In an absurd decision Morcha president Bimal Gurung wants the number plates of vehicles in the hill sub divisions to be changed. He has said that all vehicles belonging to the hill sub divisions, Siliguri and the Dooars should have new number plates with the pre fix GL (denoting Gorkhaland) from July 7 onwards. Local media reports said that the Morcha wants vehicles from Darjeeling should have GL-A, while B, C, D and E will be used by those vehicles belonging to Kalimpong, Kurseong, Siliguri and the Dooars respectively.

 

How and why this hair brained scheme crossed the mind of the Morcha leaders is hard to say. Especially because they have not stopped to think how this is possible in a district within a state. While the state administration is yet to react to this outrageous suggestion residents in the hills are worried about the fallout of the Morcha leaders' plans. First and foremost motor vehicles rules will not support such a change and the number plates would be considered fakes by the police, apart from the fact that insurance companies will not reimburse claims in such a situation.

 

So far the Morcha has been going about its demands in a largely democratic manner. But this sudden change of tracks should worry the state administration. A confrontation with the district administration also seems to be becoming imminent. The state's chief secretary had made it clear that no rallies would be allowed in the foothills in Siliguri, given the volatile situation there. The Morcha seems bent on defying that and wants to hold rallies there between April 28 and 30. It has, however, canceled its plans to hold a public meeting in Baghajatin in Siliguri on April 27 and instead will hold parleys with the West Bengal Home Secretary Ashok Mohan Chakrabarti on Sunday. The Morcha would seek permission to hold rallies in Siliguri but the state administration is unlikely to allow it.

 

Meanwhile, all government offices in the hills which have been shut down for almost 15 days will be allowed to remain open from April 28 to May 5. This has been allowed to clear pending work of important in nature and to allow government employees get their salaries, Morcha leaders told the media.