Cave-in clogs Sikkim road for 8 hours -40-metre stretch of NH31A sinks along Teesta
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| BRO personnel clear the stretch affected by the cave-in on NH31A at Likhubhir on Wednesday. Picture by Chinlop Fudong Lepcha |
A large number of people, including tourists, had to take a detour to reach their destinations as hundreds of vehicles were stuck on either side of the affected stretch at Likhubhir.
The highway opened for traffic again at 2pm after the Border Roads Organisation cut the hillside to bypass the breach at Likhubhir, 18km from here.
A source in the BRO, which maintains the road, said the cave-in had occurred between 5.30am and 6am. “A 40-metre stretch of the highway completely sank and the rubble fell into the Teesta flowing along the road. A protection wall we were constructing to stem the erosion of the roadside also sank. Bulldozers were pressed into service and the hillside was cut to skirt the breached portion and reconnect the road. The traffic resumed on NH31A around 2pm,” said a BRO official.
Likhubhir is 2km down the Teesta bridge and has always been prone to landslides and cave-ins. In fact, today’s cave-in occurred about 200 metres from the portion that had sank last year, resulting in traffic block for hours.
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| Commuters from the Siliguri side walk over boulders to reach the other side of the affected part of the road. Picture by Chinlop Fudong Lepcha |
राष्ट्रिय राजमार्ग 31 ए आठ घण्टासम्म अचल
मनोज वोगटी, कालिमन्युज, कालेबुङ,20 जुलाई। मंगलबार राती अनि वुधवार विहान परेको भारी वर्षाको कारण सिक्किमको जीवनरेखा राष्ट्रिय राजमार्ग 31 ए. टिस्टादेखि 1.5 किमि. टाड़ामा 40 मिटर भित्ता धस्किएपछि आठ घण्टासम्म सिक्किमको यातायात सेवा देशसँग बिछिन्न बन्यो। आज विहान 5.30 देखि 6 बजीको बीचमा उक्त ठाउँमा पैह्रो आएको थियो। गत वर्ष मात्र उक्त ठाउँमा नै पैह्रो गएपछि भर्खरै मात्र पैह्रो रोकथाम कार्य पूर्ण भइसकेको थियो। आज त्यहीं ठाउँमा पुनः भयानक पैह्रो गएकोले गत वर्ष मात्र भित्तामा जाली तारहरूले बेहेरेर लगाइएको देवलहरू पूर्ण रूपले यसपल्टको पैह्रोले भत्किएको छ। आज गएको पैह्रोको खबर पाएपछि ग्रेफ अधिकारी उक्त ठाउँमा पुगी पैह्रो सोहोर्ने कार्य शुरू भएको थियो। 
सिक्किम कालेबुङ अनि कतिपय दार्जीलिङतर्फ गइरहेका यात्रीहरू सड़कको दुइपट्टि कैयौं घण्टासम्म फँसेका थिए। पहिले ग्रेफको एक डोजरले दिउँसो बाह्र बजेसम्म पैह्रो गएको ठाउँमा भित्ता काट्ने कार्य गर्यो। पछिबाट एकतर्फी बाटो खोलिएपछि ट्रान्सिपको माध्यमबाट यात्रीहरू आवत-जावत गरेको देखियो। ट्रान्सिपमा मौकाको फाइदा उठाएर ड्राइभरहरूले धेरै नै मनमानी पनि गरिरहेको थियो। उक्त ठाउँमा आज ट्राफिक व्यवस्था अनियन्त्रित रहेको थियो।
पैह्रो सोहोर्नको निम्ति ग्रेफ अधिकारीले पछिबाट अझ एउटा जेसीभी राहत कार्यमा लगाएपछि लगभग 1.30 बजेतिर सड़कको माथिल्लो भित्ता काटेर वाहन हिँड्न लायकको बनाइयो। त्यसपछि धेरै हदसम्म कालेबुङ अनि सिक्किमगामी वाहनहरूले राहत पाए। हाल राजमार्गमा दिनहुँ जाने गरेको पैह्रोले सिक्किमगामी वाहनहरूलाई सबैभन्दा धेर असर परिरहेको छ।
आज पनि सिक्किमको धेरजसो वाहनहरू आधा बाटोबाट नै पुनः सिक्किमतर्फ नै फर्किए भने कालेबुङगामी वाहनहरू गोरूवथान भएर गुड़े। समाचार लेखुञ्जेलसम्म राजमार्गमा वाहनहरू केवल एकतर्फी मात्र चलिरहेको थियो। ग्रेफ अधिकारी ए ई बलवन्त सिंहले बताए अनुसार बाटो चॉंड़ै नै फराकिलो बनाएर बाहनहरू दुइतर्फी हिँड्न लायकको बनाइनेछ।
फोटो-मुकेश शर्मा
पोस्योर वस्तीको पूल एकै पल्टको झरीले बगाएर लानसक्ने अवस्थामा
