Skip to content Skip to navigation

Gorkhas demand indigenous status

By Nanda Kirati Dewan |

Harka Bahadur Chetry, Chairman of Gorkha Autonomous Council Demand Committee (GACDC) representing approximate 30Lakhs Gorkhalis of the state has undetaken a non-violent democratic peaceful long march which is now called  ‘MARATHON MARCH’  from Mukong Selek, Jonai in Dhemaji district to Dispur, Guwahati approximately 560Kms from 19th July 2016 onwards  in protest against discrimination in proving OI (Original Inhabitant ) status to the Gorkhas of Assam in the National Register of Citizens (NRC)  upgradation process. The route districts wise would be Dhemaji, North Lakhimpur, Biswanath Chariali, Sonitpur, Nagoan, Morigoan, Kamrup Rural, Kamrup Metro and Guwahati. Chetry is expected to cover 30-50 kms every day and reach Guwahati after 1st March 2016 while the Assam Assembly is in progress.

While starting off the rally from Murkong Selek yesterday Gorkhafa of Assam Harka Bahadur Chetry said, ‘Gorkhas of Assam have settled since time immemorial and have extensively contributed to national building process and the freedom struggle movement so denying Original Inhabitant and Indigenous status to Gorkhas in Assam in up-gradation process of NRC is sheer discrimination and attempt to deprive fundamental rights of genuine Indian citizens. The Marathon March which will be peaceful non-violent democratic rally without slogans and blockades from 6am to 6pm every day till reaching Dispur is our way of registering our protest against this conspiracy and saving the fundamentals rights of Gorkhas’.

‘I welcome Civil Society Organizations, Non Government Organizations (NGOs), Mahila Samities, Associations, Unions , Federations,  Students Union, Youth Organizations and  Clubs, Foundations, Trusts, village development committees, Gaon Burahs, people holding public office, youth committees, organizations or any group also individuals  in any domain willing to extend their support and can contact Chief Secretary GACDC Sanjib Chetry and Vice Presidents Keshab Pandey and Raju Chetry who are marching along with me. I thank one and all  who participated today and covered a distance of 32 kilometers from 11.40am to 6.40pm today and expecting more participation from all walks of life’, said Harka bahadur Chetri while interacting with media at 7.30pm at Talem under Jonai subdivision.

Hundreds of Gorkhas waited in the roadside to have a glimpse of Gorkhafa and extend their support. Localities residing near the national highway arranged refreshments and lunch for their respected leader. Women, school children, students joined the marathon march as token support. GACDC office bearers said that  the numbers will rise and support will swell as the program progresses and it is very important that we extend support in all forms to our leader. GACDC has sought support and blessings for Gorkhafa from all quarters of people for peaceful and successful Marathon March.

Photo Caption : Harka Bahadur Chetry, Chairman of Gorkha Autonomous Council Demand Committee (GACDC) representing approximate 30Lakhs Gorkhalis of the state has undertaken a non-violent democratic peaceful long march named ‘MARATHON MARCH’  from Mukong Selek, Jonai in Dhemaji district to Dispur, Guwahati from 19th July 2016 onwards  in protest against discrimination in proving OI (Original Inhabitant ) status to the Gorkhas of Assam in the NRC Upgradation process. The rally has reached Telem in Jonai subdivision of Dhemaji today.
Author info

Nanda Kirati Dewan's picture

Nanda Kumar Dewan is our Senior Journalist covering Community Development & International Relations. He is a Mass Communication & Journalism graduate from Sikkim Manipal University (SMU). He started his journalism career with UB Photos News agency in 2006 as News Photo Caption Editor and Photojournalist. He has been associated with Assam Times since it's inception and today is a part of our editorial team.

Add new comment

Random Stories

Kokrajhar Science College student union polls hel

12 Jan 2016 - 8:27pm | Gwshad Basumatary
The student union polls of Science College, Kokrajhar, a premier institution of Kokrajhar district was held on Monday, for four posts: General Secretary, Assistant General Secretary, Sports Secretary...

