RANCHI: The
Gorkha
community in the state capital on Wednesday extended its support to the ongoing movement in Darjeeling in West Bengal, for the creation of a separate
Gorkhaland state.
Despite being denied permission to hold a candle march by the state government, more than 800 Gorkha men, women and children gathered at Gorkha Chowk and lit candles at the base of the Gorkha memorial as mark of solidarity for the victims killed in the police firing in the hilly region on Sunday. Several Gorkhas joined the peaceful protest by displaying pro-Gorkhaland banners.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Mahesh Gurung, Sunil Rai and Bimal Sashankar. We are also trying to send a message that we stand united for a separate Gorkhaland,"
Jharkhand
Gorkha Sangathan member Sandeep Chetri said.
"We demand the creation of Gorkhaland to preserve our identity, culture, tradition and history," Prashant Gurung, who participated in the protest, said.
Gurung added, "Several Gorkha families here have their roots in Darjeeling. Many of them usually return to the hills and settle there after retirement."
However, several community members pressed for a peaceful protest in Darjeeling for the fulfilment of their demands.
Ranchi has been a home to the Gorkha community for more than a century. A large number of men from this community are a part of the first batallion of
Jharkhand Armed Police
(JAP). Gorkhas here had also extended their support and assistance to their counterparts in Nepal after a disastrous earthquake struck the region in 2015.