Inspired by Telangana cause, Gorkhaland presses for statehood

Darjeeling, Dec 11 (ANI): The Central Government's decision to give its nod for initiating the process for the formation of the Telangana State has stirred up a hornet's nest, with the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) party workers calling in a 96-hour shutdown here demanding a separate State of Gorkhaland.

Highly inspired by the success received to the Telangana cause, 21 members each from Darjeeling, Kursiong, Kalimpong and Siliguri have made up their minds to go on an indefinite fast beginning today.

The GJM wants a separate state carved out of the districts on the northern border of West Bengal. The proposed new state will include the popular hill stations of West Bengal -Darjeeling, Siliguri, Kurseong and Kalimpong.

GJM leader Roshan Giri said on Thursday, we have been pressing for a separate Gorkhaland since 1907.

"If there can be a separate Telangana, there should also be a separate Gorkhaland," he added.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has thrown its weight behind the demand for a separate Gorkhaland, saying that the region lies along the border and a separate statehood would put off infiltration and protect the border better.

The biggest worry for the Centre now is that there are similar demands rising from the other parts of India. There are speculations of protests from some other areas as well.

The demands for Bundelkhand, Harit Pradesh and Purvanchal to be formed from Uttar Pradesh, a state each for Garos and Khasis from Meghalaya, Gorkhaland from West Bengal and Bodoland from Assam are anticipated to rise in near future.

There will be around 50 States, if the Central Government accepts all demands and sets up the second State Reorganisation Commission.

The protestors have now decided to raise their voices for further small states as well, such as Coorg in Karnataka, Vidarbha in Maharashtra, Saurashtra in Gujarat, Mithilanchal in Bihar, Mahakosala in Orissa and Ladakh and Jammu in Jammu And Kashmir State.

The protestors are garnering the support from the BJP and the other regional parties.

This has come up as a strong topic for discussion. (ANI)