मनोज वोगटी, कालिमन्युज, कालेबुङ,20 जुलाई। यहॉंको पॉंच माइलस्थित पोस्योर वस्ती अनि कालेबुङ शहरलाई जोड्ने मुख्य पूल हाल सोचनीय अवस्थामा रहेको छ। अब कुनै पनि दिन भारी वर्षा भए एकै पल्टको पानीले पूल बगाएर लानसक्ने अवस्थामा रहेको छ। विशेष गरी कृषिमा निर्भर गर्ने पोस्योर वस्तीका मानिसहरूको यही पूल भएर साग-सब्जीहरू बेच-विखन गर्न अनि विद्यार्थीहरू पढ्न कालेबुङ शहर आउने गर्छन्। सयौं मानिसहरू दिनहुँ ओहोर-दोहोर गर्ने उक्त पूल कुनै पनि दिन पैह्रोले सोहोरेर लानसक्ने अवस्थामा छ। यदि उक्त पूल चॉंड़ै निर्माण नगरिए आफूहरूलाई हुनसम्मको असुविधा हुने बताउँछन् क्षेत्रवासीहरू। 2009 सालमा पनि क्षेत्रभरि रहेको दशवटा जति पूलहरू पूर्ण रूपले भत्किएको थियो भने त्यही समय एक 70 वर्षीय वृद्धको खोला तर्दा बगाएर मृत्यु भएको थियो। पछिबाट एनआरईजीएले त्यहॉं अस्थायी रूपमा पूलहरू निर्माण गरिदिएको थियो। क्षेत्र नै चिसेनी जग्गा रहेकोले जताततै गएको पैह्रोले दिनोदिन भयानक रूप लिइरहेको छ। विगत धेरैवर्ष अघिदेखि उक्त ठाउँमा गएको पैह्रोले 94 सालदेखि भयानक रूप लिएको अनि आफूहरू हिँड़ने पूल हिँड्ने लायकको अवस्थामा नरहँदा पनि विभागले पहल नगरिदिएको स्थानीय युवा मोर्चाका सचिव छोगेन लेप्चाले बताएका छन्।
तिनले बताएनुसार क्षेत्रमा गएको पैह्रो अनि पूल हेर्न विभागीय अधिकारी अनि पार्टीका शीर्षस्थ नेताहरू आए पनि आफूहरूले आश्वासन वाहेक केही नपाएको गुनासो गरेका छन्। स्थानीय युवा मोर्चाका अध्यक्ष प्रेम तामाङले दिएको जानकारी अनुसार उक्त पूल अनि पैह्रो रोकथामको निम्ति कैयौंपल्ट आफूहरूले सम्बन्धित विभागलाई अवगत गराइसकेको अनि निरीक्षण गर्न आएको भएपनि फण्ड छैन भन्दै आजसम्म कुनै कार्य नगरिदिएको बताएका छन्। कुनै पनि दिन यो पूल भत्कने अवस्थामा छ। अहिले पूलमा मानिसहरू करैले हिँड़ीरहेका छन्, यदि उक्त पूल चॉंड़ै निर्माण नगरिए कुनै पनि दिन ठूलो दुर्घटना हुनसक्ने सम्भावना रहेको छ अनि पूल कुनै पनि दिन पैह्रोले सोहोरेर लगे क्षेत्रवासीले हुनसम्मको दुःख भोग्न पर्नेछ।
तिनले बताएनुसार क्षेत्रमा गएको पैह्रो अनि पूल हेर्न विभागीय अधिकारी अनि पार्टीका शीर्षस्थ नेताहरू आए पनि आफूहरूले आश्वासन वाहेक केही नपाएको गुनासो गरेका छन्। स्थानीय युवा मोर्चाका अध्यक्ष प्रेम तामाङले दिएको जानकारी अनुसार उक्त पूल अनि पैह्रो रोकथामको निम्ति कैयौंपल्ट आफूहरूले सम्बन्धित विभागलाई अवगत गराइसकेको अनि निरीक्षण गर्न आएको भएपनि फण्ड छैन भन्दै आजसम्म कुनै कार्य नगरिदिएको बताएका छन्। कुनै पनि दिन यो पूल भत्कने अवस्थामा छ। अहिले पूलमा मानिसहरू करैले हिँड़ीरहेका छन्, यदि उक्त पूल चॉंड़ै निर्माण नगरिए कुनै पनि दिन ठूलो दुर्घटना हुनसक्ने सम्भावना रहेको छ अनि पूल कुनै पनि दिन पैह्रोले सोहोरेर लगे क्षेत्रवासीले हुनसम्मको दुःख भोग्न पर्नेछ।
गोरानिमो गोर्खाल्याण्डकै निम्ति आन्दोलनरत् रहने
जीटीएले गोर्खाहरूको राष्ट्रिय चिन्हारी पूर्ण गर्न सक्दैनःपाखरिन
मनोज वोगटी, कालिमन्युज, कालेबुङ,20 जुलाई। 18 जुलाईको दिन पहाड़को समस्या विषय लिएर मोर्चा राज्य अनि केन्द्र सरकार माझ जीटीएमा सम्झौता भएपछि मोर्चाले जीटीएबारे जनतालाई अवगत गराउने कार्य शुरू गरेको छ भने अर्कोतिर पहाड़का अन्य दलहरूले भने जीटीएको विरोध जनाउँदै जीटीएले गोर्खाहरूको चिन्हारीको समस्या समाधान नगर्ने बताइरहेको छ। आज गोरानिमो अध्यक्ष दावा पाख्रिनले मोर्चाले सम्झौता गरेको जीटीएमाथि असन्तुष्टि जाहेर गरेका छन्। आन्दोलन चिन्हारीको निम्ति रहेको अनि चिन्हारीको समस्या गोर्खाल्याण्डले मात्र पूर्ण हुने बताए। चिन्हारीकै निम्ति पहाड़वासीले दागोपाप रद्द गरेको बताउँदै जति क्षमता र विभाग दिएपनि जीटीए बङ्गालभित्रनै रहने औ गोरानिमोले अब गोर्खाल्यण्डको आन्दोलनलाई नै अघि बढ़ाउने बताएका छन्। आफूले गोर्खाहरूको चिन्हारीकै निम्ति गोरामुमो त्यागेको जनाउँदै भने, हामीले भारतको संविधान अनुसार गोर्खाल्याण्ड मागेका हौं। 86 मा बाह्र सय शहीद भए, गोजमुमोले गरेको आन्दोलनमा 5-6 जनाले ज्यान गुमाउन पर्यो। ती शहीदहरूले जीटीए र दागोपापको निम्ति ज्यान दिएका होइनन्।
जीटीएले गोर्खाहरूको राष्ट्रिय चिन्हारी पूर्ण गर्न सक्दैनःपाखरिन
