Vijoynagar Violence: Darjeeling MP leads delegation to meet Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

ITANAGAR: Darjeeling MP Raju Bista along with a delegation from Vijaynagar in Arunachal Pradesh held a meeting on Thursday with the Union Defense Minister, Rajnath Singh in connection with the recent violence threat issued by to Ex-Army families living in the area.

According to reports, the delegation had met with Darjeeling MP Raju Bista Wednesday, and had requested for his intervention.

On December 11, a 500-odd strong mob, allegedly armed with weapons burnt down government buildings including the Extra Assistant Commissioner’s (EAC) office, Strategic Office, post-office, and also ransacked the local police station resulting in a series of violence in Vijaynagar,. The families and descendants of the ex-army families were also threatened of eviction by All Yobin Students Union.

It may be mentioned that during the 1960s, many retired and ex-army personnel of Assam Rifles, mostly belonging to the Gorkha community were sent by the Government of India to settle down in the easternmost frontiers of Vijaynagar. This region holds critical strategic importance from India’s national security perspective.

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A member of the delegation informed, “Defence Minister gave a patient hearing to our plights and said that he will speak with the State Government regarding the issue. The Minister also assured us that all measures will be taken up for ensuring the protection and safety of the Ex-Army families living in the area.”

The delegation also submitted a copy of their memorandum with Darjeeling MLA, Neeraj Tamang Zimba who is currently in Delhi.

“Presently, we are also consulting with lawyers and preparing to file a petition with the Supreme Court for intervention. We are exploring all options to ensure that our families are protected and safeguarded in the long run as the matter not only pertains to our individual lives, but the security of the nation in long run," said a member of the delegation. "It must be noted that our grandfathers did not come here by choice, but following the orders of the Government of India. We have contributed to the development of this uninhabited land so that it could be part of India. But today, once our utility is over, we are being asked to evict and go away. This is injustice to us.”

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