Showing posts with label gorkhas in Assam. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gorkhas in Assam. Show all posts

Understanding NRC: A Politically Neutral Perspective

8:27 AM
Writes: Phinjo Wangyal Gurung

"Writing is not just a form of divertissement but a healing process that soothes a perturbed and stressful mind, rejuvenates your spirit, and brings you back to life."
National Register of Citizens of India
National Register of Citizens of India - Wikipedia

An atmosphere of dubiety seems to have taken over the hills ever since the announcement that once BJP forms government at the center it will Implement National Register of Citizens (NRC) throughout India. People are muddled about how NRC will affect the Indian Gorkhas in real time. Contrary to the popular belief, NRC will have a definite impact on the Indian Gorkhas unless certain conditions and safeguards are met. Here in this small write up I will try and dissect NRC from a political neutral viewpoint bringing out only those facts that are related to NRC along with its implications on the Indian Gorkhas once implemented.

What is NRC?
The National Register of Citizens is a register containing the names of all the genuine Indian citizens, it was first prepared in 1951 for Assam. NRC draws its power from the Citizenship Act of 1955 and the Rules framed therein. The main objective of preparing the register is to identify illegal immigrants as foreigners and deport them back to their countries.

Issues Related with NRC
(1) The Question of Immunity
After the publication of the first draft of NRC in Assam last year about 40 lakh people were identified as illegal migrants and were excluded from NRC for various reasons, including some 1,50,000 Gorkhas, despite the fact that BJP had promised that Gorkhas living in Assam would not be excluded. Amit Shah recently made a similar promise from Kalimpong that the Gorkhas living in Darjeeling Hills will not be excluded from NRC. With BJPs protracted and strained history of breaking the Gorkhas trust and faith, only time will tell if he is really going to walk the talk this time.

Once excluded from NRC, the person ceases to be a citizen of India. He will no longer be entitled to the rights guaranteed to an Indian Citizen under the constitution and law including the right to vote. The implementation of NRC should not be taken daintily, it is an issue of profound importance with far-reaching consequence as the fate and citizenship rights of lakh of India Gorkhas is at stake here. Immunity, therefore, becomes a matter of paramount concern for all the Indian Gorkhas.

The question now arises as to why about 1,50,000 Indian Gorkhas were excluded from the register in Assam (similar exclusion can happen in Darjeeling) despite the fact that NDA government had assured them that Gorkhas living in Assam will not be touched by NRC. The answer to this question lies in the Citizenship Act of 1955.

It should be noted that NRC draws its power and authority from the Citizenship Act of 1955, therefore, any question of Immunity can only be granted through an act of Parliament by amending the Citizenship Act . Verbal assurances given at the time of the election in the election manifesto, which itself has no legal support is inutile.

The NDA Government had brought a Bill i.e. Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016 which had granted immunity from being declared an illegal immigrant to persons belonging to Hindus, Buddhist, Jains, and Sikhs coming from Bangladesh and Pakistan, however, the said Bill did not mention Indian Gorkhas.  To add insult to injury the Bill did not see the light of the day and died its natural death in the Rajya Sabha. For an Ordinary Bill to be passed into a law it has to be passed by both the houses of the parliament with a simple majority. BJP led NDA still does not have the required numbers in the Rajya Sabha. Although it commands an absolute majority in the Lok Sabha it is still a minority in the Rajya Sabha. Rajya Sabha is BJPs Achilles Heel. This is the reason why the names of thousands of Indian Gorkhas living in Assam were struck of the National  Register on some flimsy grounds. Despite lofty promises being made the promises were not backed by law. As the commitment lacked legal support it could not be implemented therefore the fate and citizenship rights of thousands of Indian Gorkhas living in Assam still hangs in limbo.

A similar situation is brewing up in Darjeeling, only verbal assurances have been given by the party president. The Bill as it stands today, still does not specifically mention ” Indian Gorkhas”. Even if somehow the party manages to include Indian Gorkhas in the Citizenship Amendment Bill, there is no guarantee that the Bill will pass as BJP is a minority in Rajya Sabha and does not command enough support to pass an Ordinary  Bill in one go. Therefore implementing NRC in Darjeeling without specific legal immunity to the INDIAN GORKHAS is suicidal.

(2) Documentation and related matters
It has been found that the names of many persons in Assam were dropped from the draft NRC only because of minor differences in the spellings of Bengali names into English in different documents.  Several instances were encountered where a single letter variation, for example, “Omar” and “Onar”, was enough to rule that a person was a foreigner. I now ask how many of us in Darjeeling are not facing similar problems? How many of us have all their and the names of their family members correctly spelled in all their documents? To be honest I don’t. If that be the case my name along with the names of my family members will be struck off the NRC if implemented.

Likewise the rural unlettered are typically vague about their date of birth. A person could be excluded from the register if he/she told the NRC tribunal 40 when the documents recorded to be 42.

Rural uneducated women are especially in danger of exclusion from the citizenship register.  Most of them have no birth certificates, are not sent to schools and are married before they become adults, therefore, by the time their names first appear in the voters list these are in a different village where they live after marriage, which is different from those of their parents. They are told by the NRC tribunal that they have no documents to prove that they are indeed the children of the people they claim are their parents. There were cases in ASSAM of being excluded from the citizenship register on this ground alone.

(3) Opaque Process
NRC empowers the Assam police to identify anyone it suspects as foreigners and illegal migrants. How many of us can repose 100% faith and vouch that the police force works with impeccable integrity? If the police are granted such wide powers don’t you think that such power can be abused? Anyone can be picked up by the police on flimsy ground and be declared a foreigner anytime.

The police have also been empowered to refer the cases to a Foreigners Tribunal(FT). It has been alleged that the Tribunals are not presided by judges but by lawyers and in some cases by persons with no legal knowledge, who were appointed by the party.

Moreover, it has also been alleged that the police and the presiding officers in FTs( foreigners tribunal ) work just to fulfill the targets that are set by the party and not to dispense justice.

Not to mention the enormous amount of money one needs to spend fighting these legal cases in the Tribunals proving ones citizenship once declared a foreigner or an illegal migrant under NRC.

(4) The Question of Double Jeopardy
Article 20(2) of the constitution guarantees to every citizen the right not to be prosecuted and punished for the same offense more than once as a fundamental Right. But this principle has been waived off for Foreigners Tribunals(FT). It has been found that even after an FT had confirmed a citizen of India another FT and at times the same FT can again send notice to the same person to prove his citizenship once again. This is a direct violation of Article 20(2) as guaranteed by the constitution of India.