Teacher shot dead in training

10 Jul 2014 - 10:54pm | AT News
 In a bizarre incident, an unidentified youth shot dead a school teacher inside a classroom during a teachers' training programme in Karbi Anglong district on Thursday. The incident took place...

Lets unitedly fight against terror and not panic – PM

2 Nov 2008 - 4:34am | Nanda Kirati Dewan
Prime Minister of India Dr. Monmohan Singh while a section of selected media persons at Guwahati Medical College Hospital (GMCH) lobby after visiting the blast site at CJM Court Kachari and injured...

NEHU to nurture start-ups

28 Jul 2022 - 10:14am | AT News Shillong
North-Eastern Hill University has signed a memorandum of understanding with Breakthrough Technology firm CV Laser Pty Ltd. The objective is to initiate start-ups and innovation industries in the...

Other Contents by Author

Gorkhas Celebrate Sansari Puja, Revering Earth as 'Mother' in Golaghat District

Golaghat District, Upper Assam witnessed a vibrant celebration of Sansari Puja, a traditional worship ceremony practiced by the Gorkha community. Sansari Puja, also known as the Worship of Our Own World, is a unique ritual where Gorkhas revere the Earth as 'Mother' and the world as 'Woman.' This sacred ceremony took place on Saturday at Chandanpur village under Merapani Sub-Division Sarupani Gaon Panchayat. The Gorkhas have always been devoted nature worshippers, deeply connected to their surroundings. They hold rivers, mountains, streams, forests, and biodiversity in high regard, considering them as sacred entities. Even in the era of globalization, Gorkhas maintain their love for...

Nation pays tribute INA’s ‘Singing Soldier’ who composed the tune of India’s National Anthem

Padumpathar, Golaghat Assam: The 76th Independence Day was celebrated with spirit of ‘Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav’ throughout the nation as such a small village in Assam’s Golaghat district known for organic revolution in the region Padumpathar alongside hoisting the flag and celebrating Independence day paid rich floral tribute to Indian National Army (INA)’s ‘Singing Soldier’ composer of the tune of India’s National Anthem Jana Gana Mana.  Very few are born to leave an impact to bind a nation to music for eternity; the late Capt. Ram Singh Thakuri was one of those god-gifted ones whom India was fortunate to have in the right era.  When he was born on 15th August...

Assam to have a statewide digital media journalists’ organization by Feb 2023

Guwahati: The newly formed Digital Media Journalists Forum, Assam  held a general meeting at the Guwahati Press Club on Wednesday.  The meeting was chaired by the president of the Convening Committee of the Digital Media Journalists Forum and presently editor of The Cross Current, Bedbrata Bora. Advisor to the Forum and former residence editor at The Telegraph, Pranab Bora spoke about various legal problems faced by digital media journalists. In addition, senior journalists Amal Dutta and Bidhayak Das gave speeches on the importance and role of digital media in the present day. The meeting was attended by journalists from various digital media outlets from eight districts of...

Assam’s pineapple in Dubai

Guwahati: In a major boost towards harnessing the export potential of naturally grown fresh pineapples in the North-Eastern (NE) states, APEDA today organised an in-store export promotion programme in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) to promote Assam’s pineapples, which is considered the sweetest in the world, among consumers for wider acceptance in countries. The ‘in-store promotion show’ of pineapples from Assam, which was organised in association with Dubai’s largest supermarket group Lulu Group, is part of APEDA’s strategy to promote locally produced agricultural products to the international markets. Speaking to The Echo of India, Sunita Rai, Asstt General Manager and Regional...