मनोज वोगटी, कालिमन्युज, कालेबुङ,20 जुलाई। 18 जुलाईको दिन पहाड़को समस्या विषय लिएर मोर्चा राज्य अनि केन्द्र सरकार माझ जीटीएमा सम्झौता भएपछि मोर्चाले जीटीएबारे जनतालाई अवगत गराउने कार्य शुरू गरेको छ भने अर्कोतिर पहाड़का अन्य दलहरूले भने जीटीएको विरोध जनाउँदै जीटीएले गोर्खाहरूको चिन्हारीको समस्या समाधान नगर्ने बताइरहेको छ। आज गोरानिमो अध्यक्ष दावा पाख्रिनले मोर्चाले सम्झौता गरेको जीटीएमाथि असन्तुष्टि जाहेर गरेका छन्। आन्दोलन चिन्हारीको निम्ति रहेको अनि चिन्हारीको समस्या गोर्खाल्याण्डले मात्र पूर्ण हुने बताए। चिन्हारीकै निम्ति पहाड़वासीले दागोपाप रद्द गरेको बताउँदै जति क्षमता र विभाग दिएपनि जीटीए बङ्गालभित्रनै रहने औ गोरानिमोले अब गोर्खाल्यण्डको आन्दोलनलाई नै अघि बढ़ाउने बताएका छन्। आफूले गोर्खाहरूको चिन्हारीकै निम्ति गोरामुमो त्यागेको जनाउँदै भने, हामीले भारतको संविधान अनुसार गोर्खाल्याण्ड मागेका हौं। 86 मा बाह्र सय शहीद भए, गोजमुमोले गरेको आन्दोलनमा 5-6 जनाले ज्यान गुमाउन पर्यो। ती शहीदहरूले जीटीए र दागोपापको निम्ति ज्यान दिएका होइनन्।
तेलेङ्गनाले आफ्नो आन्दोलन जारी राखेको छ भने गोर्खाहरूलाई मात्र हतार किन? उनले प्रश्न गरे। सम्झौता भएको दिन बङ्गालका मुख्य मन्त्री ममता ब्यानर्जीले बङ्गाल टुक्रा हुँदैन भन्दा पहाड़वासीले थपड़ी बजाएको कुरा बढ़ो दुःख लाग्दो रहेको बताउँदै पाखरिनले भने, यसरी मानिसहरूले थपड़ी बजाउनु जीटीए पहाड़वासीको निम्ति सन्तुष्ट रहेको प्रमाण दिनु हो। सरकारले त्यस दिन पहाड़वासीको मन बुझेर गएको छ। गोर्खाहरूको निम्ति यो ठूलो घात हो। गोरानिमोले अब गोर्खाल्याण्डको आन्दोलनलाई अघि बढ़ाउने आज घोषणा गरेको छ भने अगस्त महीनाको पहिलो हप्तामा दिल्लीमा धर्ना दिने भएको छ।
यसरी महाराष्ट्र अनि अन्य ठाउँमा पनि गोरानिमोले सेमिनार गर्ने भएको जनाउँदै उनले भने आन्दोलनबाट थाक्नेहरू जीटीएमा बस्दा हुन्छ। गोर्खाल्याण्ड आन्दोलन गर्नेहरूलाई हामी स्वागत जनाउँछौं। जीटीएमाथि विपक्ष खेमाबाट विरोधको निकै बयानबाजी भएको भए पनि आजसम्म कुनै दलले खुलेर विरोध भने गरेको छैन। यसै विषयमाथि प्रश्न गर्दा उनले आफ्नो बलबुँता अनुसार विरोध जनाउने अनि उनले आन्दोलनलाई मार्ग निर्देश गर्ने कार्य गरिरहेको बताउँदै भने, हामीले विधानसभा चुनाउमा मौन बसेर सघाएका थियौं तर काम बिराएको ठाउँमा हामी अवश्यै औंल्याउँछौं। मोर्चाले दाबी गरेको अन्तर्भुक्तिमाथि जान्न चाहँदा उनले मोर्चाले सम्झौता गरेको खेस्रा अनुरूप डुवर्सको दुइचारवटा गाउँ मात्र गाभ्न सक्ने औ छैंटौं अनुसूचिमा गाभिएका क्षेत्रहरू कालीझोड़ा, सेभोक, निरपानी, नक्सलबारी आदि क्षेत्रहरू मात्र पस्न सक्ने सम्भावना रहेको बताएका छन्। मोर्चाले दाबी गरेको डुवर्स क्षेत्र भने जीटीएमा गाभ्न नसक्ने पनि उनले बताएका छन्।
एसयुको मामिला उपकूलपति, राज्य सरकार अनि विद्यार्थी बीच डिवेट हुने -पहिला मुख्यमंत्री, मन्त्री, विधायक र अधिकारीहरूले आफ्ना नानीहरू क्योङ्सा कलेजमा पडाउनु पर्छः एनएसयुआई
यसरी महाराष्ट्र अनि अन्य ठाउँमा पनि गोरानिमोले सेमिनार गर्ने भएको जनाउँदै उनले भने आन्दोलनबाट थाक्नेहरू जीटीएमा बस्दा हुन्छ। गोर्खाल्याण्ड आन्दोलन गर्नेहरूलाई हामी स्वागत जनाउँछौं। जीटीएमाथि विपक्ष खेमाबाट विरोधको निकै बयानबाजी भएको भए पनि आजसम्म कुनै दलले खुलेर विरोध भने गरेको छैन। यसै विषयमाथि प्रश्न गर्दा उनले आफ्नो बलबुँता अनुसार विरोध जनाउने अनि उनले आन्दोलनलाई मार्ग निर्देश गर्ने कार्य गरिरहेको बताउँदै भने, हामीले विधानसभा चुनाउमा मौन बसेर सघाएका थियौं तर काम बिराएको ठाउँमा हामी अवश्यै औंल्याउँछौं। मोर्चाले दाबी गरेको अन्तर्भुक्तिमाथि जान्न चाहँदा उनले मोर्चाले सम्झौता गरेको खेस्रा अनुरूप डुवर्सको दुइचारवटा गाउँ मात्र गाभ्न सक्ने औ छैंटौं अनुसूचिमा गाभिएका क्षेत्रहरू कालीझोड़ा, सेभोक, निरपानी, नक्सलबारी आदि क्षेत्रहरू मात्र पस्न सक्ने सम्भावना रहेको बताएका छन्। मोर्चाले दाबी गरेको डुवर्स क्षेत्र भने जीटीएमा गाभ्न नसक्ने पनि उनले बताएका छन्।
एसयुको मामिला उपकूलपति, राज्य सरकार अनि विद्यार्थी बीच डिवेट हुने -पहिला मुख्यमंत्री, मन्त्री, विधायक र अधिकारीहरूले आफ्ना नानीहरू क्योङ्सा कलेजमा पडाउनु पर्छः एनएसयुआई
