In Darjeeling, Didi bats for development, attacks GJM

In a strong message to the GJM, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Thursday said her government would not allow disruption of normal life in the name of bandhs that hindered peace and development of the hills.

"You want to do a movement for Gorkhaland, you can do that. (But) I do not want the process of development works to be stopped," Mamata said at the Mall here addressing the Trinamool Congress's first rally in the hills.

Without naming GJM or its supremo Bimal Gurung, she said she has not come to Darjeeling "to fight with you".

"I am here to develop Darjeeling. I can sacrifice my life for the people. But I cannot allow anybody to disturb peace," she reiterated.

Describing herself as a bridge between the state and Darjeeling to stay united, Mamata said she would visit the Hills more often.

She said her government would develop the places surrounding Darjeeling including, Kalimpong, Mirik and Sandakfu. "Don't you want tourists to come here? Tourists from across India come to Darjeeling. Last year, tourism flourished a lot. There was no hotel vacant in the hills. Many tourists slept on the railway platform. But I want to tell you that tourists will come only if there is peace," she added.

She also announced to pay the salary to all the government employees whose pay was deducted after they did not attend office during the indefinite strike in August.

Mamata, who will leave for Kolkata on October 26, is scheduled to meet three GJM MLAs including Harka Bahadur Chhetri, T K Dewan and Rohit Sharma on Friday.

"We will discuss the issues which the Gorkhaland Tribunal administration (GTA) faced," said Chhetri.

Meanwhile, Bimal Gurung has announced to hold a public meeting at the Mall, the venue from where Mamata addressed today's rally, on October 27.(ENS)