Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma has said that there should be a separate state for the Gorkha community (Gorkhaland).
In a recent letter to Union home minister Amit Shah, Sangma told the Centre that “the Gorkhas too are rightful Indian citizens who deserve to have their own identity and Bas Bhoomi (homeland)”.
“Sir, as stated, the Gorkhas have contributed immensely to the fabric of Indian society and as with other citizens of India, the Gorkhas too are rightful Indian citizens who deserve to have their own identity and Bas Bhoomi,” Sangma said in the letter, addressing Shah.
He also highlighted the contributions of Gorkha freedom fighter Durga Malla, members of constituent assembly Damber Singh and Ari Bahadur Gurung and Captain Ram Singh Thakuria.
Sangma has requested the Centre to “offer an honourable and lasting political solution” to the Gorkhas.
Interestingly, Sangma’s letter was made public when the monsoon session of Parliament was in progress and there were growing demands by NDA allies in Darjeeling for finding a “permanent political solution”.