With the entire burden of proving citizenship on one’s shoulders and the arbitrary and opaque multiple forums to which one will be summoned, people deprived of education and resource will be caught in a maze of bureaucratic red tape from which they will find it hard to emerge. There are indeed few parallels in the world where the state itself produces statelessness on the scale and manner that it is doing in Assam and soon in the Hill areas of Darjeeling. Political parties advocating NRC in Darjeeling should exercise caution and do so only after an in-depth analysis of ground realities, after taking into confidence all the stakeholder without which the future and Citizenship Rights of thousands of Indian Gorkhas living in the area could be jeopardized once and for all.

Via The DC

Assam Gorkha Sammelan demands ST status to Gorkhas of Assam meet HM and TAM

8:35 PM
Writes Nanda Kirati Dewan 

A delegation of Assam Gorkha Sammelan (AGS) led by its President and Tezpur MP Shri  R.P. Sarma met union Home Minister Rajnath Singh at Parliament house today and submitted a memorandum demanding ST status to 11 Gorkha Communities of Assam and inclusion of a member from Gorkha community in the high power committee formed by the Home Ministry of India for implementation of clause 6 (six) of Assam Accord .
Assam Gorkha Sammelan demands ST status to Gorkhas of Assam meet HM and TAM.

Yesterday, the same delegation met union tribal affair minister Jual Oram at his residence and submitted a memorandum demanding ST status to the eleven Gorkha communities of Assam. They also reminded Mr. Oram about the promise made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who had quoted that “Gorkhas’ dream is my dream”. “He has already started the process of granting ST status to the thirteen Gorkha Communities of India,” they said.

Both the ministers assured the delegation that the Govt. Of India is very serious about granting ST status to the thirteen Gorkha communities of India. The delegation comprised of working president Krishna Bhujel and central office bearers Bikash Subedy, Dahal Sanjiv and Kharga Rawat.

Release of Mosti Maya Limbu from Jorhat Detension Camp

7:30 AM
Writes Nanda Kirati Dewan

Release of Mosti Maya Limbu (38) mother two 13 year old daughter and 7 year old son from Jorhat Detension Camp was a silent battle we have been fighting for last 11 months. My AAGSU colleague Vice President Prem Newar and BhaGoP Member from Golaghat Shri. Bhakta Limbu also president of VDP, Padumpathar efforts in this case that yeilded result. I salute their Gorkhalism spirit.

President of Assam Pradesh Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh Advocate of Gauhati High Court services were sought at Jorhat and we could Free 23 Gorkha D' Voters from charges of being Foreigner in August last year after Mosti Maya Limbu was declared foreigner by the Foreigner Tribunal, Jorhat. This was a victory we couldnot celebrate as our own Cheli was languishing in Detention Camp for being a Gorkha's daughter born in India in 1981 to a parents who had voted in 1970 from Sarupathar constituency.

This particular case was handed over Upadhyay after another very senior advocate (name withheld) and his associate who was introduced to the victim's family through a relative failed to deliver justice. After pursuing the case for several months before the Honourable High Court, we finally could free Mosti Maya Limbu a day before 70th Republic Day.

I thank Nityananda Upadhyaya Sir for his community services and his legal knowledge and flow of informations that made it happen. A round of appluass to our colleagues in BhaGoP who are ready to file addendum petition in Hon'ble Supreme Court for its permanent solution so that no Gorkhas are marked D Voter and tried at Foreigners Tribunals. We await to see a petition to be filed by Assam Govt in Hon'ble High Court in this respect as we take our next step.

The Jorhat FT has more than 150 cases registered against Gorkhas and the numbers are increasing while whole of Assam it is estimated to be more than 2000. There are examples where higher courts have overturned FT's judgenents and declared victims as INDIANs.

The Gorkhas reposes its faith on World's largest democracy and its Judiciary to deliver Justice to the sons of the soil. We humbly appeal Election Commission of India to look into it constitutionally.

Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh Official shall legally fight cases of D' Voters and those Pending at Foreigners Tribunal (PFT)s as and when brought to our notice.

Nanda Kirati Dewan
National Secretary (Youth Affairs), BhaGoP

Do not Panic over NRC list says Assam Finance Minister

9:09 PM
Assam Finance Minister Himant Biswas Sarma Requests People Not to Panic - "Even names of indigenous Assamese are not there in the list, names of Gorkhas are not in the list, but this is not final"

In an interview to India Today, Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has appealed people not to panic over the draft NRC.

Do not Panic over NRC list says  Assam Finance Minister
Himanta Biswa Sarma

When asked about TMC leader Mamata Banerjee's accusation that "this is just a pretence to remove Muslim names from the list", he said, "No ones names have been removed, we are merely following Supreme Court Orders, even the names of indigenous Assamese are not there in the list, names of Gorkhas are not in the list, names of Hindi speaking people are not in the list, names of Marwaris are not on the list, names of Assames Hindus and Muslims are not on the list, it doesn't mean they are foreigner or they are outsiders... Supreme Court is going to develop a Special Operating Procedure and people will be given an opportunity to claim their stake... they will be heard three times, only then a final list will be prepared."


आज तक (@aajtak) Tweeted: NRC के ड्राफ्ट पर सियासी घमासान के बीच TMC नेताओं के एक दल को सिलचर एयरपोर्ट पर हिरासत में ले लिया गया है. देखिए, क्या कहना है इस पर BJP नेता और असम के स्वास्थ्य मंत्री @himantabiswa का. #ReporterDiary @manogyaloiwal अन्य वीडियो : https://t.co/JMFFiLsoXl https://t.co/ehzxPLpUvF https://twitter.com/aajtak/status/1025071065394032643?s=17

Bimal Gurung's Press Release on NRC list Assam

12:58 PM
Press release from President Shri Bimal Gurung:

“I extend my solidarity and support to all those genuine citizens of India whose name have been left out of the NRC list, and request the central government to take handle their cases with utmost care, and also request the Govt of Assam and the Central Govt to consider all genuine cases of those who have been living in Assam prior to 25th of March, 1971. 

We are also struggling for our identity here, and are very worried at the situation developing due to NRC in Assam. We fear that this could lead to the marginalization of the indigenous Gorkha-Kamtapuri and Adivasis of North Bengal, and we want to ensure that no such unfortunate situation in allowed to develop. We won’t allow the indigenous Gorkha, Adivasi, Kamtapuri, Meche and other indigenous communities to suffer injustice. If actions are taken to undermine the locals Bimal Gurung won’t stay silent.
Bimal Gurung
Bimal Gurung 

I have been made aware of the fact that state government is secretly measuring land in our hills, if this is being done to settle illegal Bangladeshis who have been removed from Assam, then it creates a national security threat.

Darjeeling Terai and Dooars help connect mainland India to the north east states, this Chicken Neck region is therefore highly sensitive in entire South Asia, and there are possibilities of anti-National, anti-India forces fomenting trouble in this region. In such a situation, if conspiracy is hatched to settle illegal immigrants who have been removed from another state to our lands with which we share a very long border, this will put to grave risk the national security of our country. I will not permit any political entity from the state to jeopardize our national security.

