAS) teaches the science of regime change anywhere in the world. Srja Popovic, who runs a School of Revolution for Canvas, was a student leader and played a key role in the 2000 Serbian revolt that ousted Milosevic. The tactics Popovic learnt during Milosevic’s ouster are now being taught to opposition, student and youth leaders and with much success. Canvas held workshops with Egyptian opposition groups in 2009, including the April 6 movement that played a key role in the overthrow of the Mubarak regime two years later. Emphasising the importance of “unity” in mass movements, Popovic says, “They (Egyptians) gave up their individual symbols of their own groups and came out only with the flag of Egypt.”

Since the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, traffic to the Canvas website has soared - with tens of thousands of downloads of the organization’s free guide on staging protest. But Popovic and leaders of mass movements agree that bringing down a dictator is not enough. Change of one personality is not a revolution. Sometimes changing one person cannot bring the desired changes in the system of governance. “Removing the bad guy is sometimes easier than building the democratic institutions,” says Popovic. Building an open, just and free society is a time-consuming process where everyone, including the man in the street, needs to be involved. Widespread and prolonged protests often lead to toppling of dictators but without strong and credible democratic institutions nothing concrete and long-lasting can be achieved. Supporters of social activist Anna Hazare have created a greater awareness of the curse of corruption throughout the sub-continent. This in itself is a spectacular achievement. Placing the right representatives in the Parliament and State Assembly – the next big task – are vital factors in changing the system of governance. Laws and rules are important; but it is individuals who shape society and change the destiny of nations.

Politics of Population in the Himalayas

SUNANDA K DATTA-RAY

The possibility of new Nepalese-majority States doesn’t concern West Bengal alone. It concerns India from Assam to Uttarakhand.

Bounded by Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and China, Gorkhaland will be India’s second Nepalese-majority State. If migration across the 500-mile open border — which the 1950 India-Nepal Treaty permits and even encourages — continues, it may not be the last. The prospect explains Rajiv Gandhi’s refusal in 1986 to countenance citizenship for post-1950 immigrants.

Even Darjeeling’s sitting MP tempers pleasure over the recent tripartite agreement with circumspection. “The challenge is to understand: ‘what hereafter’ and to address that,” Mr Jaswant Singh warns. Since Ms Mamata Banerjee denies that the tripartite agreement will lead to Statehood, she may not realise there is a challenge to understand and address.

It may soon become mandatory to speak only of ‘Gorkha’, so let me be ethnically accurate rather than politically correct while it is still possible and say that the challenge is of appreciating Nepalese history and ethnography and its impact on India all along the Himalayas, not just in West Bengal. Some Nepalese readers have taken umbrage at my article “Step towards Gorkhaland” published in these columns on July 29. They probably feel the economic implications of migration are demeaning. Hence they insist they didn’t come from anywhere but have always been Indian.

Always is a big word and a huge concept. How long does one have to live in a terrain to be regarded as indigenous, a reader asked. The answer can’t be measured in years or even generations. The Burdwan zamindari family have lived in Bengal for 500 years and don’t speak a word of Punjabi. But apart from exceptional love matches, all their spouses come from Punjab. In the US, Ralph Ellison, the Black American author of Invisible Man, nursed no memory, individual or folk, of his African forebears. His consciousness had been shaped in the crucible of the American Dream.

As the Rastafarian movement or the Black American girl flirting with Nigerian attire in A Raisin in the Sun demonstrated, belonging is a state of mind. I have seen German-origin Soviet families squatting for days on airport floors with their boxes and bedding like refugees at Sealdah station waiting for flights to “return” to a Germany some had never seen. I also know ethnic Germans who despite Germanic names and appearance, regard themselves and are regarded by others as entirely Russian.

With passports of convenience readily available, legal citizenship is only a small part of identity. Nor is identity constricted by boundaries which is why many Nagas seek union with their fellow tribesmen in Myanmar. Friends of Dorjee Khandu, the late Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, say he was loyally Indian to the core but completely Tibetan in lifestyle. A Malaysian bumiputera (son of the soil) is born Malay and Muslim, but Malayali settlers in dhoti and angavastram are also accorded bumiputera status. The Burdwans suggest that choice takes precedence over history and ethnicity.

Readers who deny that the British brought in Nepalese labour are right only to the extent that migration existed before Sikkim ceded Darjeeling to the East India Company. But it’s fanciful to claim (as one reader did) that the Nepalese came in the 1600s. Many of Darjeeling’s 1,900 inhabitants in 1850 (2,200 in 1869) were the original Lepchas and Bhutiyas.

Leo Rose, Lopita Nath and other scholars regard the Treaty of Sugauli and establishment of recruitment centres at Ghoom and Gorakhpur as the start. The 1950 Treaty additionally encouraged immigration. The Nepalese share of Darjeeling’s population rose from 54 per cent in 1901 to 58.4 per cent in 1971. Reportedly, it increased by 700 per cent during 1951-2001.

A vigorous community’s eastward push reduced Lepchas and Bhutiyas to minorities in their own homeland. Ethnic strife erupted throughout the North-East but especially in Meghalaya. Darjeeling suffered grievously. The most dramatic impact was in Sikkim which had only 2,500 Lepchas, 1,500 Bhutiyas and 1,000 Tsongs in 1873. A century later, the Nepalese, then three-quarters of the population, played a decisive part in changing the status of a Tibetan-Buddhist kingdom with which they could not relate. A Sikkim-Nepalese politician even demanded a Nepalese Hindu king to balance the Bhutiya Buddhist Chogyal! Bhutan began to be wary of non-Drukpa settlers after the Sikkim agitation in which many Darjeeling Nepalese participated. There were also allegations of Darjeeling Nepalese agitators in Bhutan.

Bhutan began recruiting Nepalese labourers (tangyas) in 1900, allowing them to stay on as tenant farmers with Bhutanese nationality. This changed when Bhutan’s planned growth, empty land and porous borders attracted waves of illegal migrants. The evictions, refugee camps in Nepal, militant organisations, terrorist activity and assisted migration to North America and Europe are another story.

Just as Drukpa officials felt absorption would be easier if the Nepalese were called Southern Bhutanese or Lhotshampas, Subhas Ghising dubbed them Gorkha. Prem Poddar claims in Gorkhas Imagined that “the word ‘Gorkha’ (or the neologism ‘Gorkhaness’) as a self-descriptive term ... has gained currency as a marker of difference for Nepalis living in India … While this counters the irredentism of a Greater Nepal thesis, it cannot completely exorcise the spectres or temptations of an ethnic absolutism for diasporic subjects.” Ghising’s overtures to Nepal’s King Birendra and Prince Gyanendra and periodic unpublicised trips to Nepal may have aggravated those fears. It was recalled then that the All-India Gurkha League’s founding constitution referred to Nepal as the “motherland”.

Several readers argue that Bengalis are equally foreign because they are really Bangladeshis. True, many people in Calcutta and West Bengal have roots in East Bengal (there was no Bangladesh then) just as many Tamils in Chennai come from villages in Tanjore and other districts. The metropole always attracts manpower, and internal migration in undivided Bengal followed this pattern. The movement since 1947 falls into two categories. The first is a staggered and delayed (because of political factors including the 1950 Nehru-Liaquat Ali Pact) counterpart of the exchange of population that happened all at once in Punjab. The second is the illegal influx of Muslims from East Pakistan and later Bangladesh, often abetted by elements in West Bengal. Undeniably, they should be tracked down and deported but neither group can be compared to the millions of Nepalese who have over the decades migrated to and made India their home.

The possibility of new Nepalese-majority States doesn’t concern West Bengal alone. It concerns India from Assam to Uttarakhand. The situation is without global parallel. (The Pioneer)

Revolt in Sikkim over suppression of democratic rights

JIGME N KAZI

The Opposition says the “Black Bill” is a “conspiracy” of the ‘Sikkim Autocratic Front’ government’s bid to suppress any form of opposition and dissent in Sikkim.

The Chamling Government’s bid to effectively curb dissent in the former Himalayan kingdom that reluctantly embraced ‘democracy’ three and half decades back has backfired.

The man who seventeen years ago protested against former chief minister Nar Bahadur Bhandari’s corrupt and dictatorial rule has tabled The Sikkim Prevention and Control of Disturbance of Public Order Bill in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly. The Bill seeks to curb basic fundamental democratic rights of the people enshrined in the Constitution.

“We got democracy in exchange of our sovereignty,” said Chief Minister Pawan Chamling when he led the movement for restoration of democracy in the State in 1993-94. The pro-democracy and anti-Bhandari movement led to Bhandari’s defeat in the November 1994 Assembly polls that saw Chamling form his Sikkim Democratic Front government in December 1994. The tide has turned full circle now. Chamling has now been accused of corruption and dictatorial tendencies, two major issues he used to unseat Bhandari.

The Congress party-initiated CBI case against Chamling and his present and former ministers is presently with the Supreme Court. Pressure for CBI probe against Chamling’s disproportionate assets case is mounting by the day and the four-term chief minister is placed in a tight situation.

Reacting to what the Opposition termed as the “Black Bill”, Acting President of Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee Kunga Nima Lepcha said the “draconian” Bill was a “conspiracy” of the ‘Sikkim Autocratic Front’ government’s bid to suppress any form of opposition and dissent in the State against the “misdeeds and anti-people activities” of the Chamling Government.

