GNLF leaders joined ABGL - More likely to join... UGRF Chief Dahal released on bail

KalimNews: Ex-Councillors of DGHC K.N.Subba of Gorubathan and Rajen Mukhia of Panighatta leaving GNLF joined Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League. In a programme held in Kalimpong ABGL announced that these two top brass GNLF leaders were inducted in ABGL. Tika Khati of Mirik  (an Ex-Secretary of DGHC), CB Tamang, Mary Minj, Sangita Toppo and Palden Lama also joined ABGL. A source indicated that Dawa Sherpa of Kalimpong, Tshering Sherpa of Kafer, Tshering Dahal Ex Panchayat Pradhan of Sukuna are also likely to join ABGL.

Addressing a press conference Dawa Sherpa Working President of ABGL announced that the two with their supporters resigned from GNLF and membership of ABGL was granted to them.  Sherpa said that ABGL has no enmity with GJMM and it wants peace in the hills as such it will continue its agitation for the creation of a separate state. He further said that their agitation will be Delhi based. He reminded that ABGL has filed a suit in Kolkata High Court demading proper enquiry on murder of its the then President Madan Tamang. He said that the party's demand for CBI enquiry of the murder is likely to be started by the center.
ABGL Subdivisional committee too was reconstituted today. Tribhuan Rai as President, Kamal Chhetri as Vice President, Tshewang Bhutia as Secretary, Santa Bdr Chhetri as Asst Secretary, Urel Rai as Treasurer along with 9 executive members were  elected in the Committee. Tarun Gorkha was also constituted with Tshewang Bhutia as President and Manoj Chhetri as Secretary of the youth wing of ABGL. 

IANS, Siliguri, Sep 18 : Rajen Mukhiya, a long-time close aide of Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) president Subhas Ghising, Saturday joined the Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League (ABGL).

Mukhiya, who resigned from the GNLF last month accusing Ghising of being 'inactive' during a vital stage of the hill politics and Gorkhaland movement, announced his decision to join the ABGL at a crowded media meet here in West Bengal's Darjeeling district.

Mukhiya said: 'The GNLF has virtually become extinct. I have pleaded with Ghising so many times to return to the hills and take part in active politics. We also urged him to make his stand clear on the Gorkhaland movement and on ABGL president Madan Tamang's murder. But he has maintained a stony silence.'

He also alleged that Ghising is maintaining 'covert-alliance' with the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) which is now spearheading the Gorkhaland movement in the Darjeeling hills. The GJM has been held responsible by its political opponents for the May 21 murder of Tamang, he said.

Accusing the Bimal Gurung-led GJM of fomenting trouble in the hills and ruining its economy, Mukhiya said: 'The ABGL is the best platform to fight against the GJM atrocities.'

Along with Mukhiya, the former convenor of GNLF's Terai branch, hundreds of his followers joined the ABGL. Some GJM leaders like Prakash Subba also announced in the media meet that they were casting their lot with the ABGL.

ABGL working president Dawa Sherpa welcomed Mukhiya and his associates and said: 'The downfall of the GJM has started. We will strengthen our movement against the GJM shortly.'

Meanwhile, seven GJM youth leaders have started a hunger strike in front of the district magistrate's office in Darjeeling town, demanding that the administration present Nicol Tamang, the prime accused in the Madan Tamang murder case, before the public.

Nicol Tamang fled from police custody near Siliguri Aug 22 a week after his arrest.

The three subdivisions -- Kalimpong, Kurseong and Darjeeling -- comprising the hilly areas of Darjeeling district have been on the boil for years with a section of political parties rooting for the creation of a separate state of Gorkhaland.

The GNLF had been in the forefront of the agitation since the late 1980s and ran the autonomous Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council, enjoying a virtual monopoly over hill politics. However, the GJM overshadowed the GNLF to seize control of the Gorkhaland movement in 2008.