No one should dream of undermining the indigenous population of north Bengal by hoping to settle illegal Bangladeshis who have been kicked out to Assam. If they attempt anything like this, then all the Rajbanshis, Kamtapuris, Adivasis, Meche and Gorkhas from Dooars and all the Gorkhas from the hills will speak with one voice against this.

I once again request, the central government to consider the cases of genuine citizens of India with utmost care, and sympathy.

_---------------------------------------------

प्रेस विज्ञप्ति - ४ अगस्त २०१८

आसाममा एनआरसी सूचिको कारणले जन्मिएको विवादमा प्रभावित बनेका त्यहाँका पीडित साँचो नागरिकहरू सन्दर्भमा मेरो समवेदना राख्दै उनीहरूको समस्यालाई गहनतासँग लिनुपर्ने म केन्द्र सरकारलाई अपील गर्दछु|
२५ मार्च १९७१ भन्दा अघि आसाम पसेकाहरूको उजुरीलाई आसामको राज्य सरकार अनि केन्द्र सरकारले पुनः गम्भीर रूपमा हेरोस् भन्ने मेरो अनुरोध छ| हाम्रो छातीमा पीडितहरूप्रति समवेदना छ|

हामी पनि यता आफ्नो परिचयको लडाई लडिरहेको अवस्थामा आसाममा एनआरसी सूचिको कारणले जन्मिएको समस्याको कारणले गोर्खा-कामतापुरी-आदिवासीको बाहुल्यता भएको उत्तर बङ्गालको क्षेत्रमा यहाँका रैथानेहरू अल्पसंख्यक बन्न नपरोस्, त्यस्तो कुनै कार्य नहोस् त्यो सुनिस्चित गर्न चाहन्छौं|
हामी दार्जीलिङ-कालेबुंग पहाड, तराई अनि डुवर्सका रैथाने गोर्खा, कामतापुरी, आदिवासी, मेचे आदिलाई अन्याय हुनदिनेछैनौं| यस्तो अवस्था आएको खण्डमा विमल गुरुङ चुपचाप बस्नेछैन| अहिले पहाड, तराई अनि डुवर्सको विभिन्न स्थानमा राज्य सरकारले गोप्य रूपमा जमीन नापी गरेको सुन्दैछु| यदि आसामबाट निकालिएको अनि बंगलादेशबाट छिरेकोहरूलाई स्थापित गराउने षडयन्त्रमा जमीन नापीएको हो भने त्यसले देशको राष्ट्रिय सुरक्षालाई खतरा उत्पन्न गर्छ|

दार्जीलिंग तराईको भूमिले मात्र भारत देशलाई आफ्नो पूर्वोत्तर राज्यसँग जोडेर राखेको छ| देशलाई पूर्वोत्तरसँग जोड्ने यो चिकन नेक क्षेत्र दक्षिण एसिया कै निम्ति अति नै संवेदनशील क्षेत्र भएकोले यहाँ राष्ट्रको विरुद्धमा अन्तराष्ट्रिय चलखेल हुनसक्ने आशंका जहिले पनि छ| यस्तो संवेदनशील क्षेत्रमा अर्थात् यसको छेउछाउमा यहि देशको एउटा राज्यमा उच्छेद गरिएको बंगलादेशीलाई ल्याएर राख्नु भनेको देशको राष्ट्रिय सुरक्षासँग खेलवाड गर्नु हो|

विमल गुरुङले यसरी राज्यको कुनैपनि राजनैतिक शक्तिलाई राष्ट्रिय सुरक्षासँग खेलवाड गर्न दिंदैन| आसामबाट उच्छेद गरिएको बंगलादेशीलाई ल्याएर उत्तर बंगालको उहिलेदेखि बसेको रैथानेहरूलाई अल्पसंख्यक बनाउने सपना कसैले नदेखेको राम्रो हो| यस्तो भएको खण्डमा डुवर्सका समस्त राजवंशी कामतापुरी, आदिवासी, मेचे, गोर्खा लगायत पहाडका गोर्खाहरूले राष्ट्रहीतमा एकै स्वरमा विरोध जनाउनेछन्|
यसको साथै आसाममा अहिले पीडित बनेकाहरू सन्दर्भमा केन्द्र सरकारले मानवीय अनि सठीक पहल गर्नुपर्नेछ भनि म आग्रह गर्दछु|

विमल गुरुङ
अध्यक्ष, गोजमुमो,
केन्द्रिय कार्यालय, दार्जीलिङ
भारत|

Gorkhas in India are Indian citizens or legal migrants, says Nepal

8:34 PM

Writes Geeta Mohan

One of the major fallout of the National Register for Citizens (NRC) list in Assam would be on Gorkhas in India. According to reports, an estimated one lakh Gorkhas have been kept out of the draft that was published on July 30 that could be a cause for major consternation between the government and the Gorkha community.
The question that arises out of this is what would the status of the Gorkhas in India be. Nepals Embassy in India believes that this is not a bilateral matter at all and that Gorkhas living in different parts of the country are all Indian citizens.
File Photo
Speaking to India Today, Hari Odari, spokesperson in the Nepalese Embassy in New Delhi said, As far as we are concerned, Gorkhas in Assam, West Bengal, Uttarakhand and other parts of India are Indian citizens or legal migrants. This issue has never been a part of our bilateral relations or conversations.
This list which according to Indian government officials is not the final list has raised concerns among the Gorkha community of Assam. Data collected from the districts imply about 1 lakh of our people are missing from the NRC, the highest being in Baksa district followed by Sonitpur and Golaghat. They should never have been excluded because the March 24, 1971 cut-off does not apply to the Gorkhas, Prem Tamang, president of the All Assam Gorkha Students Union, told India Today
Sources in the Nepalese government in Kathmandu told India Today, This is Indias internal matter, its domestic matter. We dont interfere in that. They will resolve it themselves.
The difference between illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Nepalese coming into India is the Indo-Nepal Treaty of 1950.
Article 7 of the Treaty states, The Governments of India and Nepal agree to grant, on reciprocal basis, to the nationals of one country in the territories o the other the same privileges in the matter of residence, ownership of property, participation in trade and commerce, movement and other privileges of a similar nature.
Professor Mahendra P. Lama, from Jawaharlal Nehru University, says, For the Nepalese migrants under 1950 Treaty, they might not be citizens but they are legal migrants. No Nepalese migrant can be ousted or declared illegal anywhere in India under the Indo-Nepal treaty.
The problem with this clause is that if Nepalese people are allowed equal rights without being citizens then how does one differentiate them from those who acquired Indian citizenship by right of being descendants of soldiers recruited by the Indian Army.
It is a very clear case. Those who are Indian Gorkhas cant be deprived of Indian citizenship because of lack of documents because the processes in the past and municipality structures were not organised. The question of not giving them citizenship does not arise, says Professor Lama.
Interestingly, the Assam agitation of the 70s and 80s was a popular movement launched against outsiders included not only illegal immigrants from Bangladesh but also Gorkhas and other outsiders such as the Santhal tribe in India going in and settling in the state of Assam.
The agitation ended in August of 1985 following the Assam Accord which gave a cut-off date of March 24, 1971. People with documents establishing their stay in Assam up to the midnight of that date are eligible for inclusion in the NRC.
India Today

Exclusion in NRC "not fair" - Gorkha Autonomous Council Demand Committee

7:46 AM
Guwahati: The Gorkha Autonomous Council Demand Committee, which has been demanding "original in habitants" status for the Gorkhas living in Assam, said exclusion of many names of the community from the final draft of the NRC is "not fair".

