Gorkhaland's President Changes Number Plates

The West Bengal government, India, is currently attempting to take necessary steps to stop President Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM)'s move in the Darjeeling hills to replace sign posts and vehicle registration plates from representing the "Government of West Bengal" to the "Government of Gorkhaland".

Gorkhaland is the name given to the area around Dajeeling and the Duars in north West Bengal, India. There has been a long-running campaign from the residents of Gorkhaland (Gorkhas) to be given a separate state for themselves. Now, drastic action is being taken to show just how passionate they are about this.

Sign boards in Gorkhaland have been altered to say "Government of Gorkhaland", even though the law states that the area is still part of West Bengal. As well as this, number plates which, by law, should display the letters "WB" (West Bengal), have been altered to "GL" (Gorkhaland).

The state's Home Secretary, Ashok Mohan Chakravarty, expressed his anger, and said, "Number plates of vehicles cannot be changed in a way anyone wishes to...It has no sanction of the law."

Although the local administration has been asked to take necessary steps to intervene, there has also been concern for the potential consequences of this. It is thought that a confrontational move against those altering signposts and car registrations is best avoided at a delicate time. The GJM's demand for a separate state is being discussed and talks are taking place to resolve the issue. Causing more conflict may have undesirable results.

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