Gorkha organization demands Constitutional safeguards

GUWAHATI: The Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP), Assam State delegation on Monday met State Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna regarding constitutional safeguards of Gorkhas with respect to safeguards of constitutional, administrative, legislative rights under Clause VI of Assam Accord on being implemented identifying Gorkhas as one of the constituent indigenous groups of Assam.

BGP national president Sukhman Moktan lead the delegation while Assam State president Prakash Dahal briefed the Chief Secretary about Gorkhas joint representation on Clause VI to the high-level committee headed by former Judge of Gauhati High Court Biplab Kumar Sharma, and expressed anguish over non inclusion of Gorkhas in the report.

Dahal, leader of the BGP delegation humbly reminded the Chief Secretary that the soul of Assam Agitation is Assam Accord and the soul of Assam Accord is Clause VI. It is an established fact that the Gorkhas too attained Martyrdom in the 6-year-long Assam Agitation, he stated.

"It astonishes Gorkhas to see on what ground they are left out from such an important report, which otherwise would been a historic report," he added.

In the meeting Dahal gave a commentary on Gorkhas' facts and figures from various periods and referred to historic treaties, documented history, gazzetted notifications to draw conclusion that Gorkhas too are son of the soil and an indigenous group of Assam.

Nanda Kirati Dewan, spokesperson of Assam State BGP said, "While welcoming the preparation of historic report, BGP submitted its observations about the report to the Government of Assam in its memorandum presented to the Chief Secretary. We officially placed Gorkhas' dissent to the Assam Accord Clause VI implementing department on the high-level committee report which is in public domain."

The Chief Secretary assured to take initiative on the BGP's representation. The delegation requested the Chief Secretary to take initiative in this regard with the Union Home Ministry. The Chief Secretary also said that the Gorkha community shouldn't have any apprehension about their constitutional rights being hampered. He further informed that government is taking initiatives and measures in several spheres to resolve pending issues and preserve, protect and empower the Gorkhas in Assam.

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