The committee's chairman, Harka Bahadur Chhetri, on Thursday said: "Many Gorkha people have been excluded from the final draft of the NRC. There are many anomalies. However, the exact number of excluded people is not confirmed yet. So, we will have to carry out a survey across the state."
Gorkha Autonomous Council Demand Committee
Gorkha Autonomous Council Demand Committee file photo

Alleging huge anomalies in the NRC update process, Chhetri said: "Exclusion of many Gorkhas in the NRC final draft even after submission of proper documents has proved that there were large anomalies in the whole process. So we will move the state government after carrying out the survey."

More Chhetri said: "Many Gor-khas, who have been living in this land for decades, have been excluded from the final draft. They are now frustrated. The government said there is nothing to worry about. That means inclusion or exclusion of names in the draft NRC has no value. The anomalies will not be tolerated."

Chhetri alleged partiality in the NRC update process. According to him, in Assam there are around 30 lakh Gorkhas and among them possibly 10 to 20 per cent have been excluded from the final draft.

Earlier, the committee had said Gorkhas in Assam had no links with Nepal and considering them as "immigrants" would be an injustice.

According to the committee, Nepalis and Gorkhas are different communities, but the Assam government deprived Gorkhas from getting the "indigenous" tag

Via Telegraph

NRC could threaten national security and start communal violence - Binay Tamang

12:52 PM
"NRC political game of BJP - could threaten national security and start communal violence in the country" - says Binay Tamang

GJM (BT) faction chief and the current GTA Board of Administrators Chairman Binay Tamang on Wednesday said that he would extend legal support to Assam’s Gorkha community if they were displaced following implementation of NRC.

He claimed, "of the 40 lakh people in Assam whose names have not appeared in NRC, nearly 1 lakh are Gorkhas."

“The NRC draft is not final. People whose names are not on the list can submit fresh applications. But even after that, if those whose names have been struck off do not get enlisted, then our party will extend all support,” said Binay Tamang.

He further added “NRC is a political game of BJP, which could threaten national security and start communal violence in the country. We abhor such political games”.

He alleged that BJP would also implement NRC in Bengal to displace not only Gorkhas but other minority communities in the state in order to make political gains.

[With inputs from Times News Network, file pic]

Via TheD

Close to 100,000 Gorkha Names Left Out of Assam NRC

7:56 AM
Writes: Rahul Karmakar

The complete draft of the updated National Register of Citizens (NRC) published on July 30 has made the Gorkhas of Assam feel they are paying the price for India’s treaty with Nepal almost seven decades ago.

While the focus of the NRC has been on the exclusion of Bengali Muslims and Hindus — two communities often suspected to be illegal migrants — an estimated 100,000 of some 2.5 million Gorkhas in Assam have not found their names in the updated draft.
Close to 100,000 Gorkha Names Left Out of Assam NRC

This has come as a rude shock to the Gorkhas, most of whom are descendants of soldiers recruited by the Assam Rifles that was born as Cachar Levy in 1835. A few trace their origin to Ratikanta Upadhyaya, a follower of medieval Assamese saint-reformer Srimanta Sankardeva, who had a couple of Vaishnav monasteries built in Jorhat and Nagaon in the 16th century.

“Data collected from the districts imply about 1 lakh of our people are missing from the NRC, the highest being in Baksa district followed by Sonitpur and Golaghat. They should never have been excluded because the March 24, 1971 cut-off does not apply to the Gorkhas,” Prem Tamang, president of the All Assam Gorkha Students’ Union, told The Hindu.

The 1951 NRC has been updated on the basis of the cut-off date prescribed by the Assam Accord of 1985 for detection, detention and deportation foreigners, specifically from Bangladesh. This means migrants who have documents establishing their stay in Assam up to the midnight of March 24, 1971, are eligible for inclusion in the NRC.

Mr. Tamang referred to the 1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship that ensures free movement of Indian and Nepalese people into each other’s territory, own property, participate in trade and commerce and enjoy other privileges.

[Via: The Hindu]

आसाममा १ लाख गोर्खाहरूको नाम मेटिएको घोर विरोध गर्दछौं -बिनय तामाङ

6:00 PM
नेशनल रेजिस्टर अफ सिटिजन मार्फत आसामका कूल ४० लाख मानिसहरूको नाम काटिएको छ भने उक्त ४० लाखमध्ये १ लाख गोर्खाहरूको नाम मेटिएको हामीलाई जानकारी प्राप्त भएको छ। गोर्खा जनमुक्ति मोर्चा आसामका ती सबा गोर्खाहरूलाई उक्त ट्राफ्ट फाइनल राफ्ट नरहेकोले फेरि पनि आफ्नो नागरिकता प्रमाणित गर्ने समय रहेको जनाउँदै पुनः आवेदन गर्ने अपील गर्दछौं।यति गरेर फाइनल ड्राफ्टमा पनि यदि कुनै वैध भारतीय गोर्खाहरूको नाम छुटिन गए प्रावधानअनुसार अन्य कानूनी प्रक्रियाहरू अप्नाउने दिशामा उनीहरूलाई गोर्खा जनमुक्ति मोर्चाले पूर्ण सहयोग गर्ने आश्वासन प्रदान गर्दछौं।



आसाममा भाजपा सरकारले शुरू गरेको एनआरसीको हामी घोर प्रतिवाद जनाउँदछौं। यो भाजपाको राजनैतिक स्वार्थप्रेरित पदक्षेप हो।