प्रविण खालिंग, कालिमन्युज, गान्तोक,20 जुलाई। सिक्किम केंन्द्रिय विश्विविद्यालय (एसयु)-लाई जमिन निदिएको मामिलाले अझ गम्भीर रूप धारण गर्न थालेको छ भने विद्यार्थीहरूका संगठन खुल्लारूपमा अघि आएर राज्य सरकारको नीतिको विरोध गरिरहेका छन्। यसैक्रममा बुधबार नेशनल स्टुडेन्ट युनियन अफ् इण्डिया (एनएसयुआई) का सिक्किम राज्य अध्यक्ष विनोद छेत्री अनि राष्ट्रिय प्रतिनिधि देवीलाल छेत्रीले यहां पत्रकार सम्मेलन आयोजन गरेर राज्य सरकारको नीतिहरूको पोष्टमर्टम गरे।
अध्यक्ष छेत्रीले भने, क्योंगसा कलेजलाई किन एफिलिएशन दिइएन यसको कारण के हो भन्ने बारे राज्य सरकारले अहिलेसम्म कुनै बयान जारी गरेको छैन् अनि विद्यार्थीहरूलाई झुटो वयान दिएर भ्रममा पार्ने कार्य गरिरहेका छन्। उनले भने, क्योङसा कलेडमा गरीबको नानीहरू पड्ने गर्छन् यसकारण सरकारले गरीबको भाग्यसित खेलॉंची गरेका हुन्, किन भने, यहॉं विनायक मिशन विश्वविद्यालयको एफिलिएशऩ गराएर गरीबको नानीहरूको भविष्य डवाडोल पारे पछि हाम्रो विदेश र दिल्ली मुम्बईमा पडेर आएका छोराछोरीले मात्र सबै नोकरी चाकरी मा मौका पाउँछन् भन्ने स्वार्थले यसो गरिन्दैछ, तिनले भने। तिनले राज्य सरकारका प्रतिनिधिहरूलाई चुनौती दिँदै भने, यदी सॉंच्चै राज्य सरकार शिक्षा प्रति इमान्दार छन् भने मुख्यमन्त्री, मन्त्री, विधायक र ठूल-ठूला अधिकारीहरूले आफ्नो छोरा छोरी क्योङसा स्कूलमा एकैजना भए पनि पडाएर देखाए हामी सरकारको नीतिलाई समर्थन गर्छौं। तर पडाउन सक्दैन किन भने त्यहॉंको शिक्षाको स्तर थाहा छ त्यो गरीबको निम्ति मात्र राखिएको हो, तिनले भने।
उनले एसयुलाई जमिन नदिनेमा सबैभन्दा दोषी सिक्किम सरकार रहको तथा सबै उत्तरदायी सिक्किम सरकार नै रहेको दावी गर्दै भने, युजिसी र संसदको कानुमा कुनै पनि केंन्द्रिय विश्वविद्यालय स्थापित हुँदा राज्य सरकारले निःशुल्क जमिन उपलब्ध गराउऩु पर्ने प्रावधान छ तर यहॉं सिक्किममा सरमको कुरो राज्य सरकारले क्षतिपूर्ती भनेर 15 करोड रूपियॉं लिएर पनि जमीन दिन मानेको छैन्।
तिनले खुलासा गर्दै भने, अप्रेल 2008 मा 7.5 करोड अनि अप्रेल 2009 मा 7.5 करोड रूपियॉं राज्य सरकारले एसयुबाट लिएको छ। यदी जमीन दिन सक्दैन भने जनता र विद्यार्थीको सामु राज्य सरकारले घोषणा गर्नु पऱ्यो अनि सुद समते लगेको रकम फिर्ता गर्नु पऱ्यो, तिनले माग राखे। तिनले भने, राज्य सरकारले ड्रग्स कम्पनी , विजुली कम्पनी र निजी विश्वविद्यालयहरूलाई जमिन दिन सक्छ भने सिक्किमे विद्यार्थीको भविष्य निर्माणको निम्ति एसयुलाई पैसा लिएर पनि जमिन दिन किन चाहँदैन राज्य सरकार,के अरूले के दियो र सरकारले पनि त्यस्तै कुरो को आशा एसयुबाट पनि राखेको छ त्यो विद्यार्थीहरूलाई स्पष्ट पारिदिनु पऱ्यो ।
तिनले राज्य सरकारको पक्षबाट पॉंच पल्ट एसयुलाई जमीन सम्बन्धमा पत्रचार गरिसकेको जसमा प्रत्येकपल्ट चॉंडो जमिन लिने अनुरोध गरिएको तथा अन्तिम पल्ट 26 जून 2010 को दिन राज्य सरकारले उपकूलपतिलाई एसडीएमसित प्रस्तावित याङयाङमा गएर जमिनको सॉंध सिमाना हेर्ने आमन्त्रीत गरेर गएको कुरोलाई समेत अहिले उपकूलपतिले त्यसबेला गाउँलेहरूलाई धम्कि दिएको आरोप लगाउँदै राजनीति गरिरहेको बताउँदै भने, सरकार आफ़ै बोलाएर लगे पछि किन आरोप लगाउने काम हुँदैछ, यसरी सिक्किमे विद्यार्थीको भ़िवष्यसित खेलॉंइची गर्ने सरकार विद्यार्थी विरोधी सरकार हो, तिनले गम्भीर आरोप लगाए।
यसैगरि पटक पटक सत्तारूढ दल अनि अन्य संघ संस्थाहरूले सिक्किम विश्वविद्यालयमा स्थानीय विद्यार्थीहरूलाई मौका नदिएको कुरा उठान गरिरहेको मामिलालाई पनि गतिलो प्रहार गर्दै तिनले भने, यो सत्रमा एसयुको स्नातकोत्तर तहमा कूल 229 जना विद्यार्थीहरूले भर्ना पाएका छन् त्यसमा 92 जना सिक्किमका विद्यार्थी छन् , त्यसरी आरोपै मात्र लगाएर हुँदैन विद्यार्थीहरूको भविष्यको निम्ति काम पनि गर्नु पर्छ।
यसैगरि स्थानीयहरूलाई फेकल्टीमा नराखेको आरोपको पनि खण्डन गर्दै भने, सिक्किमको सबै स्थानीय दैनिक समाचार पत्र अनि क्याबल टेलिभिजनमा समेत विज्ञापन दिएर एसयुमा पद खाली रहेको बताइएको हो तर सिक्किमेहरूमध्ये तीनजनाले मात्र आवेदन गरे जो अहिले नोकरी गरिरहेका छन्, विश्वविद्यालय चलाउन बन्द गर्नु भन्दा गुणस्तरको फेकल्टी बाहिरबाट ल्याउँदा के हानी भयो,तिनले प्रश्न गरे।
