Clear stand: Gorkhas to BTC

LAND OWNERSHIP ISSUE

 FROM A CORRESPONDENT

GORESWAR, March 4: An important meeting was held at Bhulajhar Bangalipara High School on Sunday under the aegis of All Assam Gorkha Students’ Union and in collaboration with All BTC Regiol Gorkha Students’ Union, on the issue of land law. The meeting was presided over by Prem Tamang, president of AAGSU, and the purpose was explained by Rohit Dahal, secretary, BTC Region Gorkha Students’ Union.

Addressing the gathering, Prem Tamang, president of the All Gorkha Students’ Union said, “We are not against any community, we are only fighting for our rights. History proves that Gorkhas are also indigenous people of Assam. But we are always politically and economically deprived. But we will not remain silent if our fundamental and constitutiol rights are denied. We are not against the BTC accord. We only demand our land rights and fundamental rights.”

 Attending in the meeting, Jon Kumar Chouhan, president of BTC region Gorkha Students’ Union said that Gorkhas were included as protected community in the land revenue act, 1886 under paragraph 10 in tribal belt and block. “But unfortutely the BTC authority always tries to deprive the Gorkhas of their fundamental rights,” he alleged. He also asked the BTC authority to clarify its stand on land issue within 15 days or the Gorkhas would launch stir.