GNLF women’s wing slams GJMM ward commissioner for display of bias

Members of GNWO protesting in front of Darjeeling Municipality (pic by Darpan)

Darjeeling, 27 August: The women’s wing of the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) and the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM) headed Darjeeling Municipality have locked horns this time on the issue related to residential certificate. Some residents from Darjeeling Municipality ward number 11 had approached the municipality commissioner of the same ward, Tilak Chhetri for his ascent to the certificate.

They have alleged Mr Chhetri denied to issue residential certificates to a section of his ward residents on the basis that they are the supporters of the Opposition party (GNLF).

They have lodged a complaint at the Darjeeling police station against Mr Chhetri.

The five members of the ward affiliated to the women’s wing of GNLF have lodged the complaint against Mr Chhetri.

One of the complaint, Sangeeta Thami said: “We approached Tilak Chhetri since it is necessary to get recommendation from him to get a residential certificate. But when we approached his office for his ascent for the certificate he misbehaved and also threatened us.”

According to Miss Thami, Mr Chhetri refused to give his recommendation because they were the supporters of the GNLF.

The matter was further raised by the president of the party’s women’s wing of Darjeeling, Manzilla Tamang.

She said: “The party has strongly condemned such actions by the Municipality Commissioner.”

She also demanded action against the civic official.

On the other hand the Mr Tilak Chhetri who is also the president of the youth wing of GJMM of Darjeeling ridiculed the GNLF’s stance to be a pre-planned conspiracy.

“I denied to issue the residential certificate because they were using abusive words and were talking to me in a loud voice. Their allegation is totally made up to demean the reputation of the Darjeeling Municipality,” the commissioner said. Mr Chhetri have also lodged a counter complaint against them at the Darjeeling police station.

The domicile or the residence certificate is required to open a bank account, for passport services, ration card services etc and also for availing government jobs. sns

GNWO cadres lodge police complaint against GJM ward commissioner

Darjeeling, 27 Aug 2014: Members of the women’s wing of the Gorkha National Liberation Front, alleging misbehaviour by a municipality ward commissioner owing allegiance to the Gorkha Janmukti Morch, have lodged a general diary at the sadar police station here demanding immediate action.

Gorkha National Women’s Organisation (GNWO) president Manjila Tamang on Wednesdayaccused ward number 11 commissioner Tilak Chhetri of misbehaving and intimidating some GNWO members who had approached him for his recommendation on their residential certificates.

“On Tuesday, some of our members from ward 11 had gone to the municipality to get a recommendation from Chhetri for their residential certificates. But he refused to comply and instead threatened them with dire consequences. We condemn this discrimination and will not remain quiet until we get justice,” said Tamang.

To get one’s residential certificate, a person has to first to receive the recommendation of the commissioner of the ward he resides in. The ward commissioner identifies the applicant and verifies the person’s credentials before making the recommendation.

Sangeeta Thami, one such applicant from ward 11 who had approached Chhetri said, “Some of us had gone to the municipality to get our ward commissioner’s recommendation. We placed a humble request before him. But the commissioner got angry for no apparent reason and threatened us and asked us to get the recommendation done by our party, which is not part of the municipality board.”

She added, “The municipality is run by the GJM, but its members should not indulge in politics. They should view people who approach them without any political bias as the municipality is the local civic body. We have also recorded Chhetri’s misbehaviour and threats as evidence.”

The ward commissioner, meanwhile, alleged it was the GNWO members who misbehaved with him and used foul language. “There were about 10 to 11 GNWO members who had come to my office Tuesday afternoon seeking recommendation. But I was taken aback by their behaviour. They spoke to me in a rude tone and began abusing me when I protested,” said Chhetri.

He added, “They had a pre-planned intention to create a ruckus and stain my name. In fact, only four of the ladies were from my ward.”

When asked why he refused to recommend the four women, Chhetri said, “I do not differentiate residents of my ward on the basis of their political alliance. I have done a lot of work earlier for GNLF supporters. But yesterday’s incident was totally different and my refusal was the fallout,” he said, adding that he too has lodged a complaint against the GNWO members with the police.

Municipality chairman Amar Singh Rai said he was aware of what had transpired on Tuesday and assured to get to the bottom of the matter.

Police officials at the sadar station confirmed of receiving complaints from both the GNWO and Chhetri and assured of looking into it in detail. (EOIC)

Threat slur on Morcha councillorVIVEK CHHETRI

Darjeeling, Aug. 27: A Gorkha Janmukti Morcha councillor of Darjeeling municipality has been accused of refusing to issue residential certificates to GNLF supporters and misbehaving with them.

However, Tilak Chhetri, the councillor of ward 11, denied the charge and said the GNLF supporters had come to his office yesterday with an intention to create disturbance.

Five female GNLF sympathisers lodged a general diary with Darjeeling Sadar police station yesterday against Chhetri. One of the GNLF supporters, Sangita Thami, said: “Our councillor refused to issue us residential certificates when we went to his office yesterday and asked us to go the GNLF office. He and his boys threatened us and even tried to manhandle us.”

The residential certificate is issued to a person by the councillor of the respective ward and is an important document to prove domicile status.

Chhetri filed a counter general diary at Darjeeling Sadar police station against Sangita and the others yesterday. “More than 10 women had come to me to get residential certificates. But only four or five of them were from my ward. I refused to issue them certificates because their behaviour was provocative. They also used foul language,” said Chhetri.

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