यसबाहेक पश्चिम बंगालमै पनि एनआरसी लागु गर्ने भाजपाको मनाशय रहेको छ। भाजपा पश्चिम बंगाल प्रभारी दिलीप घोषले पश्चिम बंगालमा पनि एनआरसी लागु गर्ने भाजपाको योजना रहेको बताइसकेका छन्।भाजपाले राजनैतिक स्वार्थ सिद्ध गर्न नै बंगालमा पनि एआरसी लागु गर्ने षड़यन्त्र बुनेका हुन्। यदि बंगालमा पनि एनआरसी लागु गरेको खण्डमा बंगालको उत्तरपूर्वी क्षेत्रमा बसोबासो गर्ने गोर्खाहरूलाई पनि आसामबाट झैं उच्छेद गर्ने षड़यन्त्र भाजपाद्वारा शुरू गर्ने हामीलाई शङ्का रहेको छ।बंगालका अल्पसंख्यक समुदायहरूको नाम मेटाएर बंगालको सत्ता हत्याउने ताकमा भाजपाले बंगालका अल्पसंख्यक समुदायको पनि नागरिक अधिकार हनन गर्ने सोच बनाइरहेको हामीलाई शङ्का भइरहेको छ।

आसाम अनि पश्चिम बंगालमामात्रै नभएर देशका अन्य कतिपय राज्यहरूमा पनि एनआरसी लागु गर्ने भाजपाको योजना रहेको छ। यदि भाजपाले यसो गरेको खण्डमा सम्पूर्ण देशमा नै साम्प्रदायिक हिँसा अनि दङ्गा- फसाद फैलिएर जाने पनि निश्चित रहेको छ। यसरी राजनैतिक स्वार्थसिद्ध गर्नुको निम्ति राष्ट्रको साम्प्रदायिक सद्भावना भत्काउनु तथा राष्ट्रिय सुरक्षामाथि प्रश्नचिह्न खड़ा गर्नु अति निन्दनीय कुरा हो। हामी यसको घोर विरोध गर्दछौं।

विनय तामाङ
अध्यक्ष
गोर्खा जनमुक्ति मोर्चा।

204th Bhanu Jayanti observed in Dimapur by Gorkha students

9:31 AM

To celebrate the 204th Bhanu Jayanti, Gorkha Students’ Union Dimapur (GSUD) organized a program on Friday, at Dimapur Town Hall under the theme, “Our culture our identity”, in which 22 Gorkha units from different parts of Dimapur participated.
 

Speaking at the program, PDA minister of state Nagaland, Sashank Ghatraj lauded GSUD for their contribution to the community.
He asked the community to encourage the youth saying that the youth should be encouraged and guided since they were the pillars and the future of society. He also encouraged the students to be responsible in their duties and to work hard with determination. He also spoke about the importance of the Nepali language, which is also one of the official languages, saying that it should be learned by the community to be used verbally and in writing.
He asked them to stay in unity with the Nagas and also asked the gathering to learn to live in peace and harmony.
DGU chairman Kumar Subba highlighted the contributions of Bhanu Bhakt Acharya. A short speech was also delivered by Mirmire Kanchanjung Sikkim, editor, Heman Giri who was the guest speaker of the program. Renowned poet, writer & social engineer Chakrapani Bhattarai and founding member of Dimapur Gorkha union, Tikaram Dhakal were the special invitees.
Among the program highlights were the lightning of the lamp, felicitation of HSLC and HSSLC successful candidates 2018, poem recitation and cultural shows etc.
Further, the program also featured a second session where an extempore speech competition, solo dance, group dance and duet dance were presented by various individuals and groups that enthralled the gathering.   
Earlier, an invocation prayer was pronounced by NBF, Razhaphe pastor Suresh Sundas and later vote of thanks was delivered by GSUD general secretary Anand Gurung.

http://www.nagalandpost.com/

Kashyap Smriti Puraskar 2018 Goes to Loknath Upadhaya Chapagain

8:06 AM

CONGRATS: Kashyap Smriti Puraskar 2018 Goes to Loknath Upadhaya Chapagain

Loknath Upadhaya Chapagain from Assam, who is settled in Siliguri has won the Tulshiram Sharma 'Kashyap' award in Sikkim for his book "Kina Royaou Ppama "

He was felicitatiedted yesterday at Sikkim Sahitya Parishad with a citation and 51k cash award.

This award has been instituted by Shri. Tulshiram Sharma 'Kashyap  Pratishthan of Sikkim for books published in Nepali in the last three years

TR Sharma Kashyap happens to be the first Sahitya award winner in Nepali from Sikkim.

We congratulate Loknath sir and wish him more success in the coming days.

Via The DC

Bishal Sharma wins Super Dancer Season 2

12:09 AM
After a live voting, Bishal Sharma was announced as the champion by judges Shilpa Shetty, Anurag Basu and Geeta Kapur on Saturday night. He beat three other finalists Ritik Diwaker, Vaishnavi Prajapati and Akash Thapa to take home the trophy.

Super Dancer Chapter 2, which made history for being the longest-running single season of a dance reality show, has finally found its winner. After a live voting, Bishal Sharma was announced as the champion by judges Shilpa Shetty, Anurag Basu and Geeta Kapur on Saturday night. He beat three other finalists Ritik Diwaker, Vaishnavi Prajapati and Akash Thapa to take home the trophy. The 12-year-old, who hails from Assam, mesmerised the judges and had the maximum number of votes from the audience coming his way. The live voting turned out to be quite a record breaking one with million votes being registered. Along with a lot of goodies from sponsors, Bishal received a prize money of 15 lakh and a dazzling trophy, while his mentor received a cheque of Rs 5 lakh.
Bishal Sharma took home Rs 15 lakh and winners trophy.
Bishal Sharma took home Rs 15 lakh and winners trophy.
12-year-old Bishal Sharma from Assam had been an adorable livewire in the show. Whenever the dynamic dancer took the stage, the judges and audience were enthralled. Bishal is an inquisitive young boy, always smiling and chattering away with his friends. Guided by Super Guru Vaibhav Ghuge, the super kid impressed all with his contemporary, hip-hop styles.

The finale episode also saw the presence of Bollywood youth sensation Varun Dhawan, who was there to promote his upcoming film October. The Student of the Year actor also shook a leg with judge Shilpa, that got the audience cheering for them. While the gala episode also saw Shilpa grooving to some peppy numbers and showing off her belly dance moves, Geeta in a breathtaking act paid a special tribute to yesteryear heroines.

Produced by Frames Productions, Super Dancer 2 launched on September 30 and aired on Sony Entertainment Television. While Rithvik Dhanjani and Paritosh Tripathi hosted the show when it launched, with it getting an extension, Jay Bhanushali came in place of Rithvik, who had to quit the show owing to prior commitments. Even before the premiere, the show faced a major roadblock, when its set located at RK Studio was destroyed after a fire broke out.

Here’s wishing the young winner Bishal congratulations.

