Gurung stays on for talks; Ghisingh rushes to Delhi

The standing committee report on the proposed Bill on Sixth Schedule status for Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC), placed before Parliament today, suggested that the Union Home ministry should have a fresh look at the issue taking into consideration the ground reality in the hills.

Ghisingh, who came to know about the report at a one-to-one meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattachajee this morning, dashed off to New Delhi by an evening flight. A visibly upset Ghisingh refused to talk to the media. Asked if the government had asked him to resign, he said no. Asked if he was complying with the agitation’s demand that he resign, he said no. His close aides said he was hoping to return to Darjeeling with the proposed Bill placed in Parliament. But that too, appears uncertain now.

Ghisingh has now few options. If he forces entry into Darjeeling with the help of his cadres, it may lead to bloodshed. He may ask for security cover from the government. But judging by the mood in the hills, such a step may trigger violence as well. Or he may just step down. The state government has once again invited Gorkha Janamukti Morcha chief, Bimal Gurung, for talks tomorrow afternoon before the delegation meets Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi.

Gurung, who is in Kolkata with his team, said: “If Ghisingh wants to enter Darjeeling, he has to step down. People have accepted him for 21 years but no more.”

Asked if the state government is planning to deploy paramilitary forces in the hills, the home secretary PR Ray said several companies of Central forces have been kept as stand-by in the area. “The government is closely watching the developments,” he said.