DARJEELING,: An all-party meeting held at Gorkha Dukha Niwarak Samellan (GDNS) hall
on Wednesday decided to form a joint committee to decide their response against
the diversion of 30% tea garden land.
“The
issue of granting only 5 decimals of land to tea garden workers had kept us
engaged and now the diversion of 30% tea garden land has emerged with a gazette
notification. We are against these issues and this meeting was convened to
determine our course of action,” said Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) spokesperson
Kishore Bharati. He clarified that the meeting was not held under any political
banner.
Discussions
centred on whether to challenge the matter legally or initiate street protests.
It was unanimously decided to form a joint committee comprising representatives
from various political and non-political organizations to plan future programs.
The
meeting saw participation from multiple political outfits including Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP), Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), Communist Party of
Revolutionary Marxist (CPRM) and Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front (IGJF).
Representatives from several social organizations were also present.
Bharati
stated that the newly-formed committee would draft a memorandum outlining their
demands, which would be submitted to the concerned ministries and departments.
They also plan to engage with the Tea Board on the issue.
Additionally,
it was decided that an agitation, led by social organization Gorkha Youth
Activist Network (GYAN), would begin on March 8 from Margaret’s Hope Tea
Garden.
“Our
program, starting on March 8, is aimed at protecting our land. We urge everyone
to participate, regardless of political affiliation,” said GYAN spokesperson
Birendra Rasaily.