In a rare show of unity Opposition leaders boycotted the Governor’s tea party on Independence day.  The decision to boycott the official function of the Raj Bhavan was taken during a hurriedly-held meeting of the Opposition a day after the Bill was tabled in the House by Chamling, also the Home Minister.

Sikkim National People’s Party President Biraj Adhikari said opposition parties have decided to hold protest rallies in the State to oppose the “dictatorial” proposal of the ruling party.

Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad Party (SHRPP) led by its President AD Subba, who took part in the meeting, said party workers burnt Chamling’s effigy in west Sikkim in protest against the Bill.

SHRPP members again torched Chamling’s effigy in Gangtok on the eve of the I-Day celebrations. According to SHRPP General Secretary Tara Shrestha, police arrested 8 party workers in connection with the incident.

“The Black Bill is unacceptable in a democracy. It is aimed at throttling the voice of the people,” said CPIM leader Anjan Upadhyaya said

Sikkim BJP President Padam Bahadur Chettri while condemning the Bill as “undemocratic” appealed to dissident SDF leader and MLA PS Tamang to raise the issue in the Assembly  when it comes up for discussion on August 26. But as all the 32 MLAs in the Assembly belong to the ruling party there is not much that Tamang can do to stop the smooth passage of the Bill.

The Sikkim Liberation Party (SLP) Convenor, Duk Nath Nepal, said by introducing the Bill in the Assembly the Chamling Government has proved that it has lost “faith” in the “Indian Constitution” and the “system of constitutional democracy.”

Leaders of the Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) and All Sikkim Educated Self-Employed & Unemployed Association were also present during the all-party meeting. The Opposition is no mood to submit itself to the new law. “We will hold rallies, carry threatened Adhikari.

The Bill seeks to curtail freedom of expression and movement in the State by imposing heavy penalties. Anyone who engages in rallies, processions, hunger strikes, shouting slogans, waving black flags and thereby disturbing public  peace and order will be fined Rs 50,000 and sent to jail for five years.

Those who take part in extortions, drug abuse, employ children for household work, and children under 18 years caught smoking, visiting bars and discotheques would also face severe punishment under the Bill.

Recently, four members of the SDF’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) quit the party in protest against Chamling’s “undemocratic and autocratic” style of functioning. “Presently, no ones voice is heard apart from yours in the party,” their resignation letter to Chamling, who is also the party president, said. It added, “Those who give good suggestions are labeled as anti-party.”  The four – Kiran Chettri, Sonam Bhutia, Nima Theeng and Sonam Sherpa -  are likely to join Tamang, whom many see as the chief-minister-in-waiting.

The Sikkim High Court’s recent ruling placing Bhandari in jail for misuse of power in 1983-84 during his first term in office that led to a loss of Rs 2,14,120 to the State exchequer has become another major catalyst for Opposition unity in the State.

While Bhandari has threatened to quit the Congress party to form his own regional party when the one-month jail sentence expires early next month, Congress leaders believe that the party chief will come out stronger when he returns to active politics next month.

“We are not anti-India but pro-Sikkim,” Bhandari confided to me after he was hospitalized here in a local hospital and kept in the ICU of the cardiology ward.

Adhikari has urged all Opposition parties and social organisations and others to seek Bhandari’s immediate release.

Former MLA and one of the chief architects of Sikkim’s merger, Nar Bahadur Khatiwada, alleged that the former chief minister was not being properly looked after in the hospital and said the Chamling Government would be held responsible should anything happen to Bhandari.

Khatiwada, who is presently with the Sikkim Gorkha Prajatantrik Party (SGPP), while supporting opposition to the Bill, said, “The Black Bill is the most unfortunate move of the SDF government. This is a Bill to suppress the freedom of expression of the people.”

Under what law did you advise govt to withdraw ‘Black Bill’, BJP asks

Gangtok, Aug 26: The State unit of the BJP has questioned the legality of Governor BP Singh’s controversial decision to advise the State Government to withdraw a Bill tabled in the Assembly by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling.

The State Government was forced to withdraw the Sikkim Prevention and Control of Disturbance of Public Order Bill No 10 of 2011 amidst mounting opposition from Opposition parties and the civil society, which termed the proposed legislation as the “Black Bill” aimed at curtailing freedom of expression and movement in the State.

Reacting to the government’s decision to withdraw the Bill, BJP Sikkim unit President Padam Chettri in a press statement said, “I would  like to ask the Governor under what law or under which Article of the constitution he “advised the State government to withdraw the Bill”.

Chettri pointed out that the Speaker KT Gyaltsen had

“granted leave to introduce the Bill and directed that Discussion and Voting on the Bill would be taken up on 26 August, 2011.”

Alleging that “The Bill is against the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution; and fundamental rights are covered under the “basic structure” of the Constitution which none can violate,” Chettri said the Governor “can withhold his assent to the Bill when it is sent to him” but he cannot direct the government to withdraw a Bill when it has been introduced in the House.

“The Bill is the property of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly Secretariat. Having fixed the date of 26 August 2011 for discussion and voting, the Bill can be withdrawn only under Clause 104 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of business in Sikkim Legislative Assembly, “ Chettri said while adding  “But already on 17 August, 2011, the Executive government issued a statement that the Bill is withdrawn. It is sad that the Speaker and legislature has become a puppet in the hands” of the Chief Minister.

India prepares for Chinese threat in Himalayan frontier

Major build-up of military infrastructure by China all along the border.

New Delhi, Aug 26: With Beijing flexing its muscles by strengthening its military capacity in Tibet, New Delhi has given an in-principle nod to beef up defences along the 4,057-km Line of Actual Control. The Indian counter-move includes raising a new army corps at Pannagarh in West Bengal, an armoured brigade each in eastern Sikkim and eastern Ladakh and an independent infantry brigade in the Barahoti plains in Uttarakhand, a national daily reported.

While the proposed upgradation of Indian military defences is being processed for final approval by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), it was given an in-principle green signal from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and defence minister AK Antony during an army presentation last month.

The strategic step was taken in the light of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) capability to deploy no less than 34 divisions (nearly half-a-million troops) within a month on the LAC due to a huge infrastructure build-up in Tibet. To add to India's discomfort, the PLA has been conducting airborne, para-dropping and artillery firing exercises in Tibet for the past two years.

Government sources said the Pannagarh-based corps (around 15,000 combat troops) will include a Ranchi-based formation, which is currently part of the Mathura-based 1 Corps. This means that the army will raise two more divisions in the coming years to replenish the Mathura Corps and another to add to the Pannagarh formation. For this purpose, the army has earmarked 6,000 acres of land in Pannagarh, which has a functioning air force strip and is located 150 km from Kolkata.

Already a battalion and a tank regiment, which will be part of the armoured brigade, have been moved to Sikkim.

At the heart of the proposed Indian defence build-up is the threat assessment that the PLA may become assertive across the Arunachal Pradesh border in the coming years as Beijing still calls its South Tibet and has not given up its stapled visa strategy for residents of Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu Kashmir.

The Army is planning to set up a mountain strike corps and is talking to various states including in the northeast against the backdrop of a Chinese build up of military infrastructure on its side of boundary.

"We are in talks with the governments of states including Assam, West Bengal and Bihar for setting up the mountain corps headquarters, which would require at least 4,000 to 5,000 acres of land," senior Army sources said here.

Around 10-12 locations in these states have been identified by the Army to set up the formation, they said.

The mountain strike corps is being planned by the Army after it established two new mountain infantry divisions for the northeastern region.

The Army is also looking to deploy ultra-light howitzers and light tanks along the Line of Actual Control in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.

All these developments come against the backdrop of a major build-up of military infrastructure by China all along the border, which includes five fully-operational airbases, an extensive rail network and over 58,000-km of roads in Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR).

Rumtek trust celebrates golden jubilee

 By A Staff Reporter

Gangtok, Aug 26: The Karmapa Charitable Trust (KCT) observed its Golden Jubilee Anniversary here and at Rumtek. The KCT was initially founded by the Late His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa Ranjgung Rigpe Dorje in 1961 to undertake varied dharma activities across the World from His Holiness’ seat-in-exile at Rumtek, East Sikkim.

However, keeping in view of the recent passing away of its last surviving parent Trustee Ashok Chand Burman, the scale of observation was scale down to a very simple and formal, an official release said.

The KCT Trustee Trateng Yarpa JT Gyaltsen graced the celebration at Gangtok as its Chief Guest. The observation was joined amongst others by the monk community, local gentries and followers of HH the Gyalwang Karmapa.

Earlier a commemorative tree plantation was organized by Yarpa Gyaltsen in and around Rumtek.

PRIDE OF SIKKIM

Outstanding student from Pelling first recipient of CM’s  scholarship scheme

Karma Sonam Bhutia admitted to University of California

Observer News Service

Geyzing, Aug 26: Karma Sonam Bhutia, a resident of Pelling in west Sikkim, is the first recipient of the Chief Minister Pawan Chamling’s Free Scholarship Scheme.

The scheme, announced by the Chief Minister during the recent Independence Day celebrations, is meant for students who succeed in getting admission through competitive entrance exam to the world’s 20 top Universities for higher studies in any discipline.

Karma was admitted to the University of California, Los Angeles, US, to undergo further studies in Masters in Science, according to IPR.

