Chizokho Vero
Kohima | July 30
Joining the “Global Gorkhaland Unity March” across 150 plus cities/towns across five continents, the Gorkhas of Nagaland under the aegis of the Nagaland Gorkha Association (NGA) today staged a peaceful unity march here and extended strong support for creation of Gorkhaland.
Around 10,000 Gorkhas from Kohima, Tseminyu, Zubza, Lalmati, Medziphema and other surrounding villages turned up at the rally. The rally started from Chandmari via PWD junction/Classic Island and culminated at Raj Bhavan after submitting a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi through Nagaland Governor PB Acharya.
NPMHR, NTC, T. Khel Council, ASU, extend solidarity
A solidarity message from Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) Secretary General Neingulo Krome, read out in a brief function stated “The Global Gorkhaland Unity March is indeed a very significant initiative which will be remembered not only as a historic event but has already added big feather move for Gorkhaland, which is a victory itself that has literally brought every Gorkha together cutting across all barriers of countries and continents regardless of geographical boundaries for the first time in the 110 years of struggle and perseverance.”
He also told Gorkhas that “as you continue to fight for your rights, don’t take pride anymore in violence, and to say that we are ready to die for our motherland or fatherland, but that we will democratically fight any which way and to live for what we are fighting for.”
Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) member Joshua Newmai said that the Gorkhand’s issue is India’s priority and there is no logic in delaying the issue any further and ignoring it is an exhibition of deliberate insensitivity to human plight.
Stating that NTC stands for justice and is in support of the Gorkha people, Newmai said “the entire global community should extend unflinching solidarity to the Gorkhas and the people of Darjeeling Hills for realization of their aspiration in nothing short of Gorkhaland.”
Thepfuvilie Suohu, Chairman ,T Khel Council, Kohima Village extended blessings and support to Gorkhas while Visako Rino, President Angami Students’ Union extended solidarity to the cause.
Pledges solidarity to people of Darjeeling
NGA General Secretary, PK Thapa meanwhile said that the Gorkhas of Nagaland are proud to participate in the Global Unity March Rally and standing in solidarity with their Gorkha brothers and sisters in Darjeeling. He said the demand for Gorkhaland is basically a question of the Gorkha Indian political identity.
Thapa lamented that the Gorkhas have been deprived and discriminated against in all spheres by the West Bengal government and felt like second-class citizens, adding “Their self respect, pride and dignity has been hurt, there is a feeling of neglect and frustration.”
“We therefore join the Global Gorkhaland Unity March to show the Government of India as well as Government of West Bengal that the people of Darjeeling are not isolated, the Gorkhas of whole world are with them. We march for the dreams and aspirations of our children, we march for our identity, language, culture and our birthright in India,” Thapa said.
Memorandum to Prime Minister
After the peaceful march to Raj Bhavan, the NGA submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India through Nagaland Governor, PB Acharya in support of creation of Gorkhaland.
The memorandum stated that Indian Gorkhas have been permanently settled in various parts of India which accounts for about 1.5 crores in population. Besides, Darjeeling district and adjoining Dooars under Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal is the home of about 35 lakhs Gorkhas with an approximate area of 6450 Sq. Km.
“As per history, these people have been ruled, administered and exploited by numerous rulers, administrators, agency as well as dictators. But till today no authority appeared to have given due attention on the logistic development of region vis-à-vis ethnic people on the principle of democratic welfare state,” the memorandum stated.
The memorandum said that ethnic Gorkhas of Darjeeling are treated second class citizens in their own homeland. “As such it is not possible for them to be ruled and governed under the same State Administrative setup. They have been subjected to racial discrimination and marginalization thereby a great injustice has been meted to them from generation to generation.”
It asked the PM “to give us justice by granting a full-fledged State of Gorkhaland under the Constitution of India.” “This is also the desire and aspiration of entire Gorkha community of India to establish their Indian identity so that every Gorkha can proudly defend their country i.e. “BHARAT” from the enemy with a sense of pride, honour and dignity,” the memorandum added.
