Anti-GTA forum to continue strike

The meeting of Terai Dooars Joint Action Committee,a forum for 19 organizations,with ministers Partha Chatterjee and Gautam Deb is scheduled tomorrow.

Prior to the meeting with the ministers,the joint action committee today conducted a rally and a public meeting in Malbaazar in Jalpaiguri district. Birsha Tirkey,president of Adivasi Viaksh Parishad said,“We have decided unanimously that we will not leave the path of movement if we are not given a written assurance that the areas of Terai and the Dooars will not be included in the GTA.”

Rajesh Lakra,a tribal outfit leader and a member of the joint action committee,said,“We are holding rallies and meeting everyday in the Malbazar and Nagrakata areas. The entire tribal population is with us. The GJM and the GJM- backed outfits in the area have also realized our strength and what the adivasis want. They have,therefore,dropped the idea of holding any meeting and any programme in the region. We will intensify our movement in the area.”

Significantly,the ministers will also hold a meeting with the GJM-backed tribal outfit of Terai and Dooars led by Jhon Barla,the expelled leader of the Adivasi Vikash Parishad. However,no senior leader of GJM will remain present in the meeting. GJM MLA and central committee member Harka Bahadur Chhetri said,“We will not be present in the meeting. The units of Terai and Dooars region will speak with the ministers. We do not want to interfere in the issues.” “Moreover,our president has dropped the plans of holding rallies and meetings in the Terai and Dooars region as the atmosphere is not conducive. We are waiting for the high-powered committee to table its report on the territory of GTA,” added Chhetri.