KHANAPRA, SEPTEMBER 10: Gorkhafa Harka Bahadur Chetry, Chairman of Gorkha Autonomous Council Demand Committee (GACDC) speaking at ‘RaithaneyGorkha Bhela’ reteirated the demand that Gorkhas should be recognized as Indigenous community of Assam in the NRC Upgradation process like other communities of Assam without any discrimination and further added that Assam Accord cut-off date 24th March 1971 midnight cannot be applicable to Gorkhas as they are ‘Sons of the Soil’ and indigenous of the state.
“Gorkhas have been part of the Assam Agitation to drive out illegal Bangladeshis and foreigners and laid down lives as one of the agitating communities.”
Chetry questioned the Government of Assam, “How can a constituent community of Assam Agitation be charged with the paragraphs of the accord meant for illegal foreigners to be more specific Bangladeshis. It is hence not acceptable therefore Gorkhas should be recognized as indigenous community by Government of Assam.” He made it loud and clear that the democratic, peaceful, nonviolent movement is not for mere demanding OI status in NRC and the Gorkhas are in favour of no single illegal migrants or foreigners name should be included in NRC and it should be upgraded constitutionally.”
More than 15,000 Gorkhas assembled at the Raithaney Gorkha Bhela organized by Gorkha Autonomous Council Demand Committee (GACDC) with support from indigenous Gorkhas of Assam supported by 10 Gorkha Ethnic Organizations namely Tamang, Limboo, Khambu Rai, Yakha Dewan, Khas, Bhujel, Thakuri, Mangar, Gurung and Newar and a number of Non-Government Organisations (NGOs).
People supported the movement spontaneously and made it a people’s movement despite of obstructions from various quarters of the society. Amid hot and humid weather the people thronged Khanapara for the Raithaney Gorkha Bhela.
On completion of 650km Marathon March – the foot long march rally that started from Murkong Selek at Jonai in Dhemaji District to Assam Secretariat, Dispur, Guwahati Assam from 19th July 2016 to 5th Aug 2016, the Government of Assam represented by its senior cabinet minister and president of Asom Gana Parishad- the regional political party of Assam born out of Assam agitation now an ally of BJP led Government of Assam had promised to hold talks with Chief minister of Assam. Sarbanada Sonowal and his cabinet with on Aug 20 which failed miserably. A press conference was organized on Aug 29 at Guwahati Press Club to press the Government for talks but it again failed and GACDC declared the Raithaney Gorkha Bhela meaning Indigenous Gorkha Conclave at Khanapara, Guwahati Assam.
Today at the Raithaney Gorkha Bhela – GACDC Chairman threatened to ‘Fast Unto Death’ from Oct 18 if the demands are not met which are as follows tripartiate talks between GACDC, Assam Government and Government of India for indigenous status of Gorkhas in Assam and no discrimination in up-gradation of NRC process.