Ghising was practically driven out of the hills and now stays in the plains of New Jalpaiguri. 

Around 350 GJM, GNLF activists join ABGL
UNI, Siliguri, Sep 18: Around 350 activists of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) and Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) today shifted allegiance to the Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League (ABGL).

A key member of Subhash Ghising-led GNLF Rajan Mukhia, who also switched over to ABGL, alleged that Ghising was secretly supporting GJM and that was the reason why he changed sides.

Besides Mukhia, various other members of the GJM, including women activists, joined ABGL. ABGL working president Dawa Sherpa, welcomed the activists into the partyfold. He also welcomed Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is likely to visit the hills in the last week of September, and said any political party is welcome in the hills.

''We believe in non-violence and peaceful means of protest and and won't oppose similar move by any political party,'' he added.
KalimNews:49 ABGL supporters and 6 CPRM supporters of Ghoom Jorebunglow resigned from their parties and joined GJMM. During a programme at Patleybas headquarters and residence of Bimal Gurung, President of GJMM they surrendered their party flags to Gurung. 
Tea garden bonus announced 
KalimNews: After a meeting with the tea planters union the bonus for the year 2010 was announced. Workers of Tea garden graded in Group A, B and C will receive 20 percent while D will receive 18 percent bonus. Last year bonus received by Group A was 18 , B 16.5 , C 15 and D 13.25 percent.

Armed Police for hills

KalimNews: As Center is withdrawing two companies of CRPF deployed to Darjeeling a month ago State government has decided to deploy State armed police in Darjeeling Hills.  Considering the need of security force in Commonwealth games and Bihar election Central government has withdrawn the force. 

PTI, Kolkata: The West Bengal government today said two companies of central forces deployed in Darjeeling have been withdrawn despite its request for their extension. "Two companies of CRPF posted in Darjeeling have been withdrawn from the hills from September 10 despite request by the West Bengal government for their extension," Home Secretary Samar Ghosh told reporters here.

The law and order situation in Darjeeling is now being looked after by the State Armed Police (SAP), he said.

Asked whether the withdrawal of the central forces was due to coming Assembly elections in Bihar or the deteriorating situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Ghosh said it could be for some other reason too.

UGRF Chief Dahal released on bail

KalimNews: Ajay Dahal, President of UGRF and wanted in a murder of GNLF supporter Yohan Sing Lepcha in Kalimpong and arrested in arms act in Gangtok was released simultaneously on bail by ACJM Kalimpong and CJM Gangtok. 
Dahal was arrested by Sikkim police on  9 February 2010 with a country made pistol and 3 cartridges. Later he was  handed over to Kalimpong police station for his trial and cases against Lepcha's murder and an armed struggle against the state government. Cases registered against Dahal were under section 112, 113, 120,302-34, IPC and arms act.
Previously he had threatened the then GNLF Councillors and leaders and lately threatening Bimal Gurung and leaders of GJMM through pamphlets. But very recently he was not aggressive and was maintaining low profile. 
Before forming UGRF Dahal was the AGSU chief of Kalimpong chapter and later resigned it to join GNLF 'C' and after a brief period started another new party UGRF on 21 November 2004 in Kalimpong.
Suddenly on 5 September 2006 Dahal announced the formation of United Gorkha Revolutionary Army from UGRF and an armed struggle for the creation of a separate state and went underground. At that time UGRF had a few youth and having armed training in their hideout around the forest of Santuk area near Algarah. During this period Yohan Sing Lepcha was shot dead in the night of 24- morning of 25 October 2006.  UGRF took the responsibilty of the murder through a press report and branded Lepcha as an informer of police and GNLF.
In the same case of murder Dahal's accomplice Suk bdr Subba was arrested from one of his hideout by Kalimpong Police on 28th November 2006 later Subba was freed on bail.
Darjeeling Police also had arrested 10 members of UGRF in 2006 during the raids. Later Ajay changed his hideout and finally stationed at Sikkim and was contacting media from there. His chief accomplice and advisor Rudra Acharya is still at large. Dahal had refuted allegations registered against him and said that it is a political conspiracy to shut his voice and his agitation.
Stranded tourists rescued by Sikkim police, locals
Prakha, GANGTOK, September 18: Sixty tourists, who had been struck in a slide while coming down to Gangtok from a Changu lake trip yesterday, have returned back safely to Gangtok today through the Rongli-Nathu La road.
The tourists had gone to Changu lake on a sightseeing trip in six vehicles from Rongli- Nathu La circuit after getting permission from the police.
Tourist movement from Gangtok-Nathu La (Jawaharlal Nehru Marg) is presently prohibited due to vulnerable road conditions.
Sources inform that after completing the Changu lake trip, the tourists decided to drop down to Gangtok from the Jawaharlal Nehru Marg and were left stranded at 17^th Mile when a slide broke out at around 4:30 pm.
Sikkim police personnel stationed at outposts along the Gangtok-Nathu La road came forward along with the local residents to help the stranded tourists. The tourists were recovered from their predicament and given warm shelter for the night by the local residents at their houses.
The tourists were sent back to Gangtok through the Rongli-Nathu La road today morning. The slides are expected to be cleared by Monday. 
Rural Football for friendship

