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.