Source indianexpress

Gorkha Cultural Research Centre in Assam

1:38 PM
Assam Govt To Set Up Cultural Research Centre For Gorkhas - Statues of 3 Legendary Gorkhas from Assam to be Installed

GUWAHATI: Assam government will set up a cultural research centre for Gorkha the city and a plot of land will be provided where in statues of three legendary figures of Gorkha community will be installed. It was announced by chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Wednesday.

Meeting a delegation, representing three Gorkha community in Assam Legislative Assembly here Sonowal said, “Gorkhas are an integral part of the larger demographic profile of Assam and together they have contributed immensely to strengthen socio-cultural fabric of the state”.
Cultural Research Centre For Gorkha in Assam

In recognition to immense role of the people belonging to Gorkha community, Government of Assam will set up Cultural Research Centre for Gorkha. Moreover, steps will be taken to install the statues of three Gorkha legendary personalities namely Chabilal Upadhaya, Bhakta Bahadur Pradhan and Dalbir Singh Lohar in recognition to role in strengthening the demographic diversities of the state.

Members of three organisations representing Gorkha community namely Asom Nepali Sahitya Sabha, Gorkha Students’ Union and Asom Gorkha Sammelan held a meeting with the Chief Minister and apprised him of different problems that the people of Gorkha community are confronting with. Chief Minister Sonowal while lending a patient hearing, assured the delegation of taking tangible steps to solve the problems of Gorkha people who are approximately 25 lakh in the state.

Sonowal also met a delegation of All Assam Bengali Youth Students’ Federation in Assam Legislative Assembly and assured the delegation of taking appropriate steps for resolving various issues raised by the delegation. He also said that the state government will extend best possible steps to the people belonging to Bengali community for their socio-economic and cultural development. With regard to the alleged encumbrances related to NRC issue, Sonowal assured the delegation to take up the matter to NRC Coordinator to remove all bottlenecks. The seven-member delegation led by its advisor Sukumar Biswas also submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister. Sonowal while acknowledging the role played by the people belonging to Bengali community for the socio-cultural-economic and educational development of Assam vowed to do everything possible for the development of all sections of the people of the state belonging to Barak, Brahmaputra, hills and plains.

Source - http://bit.ly/2DLNxI2, File Pic

126th Saheed Diwas of Subedar Niranjan Singh Chhetri observed

1:23 PM

Assam -126th Saheed Diwas in commemoration of martyr Subedar Niranjan Singh Chhetri was observed at Mani Kumar Subba Bhawan.

SUBEDAR NIRANJAN SINGH CHETTRI - 1st GORKHALI FREEDOM FIGHTER TO DIE FOR INDIA.

Subedar Niranjan Singh Chettri led the contingent of Native Gorkhali soldiers for revolutionary Manipuri hero Jubraj Tekendrajit Singh.

When East India Company was taking over different parts of India bit by bit and entered Manipur, the Manipuri hero Jubraj Bir Tekendrajit Singh decided to fight against the British than surrender. Much like Chattrapati Shivaji and Rani Laxmibai, Jubraj Tekendrajit Singh became a martyr in the battlefield.

On this day, the Gorkhalis of India remember, salute and celebrate the brave heart Subedar Niranjan Singh Chettri, who was hanged by the British in 1891 for his role in the "Revolt of Manipur". His bravery and patriotism was unparalleled, yet his act of patriotism, much like acts of patriotism from the rest of North-East India was lost in pages of history.

His last words - “My birthplace is my Motherland, I am ready to die for this land, and I am ready to kill for this land... but I am not ready to accept surrender and subjugation of my own land”

TheGTA team also salutes Shaheed Niranjan Singh Chettri who was the first Gorkhali martyr in the freedom movement of India.

TheGTA

Rewati Chetri crowned Miss International India 2016 will represent India at Miss International in Japan

10:33 PM
Nanda Kirati Dewan

Pune, Maharastra 12th Sept 2016: The gorgeous ‘Gorkhali Gabhuru’,  Asom Xontan and Pride of the North East Rewati Chetri was crowned Miss International India 2016 in its first edition of the beauty pageant that took place at Novotel Hotel in Pune on Sunday night. She bagged the title defeating 16 other contestants and will now represent India at the Miss International 2016 pageant happening next month in Tokyo, Japan.

23-year-old Rewati was born to Baburam Chetri and Mrs. Bina Chetri  born and broup up in a small town of Haflong, Assam. She attended her schooling from St. Agnes’ Convent High School, Haflong and graduated in commerce degree from Lumding College, Lumding.
Rewati Chetri at the grand finale of Senorita India Beauty Pageant 2016. The Crowning Momen
Rewati Chetri at the grand finale of Senorita India Beauty Pageant 2016. The Crowning Momen
The full-time supermodel and also an actress, was a top 10 finalist at Femina Miss India 2015  pageant where she won Miss India Miss Popular and Miss Multimedia subtitles. Rewati represented India at World Miss University 2016 pageant, held in Beijing, where she bagged the continental crown of Miss Asia University.

In July, she made her debut film in a Hindi flim “Gangs of Northeast”, directed by Rupak Gogoi and co-produced by Sanjive Narain and Kenny Lyngdoh Talang.

Rewati Chetry 2nd from Right crowned Miss International India 2016
Speaking to this correspondent from her hotel in Pune the super model said, ‘I must thank my friends and supporters who lend their support and blessings Miss India happened last year. I cannot name all of them but I sincerely acknowledge immense support from my family and closed friends who stood by me thick and thin. I must credit the social media enthusiasts and North Eastern print and electronic media for their publicity and support that made the way for me to crown Miss International India.’

The super model further added I am now called ‘Gorkhali Gabhuru’ joni from the famous lyrics of Mahamanab Asom Ratna Dr, Bhupen Hazarika – the legend dedicated to Gorkhali beauty of Assam at Kapili river. I must thank my people back home for awarding me this title and keeping me in their prayers and blessing me through out. I will try my best to bring home for India the Miss International 2016, which will be the 56th Miss International pageant; it will be held on October 27, 2016 at the Tokyo Dome City Hall in Tokyo, Japan. It is one of most prestigious and premier pageant in the word founded by the Japanese. She has soughed nation’s support for the Miss International contest.  If she makes it, she will be the first Indian to achieve this feat.

Back home her school, college, university friends have began celebration and social media is full or random shares of her crowned photos. The modeling and fashion fraternity have congratulated her for bringing laurels to the state. The All Assam Gorkhali Mahila Samitee, Greater Guwahati Gorkhali Mahila Samitee, AAGSU Guwahati City Committee, AAGSU and Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh, Dima Hasao District committee and the GACDC have also extended congratulations message to Rewati Chetry. Several students and youth organizations, civil society organizations too have applauded the young model’s feat.