KalimNews, Jholung,  18 September : Police Public Friendship Football Festival of rural level was inaugurated by Devendra Pratap  Singh,  SP Darjeeling Police in Jholung today. During a opening ceremony organised by Jaldhaka Police Station Singh freed a dove indicating that Police are for the peace and harmony of the public and the nation. Singh kicked the ball while inaugurating a friendship match between Jaldhaka veterans nine versus SP Darjeeling Nine, the later won the match by 1-0. 

Two more matches were played between MSK Gairigaon & Springdales Girls team versus MSK Dalgaon Girls and another match between Jaldhaka Nine and Dalgaon Nine. Gaurav Sharma ASP Siliguri, Kunal Agarwal ASP Darjeeling and Smt J Dorji ASP Kalimpong were also present in the ceremony. Final match will be played on 3^rd October 2010.  
Petroleum dealers strike defers
IBNS, New Delhi, Sept 18: Petroleum dealers on Saturday announced of deferring their indefinite strike from September 20 following assurances from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas that their demands will be looked into.
The decision to defer the strike was taken following a meeting between Union minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Murli Deora, his junior minister Jitin Prasada, top officials of the ministry and representatives of the Federation of All India petroleum Traders’ Associaition. A spokesperson of the petroleum dealers’ body said that it was agreed that a committee would be constituted to look into the demand of the dealers for a commission of 5 per cent of the retail price of the products against the fixed rates at present.
The committee will submit its report within three months.
On the dealers’ opposition to more petrol bunks, it was decided that the oil companies would open new retail outlets, if needed, with proper permission from the Ministry.
Regarding another demand of the dealers for a uniform retail price of automobile fuels across the country, the meeting agreed that the Ministry would approach the Finance Ministry since the issue involved government levies.

Emergency indispensable - Dead Body Carrying Van for Darjeeling on 18 September 2010

Rabin Rai, Photo: Mohan Lama, (Source:Darjeelingtimes.com)

Pranai Rai , MLA Darjeeling handing over Documents and keys of the Santi Rath to Gorkha Dukha Niwarak Sammmelan  authorities of Darjeeling

Beacon of the eastern himalayas

SNS, 17 September, subrata chowdhury profiles the Lepcha community, their rich culture and their woes 

HISTORIANS and anthropologists are divided on the origin of the Lepchas but quite a number of them believe the lines go back to Mongolia. This, they deduce, was where it all began thousands of years ago and that a considerable section of this tribe — numerically one of the largest in the east — moved southward and came to settle in present day Sikkim.