अर्कोतिर सिक्किम विश्वविद्यालय भ्रष्ट्राचार मुक्त विश्वविद्यालय भएको प्रमाण संसद र राष्ट्रपतिलाई समेत बुझाइएको वार्षिक प्रतिवेदनले पुष्टि गरेको बताउँदै राज्य सरकार पनि भ्रष्ट्राचार र कमिशन मुक्त सरकार रहेको पुष्टि गर्नु पर्छ अऩि यस्तै प्रतिवेदन शिक्षाको क्षेत्रमा छापेर देखाउन सक्नु पर्छ तिनले भने।
यसैगरि उनले विश्वविद्यालयको उपकूलपतिको विरोध गर्दै तादोङ सरकारी महाविद्यालयमा भाषण गर्नेहरू विरूद्ध प्रार्थमिकी दर्ता गरेर पनि प्रसाशनले कार्वाही नगरेकोमा आश्चर्य प्रकट गर्दै भने, तादोङ कलेजमा भर्ना चलिरहेको समय नाम ठेगान नभएको व्यक्तिहरूले एसयु र उपकूलपतिको विरोधमा विद्यार्थीहरूलाई भाषण छॉंट्छ अनि यति दिन बित्दा पनि पुलिसले कार्वाही किन गरेन त्यसमा पनि विरोध प्रकट गर्दै विद्यार्थीहरूको हितमा कुनै निकायले पनि कार्य नगरेको आरोप लगाए। यसैगरि सत्तारूढ दल एसडीएफका प्रवक्ता भीम दाहाल अनि पीडी राईमाथि खनिन्दै तिनले भने, उपकूलपतिलाई हामीले सिफारिश गरेर ल्याएको भ़न्ने भीम दाहाल र पीडी राईले युजीसीको कानुन बुझ्नु पर्छ कुनै पनि उपकूलपतिलाई नियुक्त गर्न राज्य सरकारको केही हात हुँदैन यदी यस्तो गरेको हो भने सिफारिस गरेको एउटा भए पनि प्रमाण देखाएर विद्यार्थीहरूमाझ सॉंचो साबित गर्नु पर्छ।
तिनले भने, पीडी राई र भिम दाहाल तथा मुख्यमन्त्री स्वयं पनि एक पल्ट कुनै कलेजमा पुगेर विद्यार्थीहरूको समस्याबारे जानकारी लिने प्रयास गरेका छन् के त्यसै आरोप लगाएर मात्र हुँदैन विद्यार्थीहरूलाई समेत झुट को पुलिन्दामा बाध्ने प्रयास गर्नु ठीक होइऩ जुन सिक्किम को भविष्य सित खेलॉंइची हुने छ।
अर्कोतिर तिनले सिक्किम मणिपाल मेडिकलको निम्ति सिक्किमेहरूको निम्ति आरक्षीत कोटाबाट 50 वटा पद हटाएकोमा आपत्ती जनाउँदै भने, हामीले यो कुरा केन्द्र सरकारसमक्ष उठाएका छौं अनि चॉंडै केन्द्रिय मानव संसाधन विकास मन्त्रीसित भेट गरेर हामी यसको विषयमा विसद् चर्चा गर्नेछौं। तर भीम दाहाल र पीडी राईले सिक्किमेको कोटा काटिन्दा किन मुख खोल्दैनन् सिक्किमेको भविष्यसित जोडिएको मुद्दामा किन बोल्दैनन्, तिनले प्रश्न गरे। यसैगरि तिनले अखिल सिक्किम विद्यार्थी संघ (आसा) को मन्तव्यमाथि प्रहार गर्दै भन हामी त्यस्तो झरी च्याउ जस्तो संगठनको मन्तव्यमा भन्ने फुर्सद छैन् तर यदि सॉंच्चै विद्यार्थीको हितमा कार्य गर्ने संगठन हो भने बाहिर आएर विद्यार्थीको निम्ति काम गर्नु पर्छ, विरोध गर्ने नाराको रूपमा मात्र प्रयोग हुनु हुँदैन्, यदी विद्यार्थीको निम्ति नै कार्य गर्ने हो भने हामी स्वागत गर्ने छौं, तिनले भने़।
अर्कोतिर एसयुको मुद्दामा कसको भूल छ अनि कसको सही कुरो छ त्यो विद्यार्थी र आम जनतामा छर्लङ्ग पार्ने दिऩ आएको बताउँदै सिक्किमको सबै कलेजका विद्यार्थीहरूलाई भेला गरेर उपकूलपति अनि सिक्किम सरकारको प्रतिनिधिलाई राखेर तर्क गरिने उनले बताए। यसको निम्ति चॉंडै सिक्किम सरकारलाई निम्तो चडॉंएर प्रतिनिधि पठाउऩे अनुरोध गरिने बताए। यदि यो निम्तो अस्वीकार गरेको खण्डमा राज्य सरकारनै गलत रहेको ठहर हुने बताउँदै विश्वविद्यालय र राज्य सरकारको निम्ति यो तर्क चुनौतीको रूपमा रहेको बताउँदै यसमा दुवै पक्षले आफ्नो सॉंचो तथ्य राखेर यो भ्रमबाट मुक्त पार्नु पर्ने बताए।
Day 28 of CM's tour
Prabin Khaling, KalimNews, Gangtok,20th July: The Chief Minister inaugurated the Packaged Drinking Water Plant at Government Food Preservation factory, Dokey Chisopani on the 28th day of the village to village tour. He also declared for the modernization of the Government Food Preservation Factory. All the things to be done by the government for the modernization of the factory will be done by the government, the Chief Minister said while declaring the modernization of the factory. The Chief Minister while talking about the various initiatives of the government for the labour class said that the labour classes have been looked upon well by the government. Talking about the Chief Minister Rural Housing Scheme the Chief Minister declared that houses under Indira Awas Yogna and GCI sheets will be provided to those not possessing Sikkim Subject/ Certificate of Identification as well.