According to the HRDD, the University of California is among the top 20 universities in the world. Karma is the first recipient of this scholarship from the State.

Karma has been excelling in academics as well as other fields right from his school days. He received regional award for topper in the region in ICSE 2003 in Kalimpong with an aggregate of 92%.

He was the school topper in ISC with 93%. He has also received Bhanu Puraskar in Bhanu Jayanti on securing highest marks in Nepali in ICSE 2003 and was a top ranking student in the institute in the 1st to 5th semester in NIT Calicut.

Karma was also a Gold Medalist in ECE department in NIT Calicut and was also a recipient of Cromptom Greaves Limited Sponsorship for academic excellence in B.Tech (Electronics scores) among 20 NITs of the country.

After graduating with Gold Medal in B.Tech from NIT Calicut Karma was working as Design Engineer in Analog Devices India Pvt. Ltd., which is involved in designing computer chips. The course he has now opted is M.S.(Masters in Science) in Electronic Circuits and Systems in Electronic Engineering, which is equivalent to M.Tech. This will enable him to specialize in the field of designing computer chips which are extensively used in application specific fields, such as automobile control systems, avionics, audio systems, bio medical applications etc.

Gangtokians hold rally in support of Team Anna

By A Staff Reporter

Gangtok, Aug 26: The newly-formed People Volunteer Cell (PVC) organized a rally here on Tuesday in support of Anna Hazare’s call for a strong Lokpal Bill to curb corruption in the country.

Nearly 200 citizens participated in the rally, which began at Deorali and ended here at Zero Point.

PVC Convenor Majoj Gazmer said ordinary people are suffering due to rampant corruption in high places.

Briefing the media, Gazmer said the State Government should allow the CBI to probe into graft cases in the State.

He said members of Team Anna had come to Sikkim last month and their visit led to formation of the PVC.

PVC members also met Y.T Lepcha, who began his hunger strike here since August 20 in support of Anna’s anti-corruption campaign.

Several prominent Opposition leaders in the State, including Biraj Adhikari, D N Nepal and Tika Chettri also met Lepcha and gave their moral support.

T N Dhakal, President of the newly-formed Nagarik Adhikar Suraksha Sagathan Sikkim (NASSS) along with his colleagues, Sonam Bhutia, NK Gurung and Cheen Kazi, also met Lepcha at Paljor Stadium premises to extend their support.

Dhakal challenged the Chamling Government to extend its support to Team Anna if it is clean and want a corruption-free administration.

SIKKIM OBSERVER   Aug 20, 2011

Dhakal to lead anti-corruption, ‘Black Bill’ campaign

Golay’s men in Nagarik Adhikar Suraksha Sangathan

By A Staff Reporter

Gangtok, Aug 19: As expected former civil servant T N Dhakal, who retired from government service last year as special secretary, has formed his own non-political outfit

– Nagarik Adhikar Suraksha Sangathan (NASS).

The new body reportedly was formed in Melli, south Sikkim, at a meeting where Dhakal was elected the President of the new body. It came out in the open here yesterday at a press conference addressed by Dhakal and others.

The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front’s dissident leaders, Nima Theeng, Sonam Bhutia and Kiran Chettri, who recently quit the party and are believed to be close to dissident SDF legislator PS Tamang (Golay), are in the executive committee of the party. The chief coordinator of the Samiti is MN Dahal, brother of former Lok Sabha MP and SDF spokesperson, who recently retired from government service.

One of the main objectives of the Samiti at present is to oppose the recently-introduced Sikkim Prevention and Control of Disturbance of Public Order Bill, 2011, which has reportedly been withdrawn following massive protest by the Opposition, Dhakal said during the press conference.

Dhakal said the new body will also highlight rampant corruption in the State, will support Anna Hazare’s campaign against corruption and create general awareness of civil rights of the people.

The executive body of the Samiti is as follows: TN Dhakal (President), MN Dahal (Chief Coordinator), Sonam Bhutia (Coordinator), Nima Theeng, Birendra Subba, Tenzing Gyatso Bhutia and Hari Das Rai (Vice-President), Milan Rai (General Secretary), Kala Rai and Tshering Dorjee Bhutia (Joint-Secretary), Kiran Chettri (Publicity Secretary) and  Chinkazi Shrestha (Treasurer).

 The Samiti also has four convenors and eight vice-convenors: Deepen Hang Subba, Krishna Gurung, Bishnu Sharma and Palden Bhutia (Convenor) and RB Subba, Chewang Norbu Lepcha, Santosh Pradhan, Pawan Gurung, Yapchung Bhutia, Phurten Lepcha, Gopal Gurung and Ashok Pradhan (Vice-Convenor).

Many of the members of the Samiti’s executive committee, who quit the ruling party earlier, are with Golay. Dhakal, who has strong views on various issues relating to ‘Sikkim Subjects’, may be keeping the seat warm for Golay.

Gorkha League supports Sikkim-Darjeeling merger demand

By A Correspondent

Darjeeling, Aug 19: The All India Gorkha League (AIGL) has supported the Sikkim-Darjeeling merger demand raised by Sikkim-Darjeeling United Front (SDUF).

AIGL President Bharati Tamang said her party would soon convene a meeting on the issue of Darjeeling’s merger with Sikkim. She said her party first preferred a separate state of Gorkhaland and if this is not possible the next option would be to merge Darjeeling with Sikkim, where the Nepalese are in the majority.

The Front had urged the AIGL to support its demand during a press conference held in Siliguri on Sunday.

CPRM leader RB Rai was not opposed to the merger demand.  He said the initiative on the issue should come from the people of Sikkim.

The merger demand was one of the main issues raised by the Gorkha Rashtriya Congress (GRC), a unit of the SDUF, whose President, late D K Bomzan campaigned on the issue in Sikkim before he passed away in October 2010.

It was mainly due to the ongoing agitation in Darjeeling for the statehood demand and also because of the negative response on the merger issue from Sikkim and also because of the untimely death of the GRC leader that the issue was shelved temporarily.

CM wishes Bhandari speedy recovery

By A Staff Reporter

Gangtok, Aug 19: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling has wished speedy recovery for the former chief minister N B Bhandari who was referred to a hospital outside the State yesterday.

The Chief Minister met Bhandari before his departure for Delhi here at the STNM where he was being treated for heart ailments since August 10.

Besides inquiring about his health and wishing him speedy recovery, Chamling also asked the doctors to provide “best medial facilities and care” for the ailing Congress chief, according to an official release.

Bhandari has been referred to Medanta Medi City, Gurgoan, Haryana, by a panel of doctors of STNM Hospital for his further treatment.

Opp to go ahead with ‘Black Bill’ protest

Observer News Service

Gangtok, Aug 19: Despite the State Government’s decision to withdraw the controversial Sikkim Prevention and Control of Disturbance of Public Order Bill, 2011, labeled as the “Black Bill” by the Opposition, agitation against the Bill will continue.

This was decided during an all-party meeting held here yesterday. “Unless the Bill is withdrawn from the Assembly itself we will agitate against it,” said Biraj Adhikari, President of Sikkim National People’s Party (SNPP).

As per an official press release, the Bill, which was introduced in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling in his capacity as Home Minister on August 11, “has been decided to be withdrawn by the Government.”

“The very wording of the release seems unclear and confusing. Has the government withdrawn the Bill or is it a merely a decision to withdraw the Bill?” questioned a senior opposition leader.

Unconfirmed reports say that the Bill was withdrawn on the advice of the Governor, B P Singh, who met the Chief Minister informally on two occasions on August 15 during the I-Day celebrations.

It may be noted that the proposed withdrawal of the Bill followed three significant developments. Firstly, all Opposition parties, including the Congress and BJP, and some non-political organisations were united in opposition the “Black Bill”, which they said was aimed at suppression of democratic rights of free movement and expression guaranteed under the Constitution. Opposition leaders also decided to hold joint agitation all over the State on the issue.

Secondly, on August 14 on the eve of I-Day celebrations activists of Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad Party (SHRPP) burnt the effigy of the chief minister in the capital in protest against the Black Bill. This was followed by total boycott of Raj Bhavan I-Day high tea party hosted by the Governor by the Opposition.

CPI(M) leader Anjan Upadhyaya said the Opposition would continue with their agitation against the Bill. “We need to apprise the people of the real intentions of the government in introducing the Bill,” said Upadhyaya. “Till the Assembly resumes on August 26 and until the Bill is formally withdrawn from the House opposition parties will hold meetings all over the State to inform the people of the government’s nefarious intentions to curb the democratic rights of the people,” he added.

Democracy without dissent is totally unacceptable

Jigme N Kazi

Gangtok, Aug 19: Dissent was almost effectively and formally suppressed in the former Himalayan kingdom that reluctantly embraced ‘democracy’ three and half decades back.

The man who seventeen years ago protested against former chief minister Nar Bahadur Bhandari’s corrupt and dictatorial regime last week tabled The Sikkim Prevention and Control of Disturbance of Public Order Bill in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly. The Bill seeks to curb basic fundamental democratic rights of the people enshrined in the Constitution.

“We got democracy in exchange of our sovereignty,” said Chief Minister Pawan Chamling when he led the movement for restoration of democracy in the State in 1993-94. The pro-democracy and anti-Bhandari movement led to Bhandari’s defeat in the November 1994 Assembly polls that saw Chamling form his Sikkim Democratic Front government in December 1994. The tide has turned full circle now. Chamling has now been accused of corruption and dictatorial tendencies, two major issues he used to unseat Bhandari.

