Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council
The Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) is an autonomous body that looks after the District of Darjeeling in the state of West Bengal, India. The body has a fair amount of autonomy in the district and handles healthcare, tourism, education and governance. The state of West Bengal looks after the law and order, judicial system, communications and the higher education in the district. The DCGH has four sub-divisions under it. Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong and Mirik.
The DGHC was formed in 1988 after large scale unrest among the Gorkha or Nepali people. The Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) sought a separate state for the Nepali peoples carved out of West Bengal. An armistice was reached and the DGCH was given authority of the district of Darjeeling with limited autonomy. However a splinter group called the Gorkhaland Liberation Organisation (GLO) has sought a separate state for the residents. Many residents are sceptical as to what benefits the new state would bring in, given the lack of industries in the region.
In the meantime, the GNLF has formed the local government of the autonomous DGHC, under the leadership of Subhash Ghising. In 1995, the GNLF suffered a major split, with Chiten Sherpa breaking off to form the All-India Gorkha League, which is more autonomy-minded (as opposed to pro-statehood). The Gorkha League and Left Front parties (led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist)) have co-operated in opposition to the GNLF.