The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha is glued to
its stand about the statehood agitation being totally democratic and not
in violation of any law even as it prepares to appear before the
Supreme Court on September 16 for a hearing on a petition it has
submitted.
GJM general secretary Roshan Giri had on
September 3 filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the apex court
against the Calcutta High Court’s orders issued on August 7 and 14
terming the GJM’s strike and ‘ghar bhitra janta’ agitation to be
illegal.
Giri said, “Calling strikes is not
illegal and people voicing their demands is their democratic right. A
peaceful and democratic movement is in progress in the Darjeeling hills
for the legitimate demand of a separate state.”
Further, the high court had directed the
state government to ensure no inconvenience is caused to the general
public and to take adequate measures to that effect within 72 hours. The
state government was forced to comply and started mass arrests of GJM
activists and leaders including Gorkhaland Territorial Administration
members. The police have arrested more than 2,000 GJM supporters and
leaders since July 29.
The high court ruling says any form of protest or strike cannot be implemented by use of force.
In response, Giri said, “In our petition
filed by KV Srikumar, the advocate on record, it is mentioned we have
not used coercion and emergency services and tea gardens have been kept
outside the purview of the bandh. The ongoing agitation has received
full support of the people and they are actively participating in it.”
The GJM general secretary will represent the party in the Supreme Court on September 16.
The GJM has also filed another SLP in
the high court against the state government’s demand for reimbursement
of losses to the tune of Rs70 crore for the damage to government
properties allegedly by GJM cadres.(EOI)
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