--------------------------x-------------------

World Wide Media Release by Mantraa Media

Rewati Chetri Wins Senorita Miss International India 2016

9:42 AM
Writes John Hingkung

The gorgeous Gorkha beauty from Assam was crowned Senorita Miss International India 2016 in its first edition of the beauty pageant that took place at Novotel Hotel in Pune on Sunday night. She bagged the title defeating 16 other contestants and will now represent India at the Miss International 2016 pageant happening next month in Tokyo, Japan.

Senorita India 2016 Title Holders!
Senorita Miss International India 2016 Rewati Chetri
Senorita Miss Intercontinental India 2016 Aarushi Sharma
Senorita India 2016 1st Runner Up: Sana Dua
Senorita India 2016 2nd Runner Up: Sailee Naazre
Rewati Chhetri Wins Senorita Miss International India 2016
Rewati Chhetri Wins Senorita Miss International India 2016
23-year-old Rewati was born to Baburam Chetri and Mrs. Bina Chetri and grew up in a small town of Haflong, Assam. She attended her schooling from St. Agnes’ Convent High School, Haflong and graduated in commerce degree from Lumding College, Lumding.

Rewati on her FB Post wrote:
"Here I am crowned as Miss India for Miss International 2016.
Thank you God for all the blessings. I know you love me way too much. Thank you for answering my prayers.
Mama, Papa - your little daughter made your dream come true. You raised me up to be who and what I am today. I love you both always.
My sister and brother - you both have been the two shadows of my life always guiding me in the right path. This wouldn't have been possible without you both.
Senorita India Beauty Pageant - thank you so much for choosing me as your winner. I promise to add value to the team and have an amazing reign.
The Voice of Sikkim & NorthEast Today- thank you for all the posts made on behalf of me to create awareness about the my journey at Senorita India 2016
At last but not the least my relatives, friends and every loved one on all social medias. It's your love, support and encouragement that keeps me going. Be with me always.

I will be representing India once again. This time at the prestigious Miss International pageant next Month in Japan. Will definitely give my best shot. Please keep me in your prayers and support me as you always do.

I love you all so much <3 "

The full-time supermodel and also an actress, was a top 10 finalist at Femina Miss India 2015  pageant where she won Miss Popular and Miss Multimedia subtitles. Rewati represented India at World Miss University 2016 pageant, held in Beijing, where she bagged the continental crown of Miss Asia.

In July, she made her debut film in a Hindi flick “Gangs of Northeast”, directed by Rupak Gogoi.


Via sevendiary

Gorkha demands constitutional Indigenous status says Assam Accord cutoff date not applicable to Gorkhas

8:59 AM
Gorkha demands constitutional Indigenous status says Assam Accord cutoff date not applicable to Gorkhas

9th September Khanapra, Guwahati Assam: Gorkhafa Harka Bahadur Chetry, Chairman of Gorkha Autonomous Council Demand Committee (GACDC)  speaking at ‘Raithaney Gorkha Bhela’  reiterated only one demand that Gorkhas should  be recognized as  Indigenous community of Assam in the NRC Upgradation process like other communities of Assam without any discrimination and further added that Assam Accord cutoff date 24th March 1971 midnight cannot be not applicable to Gorkhas  because Gorkhas are ‘Son of the Soil’ and indigenous of the state. Gorkhas have been part of the Assam Agitation to drive out illegal Bangladeshi and Foreigners and laid down lives as one of the agitating community.’

Chetry questioned the Government of Assam,’How can a constituent community of Assam Agitation be charged with the paragraphs of the accord meant for illegal foreigners to be more specific Bangladeshis. It is hence not acceptable therefore Gorkhas should be recognized as indigenous community by Government of Assam. He made it loud and clear that the democratic, peaceful, nonviolent movements is not for mere demanding OI status in NRC and the  Gorkhas are in  favour of no single illegal migrants or foreigners name should be include in NRC and it should upgraded constitutionally.
Harka Bahadur Chetry, Chairman, GACDC Raithaney Gorkha Bhela organised by GACDC supported by several  Gorkha Ethnic Organisations demanding Indigenous status in Assam
More than 15,000 Gorkhas assembled at the Raithaney Gorkha Bhela  organized by Gorkha Autonomous Council Demand Committee (GACDC) with support from indigenous Gorkhas of Assam supported by 10 Gorkha  Ethnic Organizations namely Tamang, Limboo, Khambu Rai, Yakha Dewan, Khas, Bhujel, Thakuri, Mangar, Gurung and Newar  and a number of Non Government Organisations (NGOs). People supported the movement spontaneously and made it a people’s movement despite of obstructions from various quarters of the society. Admit very hot and humid weather the people thronged Khanapara for the Raithaney Gorkha Bhela.

On successful completion of 650km Marathon March – the foot long march rally  that had started from Murkong Selek at Jonai in Dhemaji District to Assam Secretariat, Dispur, Guwahati Assam from 19th July 2016 to 5th Aug 2016, the Government of Assam represented by its senior cabinet minister and president of Asom Gana Parishad- the regional political party of Assam born out of Assam agitation now an ally of BJP led Government of Assam had promised to hold talks with Chief minister of Assam Shri. Sarbanada Sonowal and his cabinet with in 20th Aug 2016 which failed miserably. A press conference was organized on 29th Aug 2016 at Guwahati Press Club to press the Government for talks but it again failed and GACDC declared the Raithaney Gorkha Bhela meaning Indigenous Gorkha Conclave at Khanapara, Guwahati Assam.

Today at the Raithaney Gorkha Bhela –  GACDC Chairman threatened to ‘Fast Unto Death’ from 18th Oct 2015 if the demands are not met which are as follows tripartiate talks between GACDC, Assam Government and Government of India for indigenous status of Gorkhas in Assam and no discrimination in up-gradation of NRC process.

For more info please contact Harka Bahadur Chetry +919954568916 (D)
Digambar Chetri
Secreatary (Media Affairs)
+919707892056

Via Nanda Kirati Dewan

Gorkhas are indigenous, Assam Accord cut off date not applicable to the Gorkhas of Assam : Gorkhafa Harka Bahadur Chetri

10:00 PM
Gorkhas are indigenous and so Assam Accord cut off date not applicable to the Gorkhas of Assam : Gorkhafa Harka Bahadur Chetri

Writes Nanda Kirati Dewan

19 days long 600 kms Marathon March ends at Dispur Lastgate : More than 3000 people rallied from Sonapur to Guwahati

Tripartite talks demanded : Govt. of Assam assures of talks with Chief Minister and State Cabinet and Officials