At Chisopani the Chief Minister was very serious about the damages done to houses above the roadside due to low quality of the work on the roadside. The Chief Minister said that the Chief Secretary have been directed to call the Chief Engineer of GREF and ask him to take action immediately and restore the damage of the public which has been caused due to the negligence on their part. If suitable action is not taken by the GREF in this regard then the government will have no choice but to go to the court in the public interest, he said.
At Singtam Bazar the Chief Minister declared for the construction of Lall Bazar like that of Kanchanjunga Shopping Plaza of Gangtok.
At Majitar the Chief Minister handed over the keys of the ambulance to the BM United Service cooperative society. The NEXGEN Foil Company had donated the ambulance to the people of Majitar. The maintenance and upkeep of the ambulance will be done by Majitar Nagar Panchayat and BM United Service Co-operative Society.
The Chief Minister also reiterated the stand of the government with regard to the employment of the locals in the industrial units. The Chief Minister further repeated that these industrial units and power projects have been brought in the state for the welfare and in the interest of the people of the state. In this regard he again directed the state government administrative machinery to be very strict in this regard to these industrial units and take appropriate action to those units who are not complying with the policy of government of employment to the locals. The right of the locals should in no way be compromised, the Chief Minister said.
The Chief Minister also addressed the public Rangpo Bazar.
Revelry starts a day early- Morcha appeals to all to join hill deal celebrations in Darjeeling
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| A Morcha rally in Darjeeling on Wednesday; (above) women dance at the Mall. Pictures by Suman Tamang |
Vivek Chhetri, TT, Darjeeling, July 20: The celebrations in the hills have started a day earlier than scheduled. From morning itself, women were out on the streets of Darjeeling rejoicing the signing of the agreement to set up the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration.
The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha has planned a celebration at Darjeeling’s famous promenade, the Mall, tomorrow. Sources in the Morcha said the memorandum of agreement signed by the party for the formation of the GTA would be read out before the 10,000 or so people expected at the meeting tomorrow.
The Morcha has called for the closure of all education institutions, government offices, tea gardens and the cinchona plantation to enable workers to take part in the revelry.
Morcha supporters from the Dooars will, however, not join the celebration, which will start with a rally from the Darjeeling railway station. A Morcha leader said celebrations in the Dooars would be held at a later date since it was only a little more than 10 days ago that party chief Bimal Gurung had addressed a public meeting in Jaigaon. The Morcha wants the Gorkha dominated pockets in the Dooars and the Terai to be made part of the GTA, a demand that would be looked into by a nine-member committee set up by the government.
“We had a meeting with the people of Terai at Pintail yesterday. A similar meeting will be held in the Dooars at a later date. In fact, Bimal Gurung had addressed a meeting at Jaigaon on July 7 and had addressed the issue of territory before the Dooars people,” said a party leader.
The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha has planned a celebration at Darjeeling’s famous promenade, the Mall, tomorrow. Sources in the Morcha said the memorandum of agreement signed by the party for the formation of the GTA would be read out before the 10,000 or so people expected at the meeting tomorrow.
The Morcha has called for the closure of all education institutions, government offices, tea gardens and the cinchona plantation to enable workers to take part in the revelry.
Morcha supporters from the Dooars will, however, not join the celebration, which will start with a rally from the Darjeeling railway station. A Morcha leader said celebrations in the Dooars would be held at a later date since it was only a little more than 10 days ago that party chief Bimal Gurung had addressed a public meeting in Jaigaon. The Morcha wants the Gorkha dominated pockets in the Dooars and the Terai to be made part of the GTA, a demand that would be looked into by a nine-member committee set up by the government.
“We had a meeting with the people of Terai at Pintail yesterday. A similar meeting will be held in the Dooars at a later date. In fact, Bimal Gurung had addressed a meeting at Jaigaon on July 7 and had addressed the issue of territory before the Dooars people,” said a party leader.
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| Women celebrate in Darjeeling’s Chowrastha on Wednesday. (Suman Tamang) |
Morcha general secretary Roshan Giri said: “We have asked even the tea gardens and the cinchona plantation to remain shut so that our supporters can attend the event.”
Managements of most gardens said they would keep their estates shut but refused to say whether it would be a paid holiday. In the past, similar holidays had been adjusted with the workers’ day-offs.
Traffic is expected to remain normal tomorrow though congestion cannot be ruled out with Morcha supporters from across the hills coming over to Darjeeling.
Announcements have been made in Darjeeling requesting people to come to the rally dressed in Gorkha attires with traditional musical instruments like the madal. The Morcha is determined to show the hills that everyone is happy with the agreement.
In fact members of the Morcha’s town committee from Darjeeling and Kurseong started their celebrations today itself. Morcha supporters, with yellow gulal on their foreheads, were seen dancing at Chowrastha or the Mall. Sources in the Morcha said besides entertainment programmes like cultural dances, party general secretary Giri would also read out the entire contents of the memorandum of agreement before the public.
With peace having crept into the hills since the Morcha’s win in the Assembly elections, hotels in Darjeeling have been registering a steady enquiry from tourists, who had been bypassing the region for the past three and a half years because of the turmoil. “You may be surprised to know that many hotels have been booked full till October. Getting accommodations in Darjeeling will be extremely difficult after a few weeks,” said an official at the enquiry desk of a hotelRam (left) and Suman.