The Congress party-initiated CBI case against Chamling and his present and former ministers is presently with the Supreme Court. Pressure for CBI probe against Chamling’s disproportionate assets case is mounting by the day and the four-term chief minister is placed in a tight situation.

Reacting to what the Opposition termed as the “Black Bill”, Acting President of Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee Kunga Nima Lepcha said the “draconian” Bill was a “conspiracy” of the ‘Sikkim Autocratic Front’ government’s bid to suppress any form of opposition and dissent in the State against the “misdeeds and anti-people activities” of the Chamling Government.

In a rare show of unity Opposition leaders boycotted the Governor’s tea party on Independence day.  The decision to boycott the official function of the Raj Bhavan was taken during a hurriedly-held meeting of the Opposition here a day after the Bill was tabled in the House by Chamling, also the Home Minister.

Sikkim National People’s Party President Biraj Adhikari said opposition parties have decided to hold protest rallies in the State to oppose the “dictatorial” proposal of the ruling party.

Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad Party (SHRPP) led by its President AD Subba, who took part in the meeting, said party workers burnt Chamling’s effigy in west Sikkim in protest against the Bill.

SHRPP members again torched Chamling’s effigy in Gangtok on the eve of the I-Day celebrations. According to SHRPP General Secretary Tara Shrestha, police arrested 8 party workers in connection with the incident.

“The Black Bill is unacceptable in a democracy. It is aimed at throttling the voice of the people,” said CPIM leader Anjan Upadhyaya said

Sikkim BJP President Padam Bahadur Chettri while condemning the Bill as “undemocratic” appealed to dissident SDF leader and MLA PS Tamang to raise the issue in the Assembly  when it comes up for discussion on August 26. But as all the 32 MLAs in the Assembly belong to the ruling party there is not much that Tamang can do to stop the smooth passage of the Bill.

The Sikkim Liberation Party (SLP) Convenor, Duk Nath Nepal, said by introducing the Bill in the Assembly the Chamling Government has proved that it has lost “faith” in the “Indian Constitution” and the “system of constitutional democracy.”

N B Khatiwada, one of the chief architects of Sikkim’s merger, who is presently with the Sikkim Gorkha Prajatantrik Party (SGPP), while supporting opposition to the Bill, said, “The Black Bill is the most unfortunate move of the SDF government. This is a Bill to suppress the freedom of expression of the people.”

Leaders of the Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) and All Sikkim Educated Self-Employed & Unemployed Association were also present during the all-party meeting.

The Opposition is no mood to submit itself to the new law. “We will hold rallies, carry black flags and shout slogans to oppose the Black Bill,” threatened Adhikari. Opposition leaders have decided to carry on with their anti-Bill agitation even after the Bill was reportedly withdrawn by the government on August 16 on the advice of the Governor.

The Bill seeks to curtail freedom of expression and movement in the State by imposing heavy penalties. Anyone who engages in rallies, processions, hunger strikes, shouting slogans, waving black flags and thereby disturbing public  peace and order will be fined Rs 50,000 and sent to jail for five years.

Those who take part in extortions, drug abuse, employ children for household work, and children under 18 years caught smoking, visiting bars and discotheques would also face severe punishment under the Bill.

Recently, four members of the SDF’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) quit the party in protest against Chamling’s “undemocratic and autocratic” style of functioning. “Presently, no ones voice is heard apart from yours in the party,” their resignation letter to Chamling, who is also the party president, said. It added, “Those who give good suggestions are labeled as anti-party.” 

Hopefully, the Black Bill will be withdrawn when the Assembly resumes on August 26. But the evil intentions behind this piece of legislation cannot be easily erased or pardoned.

Editorial

NATIONAL REFERRENDUM

Parliamentarians Need To Be Taught A Lesson

The manner in which the UPA Government, more particularly its Congress ministers and spokespersons, over the issue of corruption not only reflects the bankruptcy of its political leadership to tackle with such grave issues but further exposes the rot in our parliamentary system. Several highly-placed elected members of the Parliament seem to think that since they have been voted to the House they can do whatever they like in the name of “parliamentary democracy” and “law and order”. In this country the Constitution is supreme and not the Parliament. If our MPs continue to suppress the just and democratic aspirations of the people for a more transparent and accountable system of governance that checks the growing corruption in the administration and in the daily life of the citizens then there ought to be a nationwide referendum against a corrupt and incompetent government at the Centre.

The hollowness and the hypocricy of the UPA leadership in dealing with the Lokpal Bill and Team Anna is evident to all except for those few who feel that, because they have been elected to the Parliament, have the right to illegally and unjustifiably clamp down heavily on those who do not agree with them. When Yoga Guru Ramdev protested and demanded that black money be brought back to the country the authorities started digging into his and his aide’s past with a view to placing them behind bars. Even Anna was not spared and he has been accused of misappropriation of funds. Instead of responding positively to the sane voice of civil society and cracking down on the corrupt the UPA government’s prime motive seems to be to harass and victimize those who are exposing the corrupt. How stupid and immature they can be? Don’t they realize that it is they who are being exposed in the process? Hypocrites have a way of lying in a mild manner and some of those at the top seems to have perfected this art. In India’s second fight for freedom the first agenda should be to replace the present lot of parliamentarians by better and more responsive representatives of the people. We’ve had enough of this farce; it cannot and must not go on and on forever. Its time for the corrupt to make their final exit as soon as possible through the court of the people.

Bhutia-Lepchas wish Sonia, Bhandari speedy recovery

Observer News Service

Gangtok, Aug 19: The minority Bhutia and Lepcha tribals in the State have prayed for speedy recovery of Congress President and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and former Chief Minister Nar Bahadur Bhandari, who are undergoing medical treatment in the US and Delhi respectively.

While Sonia is recovering from her recent operation in the US, Bhandari, who was under medical treatment here at the STNM hospital for heart ailments, has been taken to Delhi as his health deteriorated after he was hospitalized here on August 10.

In a message, the Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) Convenor Tseten Tashi Bhutia, said the organization “prays for the early recovery” of both and “aspires that Guru Rinpoche and all the guardian deities of Sikkim bestow the most perfect state of sound health.”

PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW People Have A Right To Know

GORKHALAND TERRITORIAL ADMINISTRATION

Memorandum of Agreement

Whereas the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) has been demanding for quite sometime

past a separate State of Gorkhaland for the hill areas of Darjeeling district including some areas of Siliguri Terai and Dooars (hereinafter referred to as the Region) ;

And

Whereas both the Government of India and the Government of West Bengal have

repeatedly emphasized the need for keeping the region as an integral part of the State of West Bengal ;

And

Whereas after several rounds of tripartite meetings at the ministerial and at the official

levels, the GJM, while not dropping their demand for a separate State of Gorkhaland, has agreed to the setting up of an autonomous Body (hereinafter referred to as the new Body) empowered with administrative, financial and executive powers in regard to various subjects to be transferred to the said Body for the development of the region and restoration of peace and normalcy there at;

And

Whereas the objective of this Agreement is to establish an autonomous self governing

Body to administer the region so that the socio-economic, infrastructural, educational, cultural, and linguistic, development is expedited and the ethnic identity of Gorkhas established, thereby achieving all round development of the people of the region;

And

Whereas all issues including issues relating to transfer of subjects to the new Body have

been agreed in various tripartite meetings at the official level;

And

Whereas after several round of Tripartite discussions between the Government of India,

the Government of West Bengal and the GJM, an agreement was reached in respect of all the issues;

Now, therefore, the Government of India, the Government of West Bengal and the GJM,

keeping on record the demand of the GJM for a separate State of Gorkhaland, agree as follows:-

1) An autonomous Body, which shall be called the Gorkhaland Territorial

Administration (GTA), will be formed through direct election. A Bill for this purpose

will be introduced in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly ;

2) While under the provisions of the Constitution transfer of legislative powers to the

new Body is not possible, the power to frame rules / regulations under the State Acts

to control, regulate and administer the departments / offices and subjects transferred

to the new Body will be conferred upon the new Body ;

3) The administrative, executive and financial powers in respect of the subjects

transferred will be vested in such a way that the new Body may function in an

autonomous and effective way ;

4) The subjects alongwith all Departments / Offices to be transferred to the new Body is

appended as Annexure – ‘A’.

5) The area of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration shall comprise the areas of the

entire sub-divisions of Darjeeling, Kalimpong with extended areas of Kurseong. In

regard to transfer of additional areas of Siliguri Terai and Dooars to the new Body, a

High-Powered Committee will be formed comprising four representatives of GJM,

three representatives of the State Government (one from the Home Department; the

District Magistrate, Darjeeling; the District Magistrate, Jalpaiguri); the Director of

Census Operations representing Government of India, apart from the Chairman of the

Committee to be appointed by the State Government. The Chairperson of the Board

of Administrators, DGHC will be the convener of this Committee. The Committee

will look into the question of identification of additional areas in Siliguri Terai and

Dooars that may be transferred to the new Body, having regard to their compactness,

contiguity, homogeneity, ground level situation and other relevant factors.

The Committee will be expected to give its recommendations within a short period, preferably within six months of its constitution.

