Ghising stopped from entering Darjeeling

The police picked up Ghising from Bagdogra airport in a bullet-proof car and took him to Pintal village on the city’s outskirts, where he was lodged for the night.

GJM chief Bimal Gurung threatened serious law and order problems if Ghising tried to enter the hills by force.

GJM publicity secretary Benoy Tamang said the locals and the tea garden workers had volunteered to keep vigil at night in order to ensure Ghising does not enter Darjeeling.

Meanwhile, at Writers’ Building, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee held meetings with Minister for Urban Development Ashok Bhattacharya, Chief Secretary Amit Kiran Deb and Home Secretary Prasad Ranjan Ray to discuss the issue.

Gurung, who was once Ghising’s former right hand man, has put forth three demands — the removal of Ghising as DGHC administrator; scrapping the process of bringing Daejeeling in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and statehood for Darjeeling. “There is no question of granting statehood to Darjeeling. An all-party resolution of the state Assembly has already made it clear. When the Parliament passed the Sixth Schedule Bill, Ghising will cease to be the DGHC administrator. As soon that happens, an interim council will take over. Moreover, once the bill is passed, the council will have enormous powers which will nearly amount statehood for them,” Bhattacharya said.

He also said that External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee had assured the West Bengal Government that efforts would be made to have the Sixth Schedule Bill passed in the ensuing Budget Session of the Parliament.

Asked what will happen if the bill was not passed by March 24 — the day Ghising’s term expires — Bhattacharya said in such a situation, a fresh decision will have to be taken. “The economic blockade should be withdrawn as it will affect ordinary people living in the hills,” he said. He added if tourists face any difficulty in returning from Darjeeling, the state government will be responsible for their security.