German soccer tips for two
TT, Gangtok, July 20: Two Gangtok boys flew to Germany today to hone their soccer skills at a 25-day-long camp organised by European football powerhouse Bayern Munich.
Ram Chettri and Suman Rai — both aged 14 — are from economically backward families and members of Boys Club Gangtok, a football academy run by former Sikkim players.
The two were among the six teenaged footballers in the country selected by Bayern Munich during trials held in Calcutta in November last year. Two children each from Shillong and Calcutta were also picked up for the training camp.
“Ram and Suman left Calcutta today to attend the camp. The training was supposed to have been conducted in January earlier this year but was postponed to July. The session will greatly benefit our boys, as they will receive better and modern training. Their morale will be lifted and the name of Sikkim will also be highlighted,” said Basant Gurung, one of the organisers of Boys Club.
The duo are among the 40 children imparted training by Boys Club at Tathangchen ground here everyday.
The children practise under the watchful eyes of the former Sikkim soccer players. The club gives the training free of cost.
Ram is fatherless and his mother does odd jobs to take care of the family. Suman’s father is a mason.
Gurung said the Boys Club trainees were well liked by the Bayern Munich coaches during the Calcutta trials.
“They were well liked by the coaches and who knows, our boys could be kept by the Bayern Munich for further training,” he said.
“We are into the third year of our academy. The selection of the two boys by Bayern Munich is a great achievement in such a short span of time and will motivate us in coming years. Our club has received exposure because of the selection of our boys and we hope our club will shine in future,” said the organiser.
Defamation filed by Bhattacharya
TT, Siliguri: Former minister and CPM leader Asok Bhattacharya on Wednesday filed a defamation suit against North Bengal University vice-chancellor Arunabha Basumajumdar for “maligning his image in the eyes of the common people” at a news conference. On June 18, Basumajumdar had alleged that Bhattacharya and local CPM leaders had hindered all development activities initiated by him in the university since he had refused to toe their line. On Wednesday, Bhattacharya’s lawyer Partha Chowdhury filed a case in the court of the additional chief judicial magistrate Bibhuti Khesang under Section 200 of the CrPC.
Plan to free 52 prisoners with message to rebels
Biswajit Roy, TT, Calcutta, July 20: Mamata Banerjee today said 52 undertrial political prisoners, including two Maoists, would be released, the announcement coming with an appeal to the rebels, whom she addressed as “my comrades”, to shun violence and come to the talks table.
The 52 were picked from a list of 78 recommended by a committee set up by the government to review the cases of political prisoners. No top Maoists figure on the list of prisoners to be released.
“We have largely accepted the committee’s recommendations after speaking to its members. They had suggested the release of 78 political prisoners but we decided to free 52 after weighing legal and other factors,” the chief minister told reporters at Writers’ after a meeting with the chief secretary, home secretary and the director-general of police. “The government has done whatever is possible. Some prisoners can’t be released right now because of the multiple cases against them,” she added.
The prisoners to be released include two Maoists — Chandi Sarkar and Pradip Chatterjee — 43 leaders and supporters of the Greater Cooch Behar People’s Association and seven of the Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO). Sarkar is a state committee member of the CPI (Maoist). Both Maoists are lodged in Nadia’s Krishnagar jail. While the KLO is demanding cessation from India, the Greater Cooch Behar outfit wants separate statehood.
Sources said the committee had recommended for release 18 Maoists, including Himadri Sen Roy alias Somen and Sudip Chogdar alias Kanchan. The rebels had recently suggested their release to facilitate the talks process.
Sources in the government and the Trinamul Congress said Mamata’s decision not to release Maoist top guns came in the wake of reports that a section of rebels and the People’s Committee Against Police Atrocities had “joined hands” with the CPM and were “disrupting” the cheap-rice scheme in Jungle Mahal. “She fears that the release of senior Maoist leaders will escalate violence in Jungle Mahal. She wants a positive gesture from the rebels’ end first,’’ a minister said.
Mamata said the committee would “continue its review and the government would act on future recommendations.
Urging the Maoists to come for talks, Mamata said the government could work with them “for the development of Jungle Mahal despite our ideological differences”. “My comrades who have misunderstood me should shun violence and come for talks. My government views them in a humane and sympathetic way. I know some of them have taken up weapons for ideological reasons and the others on personal grounds.’’
The chief minister underlined what she expected from the Maoists. “We are keeping a watch on the ground realities. We welcome those who want to live a peaceful life and are ready to join our efforts for the development of Jungle Mahal. We will declare a rehabilitation package for those who want to surrender their guns and live a normal life after their release from jail,’’ she said.
Although Mamata refused comment on the north Bengal prisoners who would be released, the sources said the move to free them was aimed at sending a “positive signal” to the Rajbangshi community, which is the KLO’s main support base. “The CPM had got alienated from the Rajbangshis because of police atrocities on the supporters of both the organisations. Mamata has expressed her love for the Rajbanshis and the other communities in north Bengal,” a minister from north Bengal said.
The tripartite agreement to for the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration is a proof of that,” a minister from north Bengal said.
Greater Cooch Behar movement leader Bangshibadan Burman and KLO commander Tom Adhikari are among those who will be released. Burman’s release will help contain the renewed movement for separate statehood started by a breakaway faction of the outfit, the minister said. The release of Adhikary and six other KLO leaders would assure the Rajbanshi community of the new government’s “different attitude to them”, he added.
Civil rights activist Sujata Bhadra, a member of the review panel, welcomed Mamata’s move. “It’s a good beginning. We would have been more happy had our recommendations been accepted entirely.’
Managements of most gardens said they would keep their estates shut but refused to say whether it would be a paid holiday. In the past, similar holidays had been adjusted with the workers’ day-offs.
Traffic is expected to remain normal tomorrow though congestion cannot be ruled out with Morcha supporters from across the hills coming over to Darjeeling.
Announcements have been made in Darjeeling requesting people to come to the rally dressed in Gorkha attires with traditional musical instruments like the madal. The Morcha is determined to show the hills that everyone is happy with the agreement.