6) The work of this High-Powered Committee will run parallel to the electoral process

which will be based on the existing area delimitation. However, the empowering

statute will have a provision for transfer of the additional areas from Siliguri Terai

and Dooars that may be agreed upon, based on the recommendation of this

Committee.

7) In regard to transfer of all forests including reserved forest, it was agreed that the State

Government will make a reference to the Central Government on the issue of

reserved forest as the power delegated to the State Government under the Central

statute cannot be delegated to any other authority straightaway. However, all offices

catering to the unreserved forests under the jurisdiction of GTA would also be

transferred to GTA.

8) Regarding Tribal status to Gorkhas except the Scheduled Castes, the GJM or any

organisation representing the Gorkhas will make an application to the Backward

Classes Welfare Department of the State Government, which is the authority to

process such claims. The Department, upon receiving such application supported by

necessary documents will conduct a study through the Cultural Research Institute,

Kolkata. After examination by the Department, the matter will be referred to the

National Commission for Scheduled Tribes. The recommendations already submitted

to the National Commission will be followed up by the State Government. The

Government of India will consider for granting ST status to all the Gorkhas excepting

SC.

9) In regard to regularization of all ad-hoc, casual, daily wage workers of DGHC,

regularization by way of outright absorption is not feasible due to the current legal

position as enunciated by the Hon’ble Supreme Court. However, those employees

who have put in 10 years of continuous service would be guided by the Finance

Department’s order of 23rd April, 2010. Those outside this ambit would be extended

an enhancement in wages. This would be equivalent to 75% of the remuneration

admissible under the order of the Finance Department subject to a minimum of

5,000/- per month for those who have not completed 10 years of continuous service.

As and when they complete 10 years of continuous service, they will be eligible for

the full benefit in terms of the order of 23rd April, 2010. The employees will,

however, have the liberty to apply for normal recruitment to any other posts of State

Government. It was also agreed that the State Government will make necessary

financial provisions for bearing the additional non-plan expenditure for this purpose.

10) There shall be a GTA Sabha for the GTA. There shall be a Chairman and Deputy

Chairman to conduct the business of Council. The GTA Sabha shall consist of fortyfive

elected members and five members to be nominated by the Governor to give

representation to members of SC, ST, women and minority communities. The M.Ps,

M.L.As, and Chairpersons of municipality(s) of the region shall be Ex-officio

Members to this GTA Sabha. The term of the GTA shall be five years.

11) The Executive Body shall consist of a Chief Executive who will nominate fourteen

members out of the elected / nominated members as Executive Member. One of them

shall be the Deputy Chief to be nominated by the Chief Executive.

12) Every member of the GTA shall before taking seat make and subscribe before the

Governor or one of the elected members appointed in that behalf by him an oath or

affirmation. The Chief Executive shall be administered an oath or affirmation by the

Governor.

13) There shall be a Principal Secretary of the GTA, who shall be of the rank of the

Principal Secretary/Secretary to the State Government and who shall be selected by

the Chief Executive from the panel sent by the State Government and shall be paid

from the GTA Fund such salaries and allowances as may be fixed by the State

Government. The Principal Secretary once deputed to the GTA shall not be

transferred for a period of at least two years without the consent of the GTA.

14) The Government of India and the Government of West Bengal will provide all

possible assistance to the GTA for the overall development of the region. The

Government of India will provide financial assistance of Rs. 200 crore (Rupees Two

Hundred Crore) per annum for 3 years for projects to develop the socio-economic

infrastructure in GTA over and above the normal plan assistance to the State of West

Bengal. A list of projects which may be considered to be taken up by the GTA is at

Annexure ‘B1’. List of projects to be separately taken up by the GTA with the

State/Central Government is at ‘B2’.

15) The Government of India/ State Government will provide one time financial

assistance required for development of administrative infrastructure viz., GTA Sabha

House, Secretariat Complex and the residential quarters for the elected members of

GTA and the senior officers.

16) The allocation sanctioned in the budget of GTA and all funds sanctioned by the State

or the Union Government which remain unspent at the close of the financial year

shall be taken into account for the purpose of providing additional resources in the

Budget of the following year or years and the fund requirements will be met on a

yearly basis.

17) The Government of West Bengal shall provide formula based plan fund with 60 per

cent weightage on population and the balance weightage on area backwardness, hill

areas and border areas in two equal installments every year for executing

development works.

18) The Government of West Bengal shall provide Non-plan grant including provisions

for bearing the additional Non-plan expenditure for existing employees payable in

two installments in respect of the offices / departments transferred to GTA.

19) The fund received from the Government of India shall not be diverted and the State

Government shall release the fund in time.

20) The GTA will have the power of creating Group B, C and D posts with the approval

of Governor. The recruitment to Group B, C and D posts will be through a

Subordinate Service Selection Board to be set up for this purpose.

21) The State Public Service Commission shall be consulted for the recruitment of Group

‘A’ officers.

22) The State Government will set-up a separate School Service Commission, College

Service Commission; open an office of the Regional Pension and Provident Fund

Directorate; and set up an office for Registration of land, building etc., marriage,

society etc. in the GTA area, subject to extant rules and regulations.

23) The Governor of West Bengal shall obtain a report on the functioning of the GTA and cause that report to be laid on the table of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly

annually.

24) The Government of West Bengal will initiate action to re-organize / re-constitute the

territorial jurisdictions of sub-divisions and blocks.

25) The GTA, once established, will separately take up the issues relating to grant of

incentives, subsidies, waiver of taxes and tariff and other benefits as appropriate to

the region’s backwardness, with the Central and State Governments.

26) A three-tier Panchayat will be constituted by elections in the GTA region, subject to

the provisions of Part IX of the Constitution of India. Notwithstanding anything

contained in the West Bengal Panchayat Act 1973, or the West Bengal Municipal

Act, 1993, the GTA shall exercise general powers of supervision over the Panchayats

and the Municipalities.

27) Since the formation of new authority will take some time and since the developmental works in the hills, which have already suffered badly, cannot be allowed to suffer further, there will be a Board of Administrators in DGHC which would be fully

empowered to exercise all the powers and functions of the Chief Executive Councilor

under the DGHC Act, 1988 and to decide on the much needed developmental works

in the hills. The Board of Administrators will comprise MLA, Darjeeling; MLA,

Kureong ; MLA, Kalimpong ; District Magistrate, Darjeeling and Administrator,

DGHC in keeping with the provisions of the sub-section (1) of Section 17 of the

DGHC Act as amended vide Kolkata Gazette Notification of 22nd March, 2005.

28) The GJM agrees to ensure that peace and normalcy will be maintained in the region.

29) A review will be done by the State Government of all the cases registered under

various laws against persons involved in the GJM agitation. Steps will be taken in the

light of the review, not to proceed with prosecution in all cases except those charged

with murder. Release of persons in custody will follow the withdrawal of cases.

30) The GTA youth would be considered for recruitment in the Police, Army and Para

Military Forces subject to their suitability for such appointment.

31) The implementation of the provision of the Memorandum of Agreement shall be

periodically reviewed by a committee representing the Government of India,

Government of West Bengal and GJM.

32) The Government of West Bengal shall repeal the DGHC Act, 1988 along with

formation of GTA to be constituted by an Act of the legislature.

Signed on 18th July, 2011 at Darjeeling in the presence of Shri P. Chidambaram, Hon’ble

Union Home Minister and Mamata Banerjee, Hon’ble Chief Minister, West Bengal.

(Dr. G.D. Gautama)                                                                                 (Shri Rooshan Giri )

Additional Chief Secretary,                                                                        General Secretary,

Home & Hill Affairs Department                                                  Gorkha Janmukti Morcha

Government of West Bengal                                                                for and on behalf of the

for and on behalf of the                                                                     Gorkha Janmukti Morcha

Government of West Bengal

(Shri K.K. Pathak)

Joint Secretary to the Government of India

Ministry of Home Affairs

for and on behalf of the

Government of India

Sikkim Observer Aug 15, 2011

HIGH COURT CONVICTS BHANDARI, SENT TO JAIL

I may float a regional party: Bhandari

Jigme N Kazi

Gangtok, Aug 14: Former Chief Minister and State Congress President Nar Bahadur Bhandari has threatened to quit the Congress party and float a regional party to give a new direction to State politics.

Aggrieved by the Congress high command’s neglect over charges of corruption leveled against him by the CBI that led to Tuesday’s verdict of the High Court of Sikkim sentencing him to one month’s imprisonment, Bhandari said the Congress party had conspired against him in the case. “I will not go for an appeal. I will go to jail instead,” he said.

“When I come out of jail next month I may float a regional party and get involved in politics in a big way,” he threatened.

After submitting himself in the court on Wedesday, as directed by the High Court, Bhandari reported to the jail authorities and was subsequently hospitalized in the STNM hospital here. He was having some heart problems and was placed in the cardiology section of the hospital here.

After battling in the courts for 27 years in corruption cases initiated by the CBI the Sikkim High Court headed by Acting Chief Justice SP Wangdi on Tuesday sentenced the former chief minister to one month’s imprisonment for causing loss to the State exchequer to the tune of Rs 2,14,120 when he was the chief minister.

In this case, Bhandari and P K Pradhan, former chief secretary, who then headed the Rural Development Department, were accused of favouring some local contractors in the award of contract works in 1983-84 during  Bhandari’s first term in office.