It is stated in the Chunakh Akhen, an ancient Lepcha history book, that Pohartak Panu, Lepcha king of Sikkim, had sent an army contingent to help the Hindu king Chandra Gupta Maurya repel an attack by Greek invader Alexander the Great. That was in the fourth century BC.
There are many stories marked with glory concerning this ethnic race, undoubtedly one of the oldest in the Indian subcontinent. This tough and hardworking clan makes up a chunk of the population that helps the wheels turn in the magnificent but challenging mountain tracts starting from the northern Dooars ending up in Tibet and beyond.
Life up there is not easy. It’s a demanding task to live and sustain oneself, except for a few landed and privileged ones. There is no industry at that altitude other than cottage- and handicraft-based ones. Bamboo-craft is the mainstay and the varied items resulting from this artful pursuit find a wide market within the country and outside. The Lepchas in Sikkim are, of course, mostly employed in government and non-government organizations, while some run their own businesses and others are engaged in agriculture or handicrafts.

The Lepchas settled outside Sikkim, all around the North-east, take to a little agriculture in scattered patches in valleys or on slopes cleared of woods that yield two types of paddy, Dumbra and Ongrey-Zo. The quality of the rice husked from these types is of a very fine grain. During the celebrations ushering in the Lepcha New Year, Nambun, or during a marriage ceremony, the aromatic rice is cooked and served with much gusto. Kunchung is the Lepcha name for the maize they cultivate uphill and Mongbree, the millet they grow, is mostly a staple food.
Civil works, like removing boulders or bulwarking the base of the gradients against possible landslides, are other opportunities for uneducated and impoverished members of this hill tribe to earn a living.
The Lepchas who spread to West Bengal’s Darjeeling district a long time worked, till not too long ago, as labourers, but have, of late, embraced education as an honourable means to an end. Many Lepcha youths are well educated and are employed in the electronic and Information Technology fields.
Predominantly Buddhists, a significant portion of Lepchas, by the turn of the 19th century, converted to Christianity, perhaps owing to British rule. The Lepcha culture is full of absorbing folklore and a bibliophile would find much interest in browsing through their history.
The Lepchas believe they were born of a union between Fodongthing an Nazaongnyoo, the male and the female created by God from the sanctimonious snow peak of Kingtsoom Zaongboo Choo, the Lepcha name for Mount Kanchenjungha. This, in fact, makes a Lepcha a devout lover of nature. Like Kanchenjungha, they worship other peaks, too, and have Lepcha names for each.
An offshoot of history can be referred to here that relates to King Turve. It is narrated in Lepcha scriptures that the king was a very courageous and resolute person who had taken the responsibility to reform, mobilise and unify the Lepchas into a cognizable mass in his kingdom of Sikkim, which was considered one of the most powerful kingdoms in the subcontinent then. King Turve, or The Punu, the Lepcha term, is said to have demarcated his kingdom into as far a part of Darjeeling in association with the Limbu tribe and had his capital in the vicinity of Kurseong.

The Punu Turve ruled during the first half of the 15th century and mustered an army that could fight any type of war, from guerrilla to front-to-front combat.
That the Lepchas have age-old roots in the North-east is evident from the fact that most of rivers, valleys, ravines, gorges, mountains and places around the eastern Himalayas bear Lepcha names. The names of Sonada (the Sleeping Place of the Bear), Mirik, Kalimpong, Kurseong, Pokharibong, Darjeeling (Darjulang) and Lebong (Aleybung) deserve mention. The Lepcha language is called Rongring and is a little akin to Tibetan and Burmese. The Gazetteer of Sikkim states that the Lepcha script was officially introduced by Chador Namgyal, the third Chogyal of Sikkim. But it is a matter of controversy.
Many historians say that it was done several hundreds of years earlier and accredit a few luminous names to it.
The sartorial taste of the Lepchas is unique and of a very colourful nature. Thokro-Dum is the name of the traditional men’s wear and the ladies wear Dumvum. Both garbs equip a person from head to foot and stand out as trademarks.
But the amenable and peace-loving Lepchas staying in West Bengal, especially in Darjeeling, are a bit discontented of late. Though domiciled in the state for a long period, they are not considered citizens of the state.
According to Bhupendra Lepcha, a 32-year-old lawyer from Sonada and convener of the Lepcha Youth Association, the state government categorises them as “Sikkimese” in the “Security Certificate” issued to them since 2004. As a result, they are not considered eligible for recruitment in the state police or armed forces. Some 200-odd Lepchas, including 16 women, had gone on a hungerstrike for an indefinite period at College Square in Kolkata from 8 September, 2010. The latest information says they are patiently awaiting a hearing by the state government which has so far turned a deaf ear since the 3 September when Bhupendra led a delegation to Writers’ Buildings following a demonstrations in Siliguri from 8-14 August.   

