Gorkhaland activists organise peace march in Siliguri

Siliguri, Jan 21(ANI): Activists of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJMM) organised a peace march urging locals to maintain peace and harmony in Siliguri.

The objective of the peace march was the establishment of a separate Gorkha land state in a peaceful manner.

Talking to mediapersons, Shankar Adhikari, Convener of Terai region GJMM said that the state government as well as some of its officials is trying to disrupt harmony in Doars region.

"Our Gorkhaland demand is already there but now the state government and the other officials are together trying to disrupt the communal harmony in Doars region. And this is being undertaken with the support of West Bengal government. So we stand united and pray for the country's unity. We do not demand a Gorkhaland to disrupt communal harmony. We are demanding it because it is a matter of identity of the Gorkhas," said Adhikari.

He said that the movement is about recognising the identity of the Gorkhas.

A renewed demand for a separate Gorkhaland region, which would include Darjeeling and some contiguous areas of Jalpaiguri District, has created fresh turmoil over the past few months.

The four issues obstructing the interim authority are territorial jurisdiction, its authority to manage the regional tea gardens, the selection of its members and a description of the councils legislative powers.

At the fifth round of tripartite talks in New Delhi, the GJM had agreed to the constitution of an interim council by 2011 prior to the creation of a separate state.

The Gorkha population in West Bengal estimated to be around a million has been demanding a separate state. (ANI)