Ghising calls for dissolution of GTA Board of Administrators

Darjeeling: Gorkha National Liberation Front president Mann Ghising on Sunday demanded the immediate dissolution of the Board of Administrators, Gorkhaland Territorial Administration and instead appoint a government official to run the GTA, till a permanent solution is worked out to resolve the Darjeeling impasse.

The GNLF, in a display of strength, had organised a mammoth rally in Darjeeling town on Sunday. Labeled "Shraddhanjali Diwas", the day also commemorated the third death anniversary of Subash Ghising, the founder president of the party.

"Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee needs to immediately dissolve the Board of Administrators running the GTA at present, otherwise the peace that was achieved after much difficulty, will once again be disrupted. Any government official like the District Magistrate or the Principal Secretary can be appointed in place of the Board of Administrators, till a permanent solution is worked out through the series of ongoing bipartite talks, to resolve the Gorkha impasse," demanded Ghising.

The GNLF president stated that it is his moral responsibility to make the CM aware of the reality, as he enjoys a cordial relation with the state government.

"The CM and the state government had to strive hard to bring peace to the trouble-torn hills. It is our job to ensure that the peace continues. The way in which the board of administrators is running the GTA, could lead to public unrest in the near future. We expected change but found that the GTA is corruption riddled. Political victimisation is at its height. For how long will people tolerate all this?" questioned Ghising.

On September 25, 2017, the board of administrators appointed by the state government, had taken charge of the GTA with the previous elected board having resigned. The Board of Administrators has Gorkha Janmukti Moarcha leaders Binay Tamang and Anit Thapa at the helm.

Later, talking to media persons on the sidelines of the rally, Ghising stated that the GNLF was pressing for the 6th Schedule status.

"Negotiations are on in the bipartite talks and we are pressing for the 6th Schedule status for the Darjeeling Hills and Kalimpong. The 6th Schedule status perfectly fits us," said Ghising.

Mann Ghising stated that the GTA has no locus standi. "The GNLF had challenged the legality and constitutional validity of the GTA in the Supreme Court and Calcutta High Court. We might go to the Supreme Court again and file an intervention petition. The key to the GTA is with us," declared Ghising.

Taking a dig at the GJM, Ghising stated that in the name of "Gorkhaland", an agitation had been launched in 2007, with the ulterior motive of driving out Subash Ghising and the GNLF from the Hills and then embark on a looting spree.

"We have been politically victimised and suppressed in the past. We will not tolerate this anymore. If people are politically victimised and suppressed, we will come out on the streets and protest," warned Ghising, while addressing the mammoth rally.