Record Footfall and Revenue collection in Kaziranga National Park

Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve recorded highest foot fall and revenue collection this season. Post-lockdown rush of both national and native tourists led to the highest annual visitors at the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, which helped the authorities collect record revenue of over Rs. 6 crores. Assam forest department on Wednesday in a statement said that Kaziranga reported footfall of 2.75 lakh tourists during 2021-22, against 1.88 lakh in 2017-18. Jatindra Sharma, director of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve told Assam Times that altogether 2,75,835 tourists visited the UNESCO World Heritage Site Park between October 2021 and May 2022, setting an all-time...

Boomba Ride' to be screened at Cannes Film Festival 'Olympia Screen' on 22nd May.

Golaghat: Acclaimed Assamese movie 'Boomba Ride' that was screened in the Indian Panorama will be screened at Cannes Film Festival 'Olympia Screen' on 22nd May 2022. Producer of the movie Luit Kumar Barman informed this correspondent that an email yesterday evening from the Deputy Director and Directorate of the Indian Film Festival confirmed to Biswajit Bora, director of the movie   that the movie 'Boomba Ride' has been officially selected for screening at the Marchu Du Film and Cannes Film Festival. Producer and Director have expressed satisfaction over selection of their for an screening at Cannes. 'Boomba Ride’ is being  written, edited and directed in 2021 by...

Bodofa’s ‘Live and Let Live’ resonates in Bodo society. – President Kovind

Tamulpur (BTR), Assam: After several years of violence, Bodoland and the Bodo people have accepted the principle of Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma  'Live and Let Live’ to establish peace and progress for prosperity, observed Ram Nath Kovind, President of India at the 61st annual conference of Bodo Sahitya Sabha, Gwnjwng Pathar, Kachubari, Tamulpur, BTR Assam today. President Kovind congratulated the citizens of Tamulpur 35th district of Assam and hoped that it will prosper with community participation in its building and transformation process. He praised Bodo Sahitya Sabha for inviting delegates from Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh connecting Bodo speakers of the world under its...

President Kovind arrives in Guwahati, to attend Bodo Sahitya Sabha

Tamulpur, BTR: President Ram Nath Kovind arrived in Guwahati this afternoon, was recieved by Governor of Assam Prof. Jagdish Mukhi and Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sharma at LGBI Airport. President Kovind will deliver the keynote address at the 61st annual conference of the Bodo Sahitya Sabha (BSS) as the Chief Guest of the Open Session in Tamulpur, western Assam, on Wednesday.  The three-day conference that began on Monday is expected to draw over 5000 delegates from all over the world. Delegates from all districts of Assam have reached conference venues to participate in various sessions. National and international delegates from NE states, Tripura, West Bengal, Bangladesh,...

Peace, Unity, Development top priority and reality in NE region - PM

Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi addressed a ‘Peace, Unity and Development Rally at Longrithep, Diphu in Karbi Anglong Autonomous Teritorial Council (KAATC) on Thursday. During the programme, he was also the foundation stone of various projects. The Prime Minister virtually laid the foundation stone for Veterinary College in Diphhu, Degree College in West Karbi Anglong district and Agricultural College in Kolonga, West Karbi Anglong. Prime Minister Modi was given a rousing welcome at the Community Reception Centre of the program by more than 20 communities residing in Karbinanglong from Tai, Assamese Gorkhas, Manipuri, Bengali, Tea Tribes other than Karbis and Dimasas. Prime...

Leena Doley appointed SP Nagoan

Biswanath District SP APS Officer Leena Doley  is appointed as Nagaon Superintendent of Police (SP). She will take charge from Dhruba Bora, Additional SP, Nagaon (HQ), who was given the temporary charge of SP of the district after celebrity  IPS officer Anand Mishra SP Nagoan was transferred and attached to Assam Police Headquaters.  Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had ordered Mishra's transfer following  officer’s challenging  comments in connection with one man committee report of Nagoan Police shooting case of AASU leader Kirti Kamal Bora. Mishra is now given charge of as Assistant IGP (Sports). Leena Doley had joined as SP Biswanath on August 20, 2021.