Darjeeling unrest: 14 parties pass resolution for scrapping Gorkhaland Territorial Administration
Darjeeling unrest
The GTA is a semi-autonomous body for administering the Darjeeling and Kalimpong hills. It was formed in 2012 after an agreement between the central government, the state government and the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha
Fourteen hill parties in West Bengal have passed a resolution for scrapping the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) after an all-party-meet in Darjeeling on Tuesday, a report in DNA stated.
The GTA is a semi-autonomous body formed in 2012 for administering the Darjeeling and Kalimpong hills. It was formed after an agreement between the central government, the state government and the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) after three years of agitation for a state of Gorkhaland.
The elected council was armed with more powers than its predecessor, the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council, which was formed in the Eighties.
The GJM won the first GTA elections held in 2012, and is running the GTA ever since.
GJM chief Bimal Gurung had earlier spoken of scrapping the GTA though he later retracted, saying it would prepare the region for statehood by developing infrastructure and providing jobs to youth.
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the GJM leadership of trying to create a linguistic divide between people by opposing her government’s decision to make Bengali compulsory in all schools.
Today's all-party meet was convened by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) to chalk out the "next course of action" as the indefinite shutdown over their demand for a separate state crippled normal life in Darjeeling for the sixth consecutive day.
The coalition of parties have demanded the withdrawal of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and restoration of internet services, DNA reported.
They say the ball is now in the state government’s court to ensure normalcy returns to the hills, the report added.
The Mamata Banerjee-led state government has called an all party meeting on June 22 over the current unrest in the hills which will be presided over by the state home secretary. GJM has decided to stay away from the meeting.
GJM has conveyed all-party meeting of the relevant constituents on June 24 to decide on the future coarse of action.
The party said today that the indefinite bandh in Darjeeling hills, will continue until security forces are withdrawn.