MK Subba on controversy

Sikkim News- News Live Tv- 18 Sep, Guwahati: Controversial Congress leader and former Tezpur Lok Sabha MP Mani Kumar Subba embroiled in another controversy. After the citizenship row, the lottery baron now finds himself under the scanner with a woman filing a police complaint at Chandmari police station, Guwahati leveling rape charges against Subba. First charges of running an illegal lottery network, then charges of not being an Indian national and now rape charges against controversial Congress leader and former Tezpur Lok Sabha MP Mani Kumar Subba. As is controversies and Mani Kumar Subba are two sides of the same coin. Mani Kumar Subba is now under the scanner with a 35-year-old woman filing a police complaint at Chandmari Police station against Subba alleging that Subba had raped her. The woman alleged Mani Kumar Subba had sexually molested her at his Silpukhuri residence on July 13. Questions, however, are being raised as to whether her allegations are true or whether she is targeting the former Tezpur MP. Even the police is smelling a rat, and have launched a detailed investigation into the incident. Considering Subba’s past history, the allegation is likely to stir another controversy in the days to come.
PMS remedy

IANS, London, Sep 19 : Millions of women now could be freed from the monthly misery of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) by taking a tiny dose of a common drug for a few days.

A major breakthrough has uncovered the cause of the debilitating cramps and mood swings that blight most women, reports express.co.uk.

Giving them a low dose of the common anti-depressant Prozac could stop PMS for good.
For the first time neuroscientists have found an organic cause for the condition when the levels of a female sex hormone changes.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham, led by Thelma Lovick, have shown that premenstrual-like symptoms can be triggered in female rats by a change in the level of secretion of one of the female sex hormones that normally occurs towards the end of the menstrual cycle in women.
In tests, the team found that PMS could be prevented by giving low doses of Prozac which is also known as fluoxetine.
Lovick said: “All that would be needed for countless women to benefit from what could be a simple and accessible treatment, involving a drug that is already in widespread use, is clinical tests to refine it and identify the optimal dosing strategy.”
PMS causes pain and upset for millions of women worldwide.
Although not all women show all the symptoms, around 75 percent of women are thought to experience some of them.
These can include anxiety, mood swings, tiredness, depression, headaches, feeling bloated and pains in the joints. 


A poem by Yatrisekhar (http://www.yatrishekhar.blogspot.com/)
दुवै असफल
तिमीले मागेको जून
फूल भए टिपेर दिन्थे
तिमीले मागेको तारा
मुना भए चुडेर
दिन्थे माग्यौ
इन्द्रेणी हार भए लगाइ दिन्थे
बादल ओढ्छु भन्यौ
ओढाइ दिन्थे घुम्टो भए
अनि माग्यौ यस्तै यस्तै
नीलो आकाश
घामको टाटा......

तिमी असफल भयौ
पूरा भएन माग
तिम्रो माग पूरा गर्न नसक्ने
म किन सफल हुन्थे र
असफल भयौं दुवै
र त छौं एउटै अंगालोमा ।