Guwahati, 6th Aug 2016; The Marathon March against discrimination to Gorkhas of Assam in NRC upgradation process not being recognized as ‘Son of the Soil’ reached Dispur Last Gate at 10.45am in the morning on Friday along with more than three thousand Gorkhas. Harka Bahadur Chetry, popular as Gorkhafa Chairman of Gorkha Autonomous Council Demand Committee (GACDC) representing approximate 30Lakhs Gorkhas of the state had undetaken a non-violent democratic peaceful long march which is was called  ‘MARATHON MARCH’  from Mukong Selek, Jonai in Dhemaji district to Dispur, Guwahati approximately 650 Kms from 19th July 2016 onwards  in protest against discrimination in providing OI (Original Inhabitant ) status to the Gorkhas of Assam in the National Register of Citizens (NRC)  up-gradation process. The route districts wise was Dhemaji, North Lakhimpur, Biswanath Chariali, Sonitpur, Nagoan, Morigoan, Kamrup Rural, Kamrup Metro and Guwahati

On his arrival in Guwahati on the 19th day, immediately after his inaugural speech, he addressed majority of electronic media from Dispur regarding his mission. In the mean time Chief Minister of Assam Shri. Sarbanabda Sonowal who was in New Delhi on a official visit to meet the Prime Minister  advised Senior cabinet Minister, president of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) the regional political party of Assam formed immediately after Assam Accord to initiate talks with Harka Bahadur Chetry on his behalf at the Assam Secretariat. A ten member delegation was invited through Joint Commissioner of Police and Additional DCP Intelligence and Security Azagaran Basumatary to meet Atul Bora , Minister for Agriculture, Horticulture and Food Processing, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, UDD and Town & Country Planning, Govt. of Assam from the Marathon March amalgamation point at Dispur. Dil Bahadur Limbu, Sr. Vice President, GACDC introduced the delegation to Atul Bora while the minister himself introduced his team consisting of senior officers from Home and Political Affairs lead by S S Meenakshi Sundaram IAS, Secretary to Govt. of Assam and senior NRC officials.

In the course of discussion Gorkhafa put forth only one demand that Gorkhas be recognized Indigenous community of Assam in the NRC Upgradation process like other communities of Assam without any discrimination and Assam Accord cutoff date 24th March 1971 midnight cannot be not applicable to Gorkhas  because Gorkhas are ‘son of the Soil’ and indigenous of the state. Gorkhas have been part of the Assam Agitation to drive out illegal Bangladeshi and Foreigners and laid down lives as one of the agitating community. Chetry questioned,’How can a constituent community of Assam Agitation be charged with the paragraphs of the accord meant for illegal foreigners to be more specific Bangladeshis. It is hence not acceptable therefore Gorkhas should be recognized as indigenous community by Government of Assam. He made it loud and clear that his democratic, peaceful, nonviolent silent march is not more demanding OI status in NRC and he is in favour of no single illegal migrants or foreigners name should be include in NRC.

Atul Bora gave a patient hearing and spoke on behalf of the government but expressed inability of any assurances for the demand put forth but spelled the same line no genuine Indian’ names will be left out in updating the NRC and it may be from any background caste or community to which Chetry replied that he was not here to request NRC officers to include names of Gorkhas in NRC which has been left out or marked NOI after walking 600kms but to hold talks with Government of Assam on Assam Accord and Indigenous state of Gorkhas in Assam for which he requested Bora to fix a high level decision making authority meeting with Chief Minister of Assam, Assam Accord Implementation Minister, Representative of Union Home Ministry / Registrar General of India and State NRC Co-ordinator/ Nodal Officer. Bora said that it will be very difficult to arrange such a meeting immediately so he assured to fix a meeting with Chief Minister and State Government Officials as second round of talks after 15th Aug 2016, thereafter if necessary such a tripartite meeting will be arranged in due time.

On Saturday, Gorkhafa informed the developments in a press conference at Gaurisadan in Guwahati where he congratulated both print and electronic media for the support and extended gratitude to the social media which made a huge influence on the youths and impact on greater Assamese society regarding integration as Asomiya. He thanked all the people who supported him throughout the march and acknowledged the team that managed the rally.
He lastly said , ‘This is just the beginning of integrating Gorkhas into greater Assamese society administratively  by peaceful, nonviolent and democratic means and it will go on till Gorkhas are recognized as indigenous in Assam and government machineries treats every indigenous equally as Assamese whether we may be a Bodo, Karbi, Rabha, Tiwa, Ahom, Gorkha, Mishing. Moran or Kalita etc.’

An Open Letter to Narendra Modi Sir From an Honest Assamese

11:29 AM
Writes LEENA HAZARIKA

I have always been a proud civilian of India, but, I am overwhelmingly humiliated to see all the agony some other natives of Assam are going through every year. This is something which I have been thinking from quite some time now. I needed to ask you as to how much do you bother about Assam? We all appreciate the incessant debates about the central government overlooking us and our essentials, but, does the unfortunate people really sense any modifications through these discussions between government and other authorities or are they just regarded as mere tools to another misleading melodrama of yours? Don’t you think it is high time we act more than we discuss about the ongoing complications? We, the deprived people of Assam, don’t worry about your bill and budgets, because, we seldom get time to protect ourselves from the flood which ruins our crops, land and home. We fear about our future, our children starving and the constant horror of death. We panic for our life.

According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority report, the current flood has destroyed around 1.37 lakh hectare of crops this year making over 1.27 lakh people homeless across 19 districts. More than 10 people died till date. We are not even counting the past years yet. Areas like Morigaon, Lakhimpur, Kaziranga, Dhemaji, etc are facing the major breaches of the river Brahmaputra. You, sir talking about digital India, what modern technology do you think, is preferable to save us from the calamity every year? Does this 1.27 lakh people seem nothing to you? We don’t need your statistics as to how much fund are you sending to help us. We want you to come and see as to how much of those funds are being actually used for us.
Let’s, for a second ignore the human beings, but, what about the natural resources and wildlife in Kaziranga?  We people have shelters to run away from but what about those animals who die every year due to our negligence and lack of protection. Does providing wildlife rehabilitation and reservation centres are enough to protect them?
Assam Flood
Assam Flood
Sir, for you, it might not be a natural calamity but for the poor farmers, who goes hungry day and night to get their annual crops, it surely is a natural disaster. For the children who cannot visit their school for education, it is a natural calamity. For the families who lost their loved ones, it is a natural calamity. For the animals who can’t voice their pain, it is a natural calamity. For the family who loses their whole future in just one day, it is a natural calamity. For the people who see their own houses being taken away by flood, it is a natural calamity.

It is easier for us, who are fortunate enough to live a prosperous life, to comment that flood happens all the time. But, those people are going through much more than that. We understand, it is wrong to comment as to why Chennai, Mumbai, etc. gets help and media coverage as all human beings are equal in the eye of law. But, Article 21 of the Indian constitution gives right to life for everyone including the poor inhabitants of Assam too. So, why don’t you prove to us this time that your Government doesn’t neglect us as we feel so. If, that’s too much we are asking for then you are failing us as the representative of the people.

             
 
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