SILIGURI, :Following a
successful rally in Mirik, Ajoy Edwards is set to hold a protest rally in the
hills alongside the Adivasi and Rajbongshi communities from Terai and Dooars.
The
Ajoy Edwards-led Indian Gorkha Janashakti Front (IGJF) is actively conducting
consecutive meetings to prepare for the mass rally with thousands of Gorkha,
Adivasi, Rajbongshi people from Terai and Dooars and other communities expected
to participate.
On
Monday, a meeting was held at Bagdogra to strategize for the rally and to
discuss common minimum wage, bonuses, land rights and other welfare issues
affecting tea plantation workers in the Terai and hills.
The
meeting was conducted by the party’s trade union wing, Hamro Hill Terai Dooars
Chiyabari Sramik Sangh (HHTDCSS), where Rajesh Lakra, a former INTTUC leader
from Dooars, and Edwards discussed the upcoming mass gathering in the
hills.
“The
date and venue for the rally will be finalized soon. A large number of Adivasi
and Rajbongshi people will head to the hills for this historic gathering to
voice their valid demands,” said Edwards.
Edwards
is garnering support from the Adivasi and Rajbongshi belts to mount pressure on
the Trinamool Congress-led State government regarding pressing issues,
particularly land rights for tea garden workers.
The
Bagdogra meeting is also seen as a show of strength against opposition leaders
including Anit Thapa and Bimal Gurung.
Edwards,
who owns a motel in Bagdogra, spent his childhood in the area and is familiar
with the surrounding tea garden belts. He is working to consolidate support
from these regions to make the rally a grand success.
Lakra,
a prominent tribal leader, is extending his full support to Edwards. After the
meeting, Lakra said the State government must first identify suitable homestead
land for workers before prioritizing business interests.
“The
workers, who generate revenue for the government, have long been neglected and
denied their rights and development opportunities. We are now compelled to
launch an agitation for their rights and will soon gather in the hills,
following the success of the Mirik rally,” said Lakra.