Bhandari and others appealed to the High Court after the designated CBI court convicted them in 2008 and sentenced them to six months’ imprisonment.

While reducing his jail term from six to only one month, the High Court also acquitted Bhandari in another disproportionate assets case that relate to Primula Cottage,  Bhandari’s  residence in Gangtok before he became chief minister in 1979.

After ousting Bhandari, who headed a Congress government, from power in 1984 and then taking over as Chief Minister, the 13-day-old BB Gurung government allowed the CBI to come to Sikkim and probe into corruption charges against  Bhandari.

Bhandari was a Congress chief minister when he was asked to step down because of the CBI cases in May 1984. When he refused to do so he was sacked by the Governor Homi J. Taleyarkhan. A born fighter,  Bhandari  fought back, quit the Congress party and formed his own political outfit – Sikkim Sangram Parishad. (SSP).

In the March 1985 Assembly polls Bhandari returned to power triumphantly winning 30 of the 32 seats in Assembly, leaving the Congress with only one seat; the other went to an independent candidate, Balchand Sarda, who won from Gangtok.

The SSP won all the 32 seats in the 1989 Assembly polls. However, Bhandari failed to complete his third consecutive term in office. Dissidence within the SSP led to his untimely downfall in May 1994 over the income tax issue.

In August 2003, Bhandari returned to the Congress party and headed the Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee as the President following the SSP’s merger with the Congress party.

Though the Congress party drew nil in the 2009 Assembly polls the party managed to secure nearly 30 per cent of the votes polled. Almost the same percentage of votes was secured in 2004 Assembly polls after Bhandari took over the party in 2003. The Congress party won the lone Sangha seat in 2004 Assembly polls.

Prior to Bhandari’s entry into the Congress in 2003 the party failed to get more than 4 per cent of votes polled. So far the Congress party, which was responsible for Sikkim’s merger, has never won a single Assembly polls in the State. The party formed the government through the backdoor in 1981, when Bhandari’s Sikkim Janta Parishad merged with the Congress, and in 1994, when dissidents led by Sanchaman Limboo (he became SM for six months – May – November 1994) within the SSP toppled the Bhandari government.

“Bhandari is at his best when he is struggling and fighting. He is a wounded tiger now,” said an observer. Though many want him to quit the Congress and launch his own party there are others who want him to stay in the Congress.

Team Anna firm on fast over bill from Aug 16

Observer News Service

New Delhi, Aug 12: Team Anna declared on Thursday that there would be no going back on its stand on Lokpal bill, and the Gandhian would go on fast from August 16 to demand a strong bill.

The Core Committee of India Against Corruption met on Thursday morning to finalise the strategy of the movement which starts with this fast.

Team Anna had to come out with this clarification following a statement of Swami Agnivesh on Wednesday on a national TV channel in which he asserted that the team was “very very flexible” on issues like inclusion of prime minister or higher judiciary in the  ambit of the Lokpal but the sticking point is bringing lower bureaucracy in it.

“We are not ready to compromise with anyone till our demands are met. The deadlock continues. We are open for any dialogue but there is no invitation from the government yet,” said Arvind Kejriwal.

Though Team Anna is sticking to its position, it is also reciprocating to the government’s soft gestures. The team has shown openness to any dialogue with the government. Apart from demonstrating its firmness in their stand on Lokpal, Anna’s team is trying to answer Congress’ allegation of its proximity to Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh.

India Against Corruption organised an all-religion prayer meeting at Jantar Mantar in the evening which was attended by Hindu, Muslim and Christian priests who supported the anti-graft movement. Meanwhile, the anti-graft agitators have started preparing for the Gandhian’s fast at the Jaiprakash Narayan Park near Feroz Shah Kotla cricket ground in central Delhi.

 Anna threatened to stop drinking water if the government arrested him before or during the fast and tried to force feed him.

Opp to boycott Raj Bhavan I-Day function on ‘Black Bill’

Observer News Service

Gangtok, Aug 14: Opposition parties in the State, including Congress and BJP, are all set to boycott Raj Bhavan’s I-Day high tea function in protest against the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front’s ‘Black Bill’ tabled in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly by Chief Minsiter Pawan Chamling on Thursday.

Reacting against the introduction of the controversial Sikkim Prevention and Control of Disturbance of Public Order Bill, leaders of Opposition parties and social organisations not only condemned what they termed as the ‘Black Bill’ but also decided to boycott the high tea invitation of the Governor, BP Singh, on the Independence Day.

In a joint press conference held here on Wednesday, opposition leaders said the provisions of the Bill violated the fundamental democratic constitutional rights of the people.

Sikkim National People’s Party President Biraj Adhikari said opposition parties has decided to hold protest rallies in the State to oppose the “dictatorial” proposal of the ruling party.

Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad Party (SHRPP) led by its President AD Subba, who took part in the meeting, said party workers burnt Chamling’s effigy in west Sikkim  in protest agains the “Black Bill”.

According to SHRPP General Secretary Tara Shrestha, police arrested 8 party workers here today after they burnt the chief minister’s effigy below the main bazaar.

The Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee’s Acting President Kunga Nima Lepcha has appealed to the Governor to “save democracy” from the acts of the ‘Sikkim Autocratic Front’ (Sikkim Democratic Front).

In a press statement, the SPCC said the “hurried manner” in which the “draconian and conspiratorial” Bill was introduced in the House is aimed at curtailing “all oppositions” against the “misdeeds and anti-people activities” of the Chamling Government.

CPIM leader Anjan Upadhyaya said, “The Black Bill is unacceptable in a democracy. It is aimed at throttling the voice of the people.”

Sikkim BJP President Padam Bahadur Chettri while condemning the Bill as “undemocratic” appealed to dissident SDF leader and MLA PS Tamang to raise the issue in the Assembly and stop passage of the Bill. There is no opposition legislators in the 32-member House.

Representative of Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) and All Sikkim Educated Self-Employed and Unemployed Association also took part in the joint meeting of the Opposition.

The Bill, which will be debated in the House on August 26, seeks to curtail freedom of expression and movement in the State by imposing heavy penalties. Anyone who engages in rallies, processions, hunger strikes, shouting slogans, waving black flags and thereby disturbing public  peace and order will be fined Rs 50,000 and sent to jail for five years.

Those who take part in extortions, drug abuse, employ children for household work, and children under 18 years caught smoking, visiting bars and discotheques would also face severe punishment under the Bill.

SHRPP burns Chamling’s effigy, 8 arrested

By A Staff Reporter

Gangtok, Aug 14: Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad Party (SHRPP) burnt the effigy of Chief Minister Pawan Chamling here today in protest against the  ‘Black Bill’, the Sikkim Prevention & Control of Disturbances of Public Order Bill.

The Bill was introduced in the House by the Chief Minister on Thursday.

SHRPP members burnt the effigy at Sisa Golai at around I p.m. on the national highway. Shouting slogans against the Chief Minister party supporters demanded immediate withdrawal of the Bill aimed at curbing public nuisance.

For about 20 minutes the highway was blocked as party supporters were actively participating in the protest.

Briefing reporters, SHRPP General Secretary Tara Shrestha said 8 party workers were arrested by the police during the protest.

Shrestha said Chamling’s effigy was burnt in Yuksam, Sikkim’s first capital on Friday.

He said the party will continue with the anti-Black Bill campaign until its withdrawal. He said the Bill was against the people and the constitution.

SNPP demands Bhandari’s release, says he is “pro-Sikkim”

Observer News Service

Gangtok, Aug 14: The Sikkim National People’s Party (SNPP) has decided to launch a State-wide campaign for the immediate release of former Chief Minister Nar Bahadur Bhandari, who was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment by the Sikkim High Court.

SNPP President Biraj Adhikari appealed to political parties and social organisations and the people in general to support the campaign for Bhandari’s immediate release.

During its meeting held here on Wednesday, a day after the conviction, the party said President Pratibha Patil should be approached “to grant amnesty” to Bhandari (71), who is also the President of Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC), according to press release of the party.

While the party “respects the decision” of the High Court it objected to the manner the case was conducted and the lengthy process that took nearly three decades.

Adhikari said, “While the CBI has convicted an ex-chief minister, it is not being allowed to probe into charges of corruption against the present Chief Minister (Pawan Chamling).”

“The fact is that there are two laws operating in Sikkim; one for the government and one for the opposition,” Adhikari said.

Describing  Bhandari as  “pro-Sikkim” and the “real leader” of the people, 

“who held Sikkimese interest in his heart and never compromised with them as compared to today’s situation, where the massive influx and hijacking of the economy and political rights by outsiders has become a normal feature,” the SNPP has urged political parties, social organisations and others to appeal for Bhandari’s immediate release.

Bhandari, who was convicted by the Sikkim High Court headed by Acting Chief Justice SP Wangdi here on Tuesday in a corruption case leveled by the CBI in 1984 when he was the chief minister, was on Wednesday hospitalized after he reported to the jail where he was to undergo a month’s imprisonment. Presently, he is being kept in the ICU section of the cardiology department of the STNM hospital here.

Thank you for your show of “solidarity & concern”: SPCC

“Vested interests trying to cause rift within Congress”

Observer News Service

Gangtok, Aug 14: While expressing its “deep gratitude” to “well-wishers” and “members of the press” for showing their “solidarity and concern” for Congress President Nar Bahadur Bhandari during the time of “distress and difficulty”, the State unit of the Congress said there was a conspiracy by “vested interests” to cause “rift” within the Congress party.

