Influx from Nepal is being considered as a major cause behind Darjeeling unrest

SILIGURI: After 104 days long marathon bandh, finally tourism hotspot Darjeeling has come back to its apparent normal pace. But the political undercurrent of separate statehood demand remained at its own height. Heavy influx from Nepal into Darjeeling using Indo-Nepal Peace and Friendship Treaty is now being considered as the root cause of the crisis at different levels including sections of Government arena.

“Separate statehood demand for Darjeeling is a demand for self governance of Indian Nepali speaking community. But how many of the movement activists are bona-fide Indian citizens?” asked Dr. D. P. Kar, President of a major social activists group Janachetana that had brought the matter into Kolkata High court’s cognizance in 2013.

According to Dr. Kar, under article VI and VII of Indo-Nepal treaty 1950, Gorkhas of Nepal enjoy certain civic rights in India but, not Citizenship. The Extra Ordinary Gazette notification of GOI Part 1, Section-1, Date 23rd August 1988, No. 26011/6/88-IC.I clarifies that Gorkhas, either born or resident of India for 5 years before 26.01.1950 (Commencement of Indian Constitution) only, shall be considered as citizens of India.

India maintains its 1751 km long non fenced border with Nepal which citizens of either countries do not need passport-visa to cross. But, at ground level, neither citizenship proof of anyone entering into India is checked nor any database of that is maintained. “That is helping heavy influx,” said Dr. Kar. “This open border is highly porous,” accepted even the top brasses of Sashastra Seema Bal(SSB), the border guarding force.

As outcome, “Darjeeling district had nearly 875% growth of Nepali speaking people between 1951 to 2001 against 284% Indian national average population growth during this period. This had also given an unnatural growth of near 9.5 lakh voters in Darjeeling parliamentary constituency area during 1957-99,” said Dr. Kar.