GNLF members demand Gorkhaland in Assy

Kolkata, Mar 10 (UNI) All the three MLAs of Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) today demanded a separate state of Gorkhaland in the state Assembly and urged the government to issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) in this regard.

Raising the issue in the House, Ms Shanta Chhetri said '' the imposition of Sixth Schedule status will not solve the problem of the hill and hence we demand creation of Gorkhaland, which is the only solution.'' Later, Mr Pranay Rai and Mr Gaulan Lepcha, GNLF MLAs from Darjeeling and Kalimpong respectively, told mediapersons that they would submit a memorandum to Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and seven political parties, including Trinamool Congress and SUCI.

'' We are working according to the wish of our people and it is our 100-year-old demand. We also demand to include Dooars in the proposed Gorkhaland as the place is dominated by Nepalees,'' they observed.

'' We extend our unconditional support to the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) which is spearheading the movement for Gorkhaland in the hills,'' they said.

Both the leaders also announced that they have come out of the GNLF and urged the Speaker to allot separate seats for them in the House considering the duo as 'rebel GNLF members.' UNI ADG KK AB 1712