DARJEELING, : Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front (IGJF), a
newly formed political outfit, has written to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata
Banerjee, demanding land rights based on physical possession for the indigenous
Gorkha, Adivasi, Rajbanshi and other communities residing in the Darjeeling and
Kalimpong districts, as well as the Terai and Dooars regions.
In the letter, IGJF’s chief convenor
Ajoy Edwards stated: “I write to you to bring to your kind attention the
critical and longstanding issue of granting land rights to the people residing
in Darjeeling, Kalimpong districts, Terai and Dooars. Despite repeated appeals
over the years, this matter remains unresolved and continues to affect the
rightful claims of these residents.”
Edwards emphasized that the inhabitants
of these districts, including those living in tea gardens, cinchona
plantations, DI Fund and forest areas, have lived on this land for centuries. “They
are indigenous to this region and have a profound cultural and historical
connection to it,” he added.
Referring to the State government’s ‘Nijo
Griha Nijo Bhumi Prakalpa' scheme, which provides up to five decimals of land
to eligible landless and homeless families in other parts of Bengal, Edwards said
that such a scheme is unsuitable for the unique context of Darjeeling,
Kalimpong, Terai and Dooars.
“The residents of the above said region
cannot and should not be categorized under the framework of landless schemes
applicable in other parts of Bengal. I strongly urge the government to grant
land rights to the above mentioned indigenous people of aforesaid areas,
recognizing their historical and cultural ties to this region,” he said.
Edwards further added that if the
existing laws do not provide such recognition, the IGJF urges the State
government to amend the West Bengal Land Reforms Act to include special
provisions addressing the unique needs of the aforementioned regions.
