www.telegraphindia.com
Darjeeling, July 4: The ABGL has “advised” Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leaders not to be selective in defying Bengal’s rule, referring to their decision to change the number plates of vehicles in the hills to GL (Gorkhaland) from WB.

ABGL president Madan Tamang said today: “I am trying to advise (the Morcha), not criticise them. If the logic behind changing the number plates is to defy Bengal’s rule, then why is the Morcha being selective? Where there is chair and power like the municipality and the panchayat, they have no problems in accepting Bengal’s rule. Where there is nothing, they are not accepting it.

“If they really want to defy Bengal’s rule, than it should be defied from A to Z and not selectively as the real objective is to start a civil disobedience movement.”

Bimal Gurung’s party wants vehicles in the hills to sport the new number plates from July 7. The All Gorkha Hill Transport Joint Action Committee, the Morcha’s transport wing, is overseeing the change and it has already asked car-owners in the hills to submit all documents related to their vehicles.

“Before taking any decision, the pros and cons have to be discussed properly. Why are the people not being consulted before such decisions (are taken)?” asked Tamang.

The ABGL chief maintained that the Morcha should not force the hill people to change the number plates. “They are now saying that those who do not make the change are against Gorkhaland. Is this democratic? Hundreds of people have laid down their lives for Gorkhaland in the past and I, too, have gone to jail. Just because I do not change my number plate, do I become anti-Gorkhaland?”

The president of the oldest party in the hills also spoke of the need for a more democratic atmosphere in the hills. “They (the Morcha) talk of the democratic process being violated when they are not allowed to hold a public meeting in Siliguri. However, the same party stopped us from holding a meeting at Chowk Bazar on June 16,” Tamang said.

He added that Gorkhaland would be meaningless unless there was democracy in the hills. “We want our statehood because we want our own people to rule us.”