Gorkhaland beyond our jurisdiction: Didi

An hour-long meeting between three parties of Darjeeling that are demanding a separate state of Gorkhaland and chief minister Mamata Banerjee failed to decide on a date for withdrawing the indefinite shutdown, which has been continuing since June 15.

Though the parties raised their demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland, the chief minister said the state government made it clear that it was beyond their jurisdiction. “They raised the demand for the separate state of Gorkhaland. Everyone has the democratic right to place a demand. But we made it clear that it was beyond our jurisdiction,” remarked Banerjee.

“Gorkhaland is their issue, and also their sentiment. But we also have our compulsions,” the CM said.

“Gorkhaland is our century old issue that we have raised. The state government has given its views. Now we will go back, discuss and decide the future course of action,” said Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) coordinator Binay Tamang.

In short, it indicates the agitators can’t have much hope for Gorkhaland. On August 13, Union home minister Rajnath Singh told the agitators in Delhi that they should approach the Bengal chief minister for talks. The message was clear: the Centre was not interested in carving out a separate state.

Tamang also said the issue of lifting the bandh will be a part of the matters to be discussed among the hill parties.

Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, Gorkha National Liberation Front and Jan Andolan Party representatives were present at the meeting. The chief secretary, home secretary and ministers Partha Chatterjee, Aroop Biswas and Indranil Sen were also in attendance. “The meeting was positive and atmosphere was cordial. The dialogue for restoring normalcy has begun. Next meeting will be held in Uttarkanya on September 12,” the CM said.

A 27-year-old woman in Jharkhand has alleged that she was divorced through instant triple talaq last week, a day after the controversial practice was banned by the Supreme Court.

Fatma Suraiya, a resident of Hazaribagh, alleged that her husband Faiqi Alam suddenly divorced her last Wednesday after spending an uneventful morning with the family, eating breakfast. “Out of the blue, he uttered talaq, talaq, talaq and forced me and my daughter out of the house,” Fatma said.

The alleged instant divorce came a day after the top court held that the practice violated women’s right to equality and was against the tenets of Islam.

After the instant divorce was pronounced, Fatma approached a group of local clerics but was told that any decision was possible only after 20 days.

On Saturday, she lodged a police complaint against her husband and four in-laws, accusing them of issuing instant triple talaq and demanding dowry of ₹10 lakh.

Officer in charge of Barkagaon police station, Akil Ahmad, said that Faiqi was absconding and his parents were willing to settle the matter out of court. “The man’s family now fears legal actions and is requesting to settle the matter outside court. But the woman and her family refused to compromise,” Ahmad said.

Hazaribagh SP Anup Birtharey said no arrests were made in connection with the case but a charge sheet was filed.