The Hindu : National : Ghising back in Darjeeling

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Monday, Mar 17, 2008
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Ghising back in Darjeeling

Special Correspondent

KOLKATA: Subash Ghising on Sunday returned to Darjeeling even as his opponents were making merry on the banks of the Balason at Dudhia in the Kurseong subdivision over his recent resignation as administrator of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC).

Shorn of the fanfare of earlier times, his homecoming came 26 days after he was prevented by supporters of his rival Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) from entering the hill town. At that time, they had put up blocks on all roads leading to Darjeeling. The GJM leaders had vowed to prevent him, until he resigned as DGHC administrator, from returning to the hill.

But, this time there were no obstructions to Mr. Ghising’s convoy on its way up to the hills, a district official said. Once it reached the town it made its way straight to his residence.

“Interaction” picnics

Over the past few days, there have been celebrations in the hill by GJM workers. There have been picnics, to which thousands of GJM supporters were invited, on the banks of rivers in both the Darjeeling and Kalimpong subdivisions. The one near Kurseong on Sunday was part of the celebrations. These community picnics facilitate “interaction” with the local people, says the GJM leadership.

“Illegal transactions”

Mr. Ghising’s return to Darjeeling comes amid reports of a large number of files having been recovered by GJM supporters from DGHC employees. The files had allegedly been smuggled out of Lalkuthi, the DGHC headquarters, a day after his resignation. GJM leaders alleged that the files contained documents on illegal transactions during Mr Ghising’s tenure in the hill council.

The district administration is preparing an inventory of the recovered files and has assured an inquiry.

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