A press release issued by SPCC General Secretary D B Basnet after Bhandari’s conviction on Tuesday, said Bhandari has accepted the High Court verdict that sentenced him to one month’s imprisonment “sportingly.”

The party “wishes to express its deep gratitude to all well-wishers and members of the press for showing their solidarity and concern” for the former chief minister “during the time of distress and difficulty,” the release said.

Following Bhandari’s conviction “certain group of vested interests is trying to bring rift” within the Congress party in the State, the release said.

It made reference to newsitems and contents in ‘Letter to the Editor’ column of two local Nepali and English dailies, which alleged that SPCC Vice-President Kunga Nima Lepcha is being projected by a “lobby” within the SPCC to replace Bhandari as party chief.

The release added that those who were bent on creating “misunderstanding” within the Congress party with an ulterior motive should note Lepcha’s dedication and loyalty to the party chief and his “sincerity” in the PIL on corruption filed by him in the Supreme Court against Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and others.

Lepcha “is an asset and not a burden” to the party and “no force can disturb” the party’s “unity and solidarity,” the release said.

Cong dissidents sympathize with Bhandari, tells him not to blame party, govt

Observer News Service

Gangtok, Aug 14: Dissident Congress leader KN Upreti has objected to SPCC President N B Bhandari blaming the UPA government and the Congress party for his “misfortune” on being convicted by the Sikkim High Court for corruption and misuse of power.

Upreti, who was a minister in the Bhandari Cabinet during the former chief minister’s second and third  terms in office (1985-1994), said many “Congress stalwarts” were facing corruption charges leveled by the CBI and the party and the UPA government are helpless and unable to do anything.

In a press release issued after a meeting of the dissident faction of the party, Upreti said, “… the meeting expresses shock for his uncalled for remarks blaming the UPA Govt. and the Congress party for his misfortune. The meeting strongly condemns the irrelevant statement and say that neither the centre nor the State Congress party has any role to play in his conviction by the court of law as this is purely a legal battle under the absolute domain of the judiciary.”

Notable among those present in the meeting were Phuchung Bhutia, Laxuman Gurung, Arun Rai and Nima Wangchuk.

The dissident group also sought clarification from Bhandari on his reported remarks such as “Resolve to teach Congress a Lesson” after he was convicted.

Was such remarks “intentional” or a reflection of his “frustration”, Upreti asked.

The meeting, however, noted that it felt “sorry for the conviction” and expressed “sympathy” with Bhandari.

Cong raises Chamling’s CBI case in Supreme Court

Observer News Service

Gangtok, Aug 14: The Supreme Court has asked the State Government to respond to a petition filed by a State Congress leader urging the apex court to annul a decision taken last year by the State Government disallowing the CBI to probe into charges of corruption against Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and his past and present cabinet colleagues.

The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) spokesperson  Bhim Dahal has admitted that the apex court had issued a notice to the State Government to submit its argument in response to the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Sikkim Pradesh Congress Vice-President Kunga Nima Lepcha.

While briefing the media here on Saturday, Dahal said corruption cases against the Chief Minister and his cabinet colleagues were “politically-motivated.” He added that petitions against members of the ruling party was based on “fake statements” aimed at “inflicting mental pressure” on the Chief Minister and his family members.

Former Chief Minister and Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC) President  Nar Bahadur Bhandari, who is under increasing pressure to go against Chamling on the corruption issue, said the Congress party was compelled to move the apex court since the State Government issued a notification last year disallowing the CBI to probe into charges of corruption against Chamling & Co.

 Bhandari had earlier stated that the State Government’s refusal to allow the CBI to probe into charges of corruption against Chamling was proof enough that the accused are guilty and are trying to save their skin.

According to Congress sources, the CBI had approached the State Government to allow it to probe into corruption charges against Chamling and others after it found prima-facie case following its preliminary investigation.

Bhandari had also appealed to Governor BP Singh to use his special power under Article 371F of the Constitution and dismiss the Chamling Government for gross economic misconduct and also to ensure free and fair investigation.

State Congress leaders approached the CBI against Chamling after the Supreme Court dismissed their petition in March 2010. The apex court directed the petitioners to approach investigating agencies with the “incriminating material.”

In March 2010, the Supreme Court dismissed a petition seeking a CBI probe into alleged disproportionate assets case against Chamling.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan directed petitioner Kunga Nima Lepcha to approach the investigating agencies concerned if he had any such grievance. The court directed the petitioner that if he felt he had sufficient material, he could place it before the probe agencies under the relevant provisions of the Cr.PC.

    Subsequently, the SPCC approached the CBI after getting “green signal” from the Congress high command. State Congress leaders had threatened to move the Supreme Court if the authorities are not responsive on the CBI case.

Bhandari had earlier stated that the CBI does not need permission from the State Government to conduct probe in the State. The former chief minister said he would re-double his efforts on the CBI case against Chamling after he completes his jail sentence next month.

EDITORIAL

‘AUTUMN UPRISING’

The Gathering Storm

No one thought that former Chief Minister N B Bhandari would spring back to life politically with the CBI, Pawan Chamling and vested interests gunning for his blood. Ironicallly, the Sikkim High Court’s verdict placing Bhandari in jail for a month has almost united anti-Chamling forces in the State. Because of the verdict there is a visible show of support and sympathy for the 71-year-old man, who still remains Chamling’s arch rival. Even those who suffered heavily under the Bhandari regime in the ’80s and ’90s have openly criticized Chamling while sympathizing with Bhandari. While one of the chief architects of Sikkim’s ‘merger’, Nar Bahadur Khatiwada, alleged that Bhandari, who suffers from heart ailments, was not being properly looked after in the government hospital where he is being treated and even threatened that the government would be held responsible if his health deteriorates, former ruling party general secretary Biraj Adhikari, who now heads his own political outfit (Sikkim National People’s Party), has urged all, including political parties, to campaign for Bhandari’s early release. Adhikari’s accusation that while the CBI has targeted Bhandari it has refrained from probing into charges of corruption against Chamling will surely ring an echo in the hearts of many Sikkimese.

While many in Congress circles believe that the former chief minister would come out strongly politically – and hopefully a bit wiser – after his release next month, the ageing politician has indicated that he may float a regional party to take on the powers-that-be. Whether this is just an emotional outburst or a well-calculated move is yet to be seen. Already, the Opposition has come together in taking on Chamling on the proposed “Black Bill”, which will surely turn Sikkim into a ‘Police State’ if ever it gets passed in the House. Dissident ruling party leader and legislator P S Tamang is expected to make the best of the fluid political situation in the House and out of it by striking the right note with disgruntled elements. With Congress party and others in Sikkim ready and eager to take on Chamling head-on on the corruption issue and the proposed ‘Black Bill’ the State seems poised to witness an Autumn Uprising in the tiny Himalayan State. If anti-Chamling protests with black flags, rallies, slogans etc, as promised by Opposition leaders, become a reality after the draconian Bill is passed next week then the authorities must be prepared for more than one person in Rongyek central jail from next month.

Bob Khathing: The Man Who Brought Tawang Under India

Dirang Dzong in Arunachal was under Tibetan administration long after the Indian tricolour had been hoisted at the Red Fort on 15 August 1947.

YAMBEM LABA

TAWANG was lately in the news because of the unfortunate demise of Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Dorjee Khandu, who hailed from the area, in an unfortunate helicopter crash. But last year Tawang made headlines for a totally different reason: China’s reassertion of its claim over the area prompted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to declare time and again that Arunachal Pradesh was an integral part of India. The Chinese claim is nothing new. In 1962, they attacked India and occupied the entire area, almost reaching the foothills near Tezpur. The abrupt Indian withdrawal then prompted Jawaharalal Nehru’s infamous statement that “my heart goes out to the people of Assam”, meaning that the Indian Army was withdrawing to defend the Indian mainland, leaving Assam and the entire North-east to the Chinese.

Why that country withdrew thereafter is for contemporary historians to ponder, but the fact remains that as late as 1951 the entire area up to Dirang Dzong was under Tibetan administration, long after the Indian tricolour had been hoisted at the Red Fort on 15 August 1947. Dzong in Tibetan means a fort, where sat the magistrates or dzongpens to administer the area. That is why the Chinese had once stated that Tawang would have been their territory had it not been for Manipuri adventurer Major Bob Khathing who, in 1951, occupied the area for India. The truth is that while the McMahon Line was laid as early as 1914 between British India and Tibet, with the Chinese refusing to participate in the deliberations, it had never been demarcated —  meaning the border lines were never laid out on the ground. That was when Khathing became a legend in his own lifetime.

Born Ranenglao Khathing on 28 February 1912 in Manipur’s Ukhrul district, he was a Tangkhul Naga. He studied initially at Sir Johnstone High School in Imphal, completed his matriculation from Shillong and later joined Cotton College in Guwahati. Though he failed to clear his BA examinations in 1936, he was determined not to return home until he had his degree. So he went to Harasingha in Assam’s Darrang district, founded a middle elementary school and planted a tree that stands to this day. He cleared his examinations in 1937, the same year SJ Duncan, the British subdivisional officer of Ukhrul, asked him to come back and teach. By 1939, Khathing was serving as headmaster of Ukhrul High School, and when World War II broke out over Europe and soon found reflections across Asia, he bade the blackboard farewell and enrolled at the Officer’s Training School.