In fact members of the Morcha’s town committee from Darjeeling and Kurseong started their celebrations today itself. Morcha supporters, with yellow gulal on their foreheads, were seen dancing at Chowrastha or the Mall. Sources in the Morcha said besides entertainment programmes like cultural dances, party general secretary Giri would also read out the entire contents of the memorandum of agreement before the public.
With peace having crept into the hills since the Morcha’s win in the Assembly elections, hotels in Darjeeling have been registering a steady enquiry from tourists, who had been bypassing the region for the past three and a half years because of the turmoil. “You may be surprised to know that many hotels have been booked full till October. Getting accommodations in Darjeeling will be extremely difficult after a few weeks,” said an official at the enquiry desk of a hotelRam (left) and Suman.
German soccer tips for two
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| Ram (left) and Suman. File picture |
Ram Chettri and Suman Rai — both aged 14 — are from economically backward families and members of Boys Club Gangtok, a football academy run by former Sikkim players.
The two were among the six teenaged footballers in the country selected by Bayern Munich during trials held in Calcutta in November last year. Two children each from Shillong and Calcutta were also picked up for the training camp.
“Ram and Suman left Calcutta today to attend the camp. The training was supposed to have been conducted in January earlier this year but was postponed to July. The session will greatly benefit our boys, as they will receive better and modern training. Their morale will be lifted and the name of Sikkim will also be highlighted,” said Basant Gurung, one of the organisers of Boys Club.
The duo are among the 40 children imparted training by Boys Club at Tathangchen ground here everyday.
The children practise under the watchful eyes of the former Sikkim soccer players. The club gives the training free of cost.
Ram is fatherless and his mother does odd jobs to take care of the family. Suman’s father is a mason.
Gurung said the Boys Club trainees were well liked by the Bayern Munich coaches during the Calcutta trials.
“They were well liked by the coaches and who knows, our boys could be kept by the Bayern Munich for further training,” he said.
“We are into the third year of our academy. The selection of the two boys by Bayern Munich is a great achievement in such a short span of time and will motivate us in coming years. Our club has received exposure because of the selection of our boys and we hope our club will shine in future,” said the organiser.
Defamation filed by Bhattacharya
TT, Siliguri: Former minister and CPM leader Asok Bhattacharya on Wednesday filed a defamation suit against North Bengal University vice-chancellor Arunabha Basumajumdar for “maligning his image in the eyes of the common people” at a news conference. On June 18, Basumajumdar had alleged that Bhattacharya and local CPM leaders had hindered all development activities initiated by him in the university since he had refused to toe their line. On Wednesday, Bhattacharya’s lawyer Partha Chowdhury filed a case in the court of the additional chief judicial magistrate Bibhuti Khesang under Section 200 of the CrPC.
Plan to free 52 prisoners with message to rebels
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| Tom Adhikari (top) and Bangshibadan Burman |
The 52 were picked from a list of 78 recommended by a committee set up by the government to review the cases of political prisoners. No top Maoists figure on the list of prisoners to be released.
“We have largely accepted the committee’s recommendations after speaking to its members. They had suggested the release of 78 political prisoners but we decided to free 52 after weighing legal and other factors,” the chief minister told reporters at Writers’ after a meeting with the chief secretary, home secretary and the director-general of police. “The government has done whatever is possible. Some prisoners can’t be released right now because of the multiple cases against them,” she added.
The prisoners to be released include two Maoists — Chandi Sarkar and Pradip Chatterjee — 43 leaders and supporters of the Greater Cooch Behar People’s Association and seven of the Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO). Sarkar is a state committee member of the CPI (Maoist). Both Maoists are lodged in Nadia’s Krishnagar jail. While the KLO is demanding cessation from India, the Greater Cooch Behar outfit wants separate statehood.
Sources said the committee had recommended for release 18 Maoists, including Himadri Sen Roy alias Somen and Sudip Chogdar alias Kanchan. The rebels had recently suggested their release to facilitate the talks process.
Sources in the government and the Trinamul Congress said Mamata’s decision not to release Maoist top guns came in the wake of reports that a section of rebels and the People’s Committee Against Police Atrocities had “joined hands” with the CPM and were “disrupting” the cheap-rice scheme in Jungle Mahal. “She fears that the release of senior Maoist leaders will escalate violence in Jungle Mahal. She wants a positive gesture from the rebels’ end first,’’ a minister said.
Mamata said the committee would “continue its review and the government would act on future recommendations.
Urging the Maoists to come for talks, Mamata said the government could work with them “for the development of Jungle Mahal despite our ideological differences”. “My comrades who have misunderstood me should shun violence and come for talks. My government views them in a humane and sympathetic way. I know some of them have taken up weapons for ideological reasons and the others on personal grounds.’’
The chief minister underlined what she expected from the Maoists. “We are keeping a watch on the ground realities. We welcome those who want to live a peaceful life and are ready to join our efforts for the development of Jungle Mahal. We will declare a rehabilitation package for those who want to surrender their guns and live a normal life after their release from jail,’’ she said.
Although Mamata refused comment on the north Bengal prisoners who would be released, the sources said the move to free them was aimed at sending a “positive signal” to the Rajbangshi community, which is the KLO’s main support base. “The CPM had got alienated from the Rajbangshis because of police atrocities on the supporters of both the organisations. Mamata has expressed her love for the Rajbanshis and the other communities in north Bengal,” a minister from north Bengal said.
The tripartite agreement to for the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration is a proof of that,” a minister from north Bengal said.
Greater Cooch Behar movement leader Bangshibadan Burman and KLO commander Tom Adhikari are among those who will be released. Burman’s release will help contain the renewed movement for separate statehood started by a breakaway faction of the outfit, the minister said. The release of Adhikary and six other KLO leaders would assure the Rajbanshi community of the new government’s “different attitude to them”, he added.
Civil rights activist Sujata Bhadra, a member of the review panel, welcomed Mamata’s move. “It’s a good beginning. We would have been more happy had our recommendations been accepted entirely.’
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