Commissioned into the 9/11 Hyderabad Regiment, he had General Thimaya as his company commander and there was another person who was later to became Chief of Army Staff — General TN Raina. By 1942, Khathing was transferred to the newly raised Assam Regiment in Shillong and became a captain. It was in the officer’s mess at Jorhat that he acquired the name Bob. Apparently the Americans found it difficult to pronounce “Ranenglao” and instead called him Robert, then truncated that to Bob. It was also at this time that the Allied Forces fighting the Japanese decided to raise V-Force, a guerrilla outfit like Wingate’s famed Chindits but comprising hill people of the region, led by an Allied officer. These people, because of the topography and their ability to live off the land, sometimes operated 150 miles from the nearest supply base and inflicted heavy casualties on the Japanese behind their own lines, acting as a screen for the 14th Army of the Allied forces.

Khathing was sent to command a V-Force group in the Ukhrul area, his happy hunting ground. He shed his army tunic, shaved his head like a typical Tangkhul tribesman, with a thick mane running down the middle of his scalp. Mohawk style. On his back he carried a basket with dried meat and salt, rations for two weeks, and concealed his gun in his Tangkhul shawl. It is believed that he himself killed some 120 Japanese soldiers. He was awarded the Military Cross and made a Member of the British Empire.

With the war won, he was, on request by the late Maharaj Kumar Priyabrata Singh, returned to Manipur in 1947 and joined the then interim government as minister in charge of the hill areas. In 1949, when Manipur merged with India following the now controversial merger agreement, the interim government was dissolved and Khathing, by his own admission, found himself “without a job for six months”.

That was when Sir Akbar Hydari, then Assam governor, asked him to join the Assam Rifles as a stopgap measure. He served with the 2nd Assam Rifles in Sadiya and by 1951 he was inducted into the Indian Frontier Administrative Service as an assistant political officer. Summoned by then Assam governor Jairamdas Daulatram, he was asked, “Do you know Tawang?” He was then given a “secret” file to study and told to “go and bring Tawang under Indian administration”. This task could not be implemented by the British for 50-odd years.

On 17 January 1951, Khathing, accompanied by Captain Hem Bahadur Limbu of 5th Assam Rifles and 200 troops and Captain Modiero of the Army Medical Corps left Lokra for the foothills, bound for Tawang. They were later joined by a 600-strong team of porters. On 19 January, they reached Sisiri and were joined by Major TC Allen, the last British political officer of the North East Frontier Agency. Five days later the party reached Dirang Dzong, the last Tibetan administrative headquarters, and were met by Katuk Lama, assistant Tibetan agent, and the Goanburras of Dirang. On 26 January, Major Khathing hoisted the Indian flag and a barakhana followed. The party stayed in Dirang for four days, during which time they received airdrops. On 1 February, they moved out and halted at Chakpurpu on their way to Sangje Dzong. On the third day, they made a five-mile climb to cross Sela Pass and pressed on to what was entered in Khathing’s diary as the “Tea Place” where water could be collected from the frozen surface to make tea. By 7.30 pm, the party closed in on Nurunang.

On 4 February, they reached Jang village where two locals were sent out to collect information and gauge the people’s feelings towards their coming. The next day, the headmen and elders of Rho,Changda and the surrounding villages of Jang called on Khathing, who lost no time in explaining the purpose of his visit and told them in no uncertain terms that they were no longer to take orders from the Tsona Dzongpens. That day, he, Captain Limbu, Subedar Bir Bahadur and Jamadar Udaibir Gurung climbed about half a mile on the Sela Tract to choose the site for the checkpost and construct a barracks.

On 6 February they camped at Gyankar and Tibetan representatives of the Tsona Dzongpens came to meet them. It was also Tibetan New Year or Lhosar, the first day of the Year of the Iron Horse. In the evening it snowed heavily and the villagers took this as a very good omen. Tawang was reached on 7 February and two days were spent scouting the area for a permanent site where both civil and military lines could be laid out with sufficient area for a playground.

A place was chosen north-east of Tawang Monastery and a meeting with Tibetan officials was scheduled for 9 February, but they had shown a reluctance to accept Indian authority overnight. Khathing told me in 1985 — when I’d accompanied him on his last trip to Tawang – that, left with no option, he told Captain Limbu to order his troops to fix bayonets and stage a flag march around Tawang to show he meant business. By the evening it had the desired effect and the Tibetan officials and elders of the monastery came to meet him. They were then given notice that the Tsona Dzongpens or any representatives of the Tibetan government could no longer exercise any power over the people living south of the Bumla range.

On 11 February, Khathing visited the monastery, called on the abbot and presented him and the other monks gifts that comprised gramophone players, cloth and tiffin-carriers. The next day all the chhgergans (officials) of the 11 tsos or Tibetan administrative units were called up and a general order was issued directing them not to take any more order from the Dzongpens or Drekhong or pay tribute to them any longer. That afternoon, Tibetan officials and the Nyertsang called for time and permission to exercise their authority till they heard from the Tibetan government in Lhasa. Khathing put his foot down and told them the “area is ours according to the Treaty of 1914” and there was no question of a reply from their government in Lhasa and, hence, no extension could be given. Thus did Tawang effectively become a part of India from that day on.

BOB Khathing stayed on in Tawang, established Bomdila town and later became the first Indian political officer of Nefa, taking over from Major Allen. A grateful government of India was to later honour him with a Padmashree. He left Tawang two years later and between 1954 and 1957 he looked after Tuensang and, when the embers of Naga insurgency began to flare, he was made deputy commissioner of Mokokchung and was instrumental in hosting the Naga People’s Conference at Kohima, which later gave birth to the 16-point agreement with the government of India that led to the creation of Nagaland in 1963.

In 1962, he was made development commissioner of Sikkim but when he heard Tawang had “fallen” to the Chinese he at once asked the Chogyal of Sikkim to relieve him and then requested the government of India to send him to the war front. Within three days he was at Tezpur and attached to 4th Corps as chief civil liaison officer. He later recollected calling on Lt-Gen TN Kaul, who was in charge then, and Kaul’s first remark was, “Bob, you have come at a most inopportune time.” Khathing told him in his own style, “I have come to report. What is my charter of duty?” Kaul was relieved in three days’ time by Sam Manekshaw but before leaving he told Khathing, “Bob, you chart out your own duty.”

After the Chinese withdrew, Khathing returned to Tawang, helped form the Special Security Bureau and served as its first divisional organiser of the area. This force was meant to stay behind enemy lines and conduct guerrilla activities in case the Chinese overran the area again. He returned to Nagaland as chief secretary in 1967 and stayed on till 1972, after which he was made India’s ambassador to Burma. He died in Imphal on

Kumar Priyabrata Singh.

(The writer is The Statesman’s former Imphal-based Special Correspondent)

Doubts over Cong handling of Chamling’s CBI case

Letter to the Editor,

  Sir,

Most of the major and minor Gangtok-based local newspapers recently reported that the case pertaining to challenging of the State Government notification that bars CBI investigation in Sikkim as being ‘dismissed’ while directing the petitioner, Kunga Nima Lepcha (a Congress leader), to once again petition the Court on the same.

However, it is very surprising to get to see the original Court order that I managed through my own fraternity from New Delhi, which mentions that the “ …Permission to withdraw the petition, as prayed, is granted. The petition is disposed of as withdrawn”.

 The order also mentions that “the learned counsel for the petitioner seeks permission to withdraw the petition and prays that liberty be reserved to the petitioner to file another petition challenging order by which Government of Sikkim has been declined to give consent under Section 6 of Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946 for registration of regular case…”

Lepcha’s claim that he would re-petition the case has created a lot of confusion and doubts. If he is to re-petition again in the Supreme Court to challenge the controversial State Government notification in question, then why should he ‘withdraw’ the ready-made case-in-hand on the very day of its admission-hearing on August 8, 2011 in the Supreme Court?

Isn’t it somewhat like tempering with the feeling and emotion of the dedicated Congress supporters of Sikkim and who were indeed waiting enthusiastically for the outcome of the case? Interestingly, in its present order there is no mention or indication that the Court allows or confers liberty to the petitioner to file another petition challenging the notification in question as claimed by the Congress Party.

The most important question is why should Lepcha ‘withdraw’ the present petition? Isn’t it the dubious acts of the so-called Congress workers that have ironically landed one of Sikkim’s leading political giants Nar Bahadur Bhandari behind the bar? Isn’t someone from within the party betraying the Congress party and its dedicated supporters?

Lepcha owes an explanation to dedicated Congress workers for his dubious, unconvincing and irresponsible act.

Tilak Prasad Tewari, LL M (Munshi Colony), Development Area, Gangtok.

Bijoy Subba, Development Area (Gangtok)

Bikram Rai, Development Area (Gangtok)

Prem Prasad Mahat, Development Area (Gangtok)

Peden Lhamu Lepcha, Naya Bajar (Gangtok)

Bal Bahadur Basnet, Development Area (Gangtok)

Gautam Thapa, Namnam (Gangtok)

Sonam Tsering Bhutia, Upper Sichey Busty (Gangtok)

(All well wishers and supporters of the Sikkim Pradesh Congress Party for years)