North Bengal Development minister Gautam Deb, who was today in Mirik to distribute rations, has appealed to Gorkha Janmukti Morcha chief Bimal Gurung and leaders of the Gorkhaland Joint Action Committee to give up their agitation comprising bandhs and demonstrations and sit for talks with the state government.
While distributing rations to residents of Singbulli tea garden, Deb said, “The agitators appear in no mood to relent, but the state government is doing the best it can to prevent the general public from being affected.”
He said the government wants peace to prevail in the Hills and for this there is always room for talk. The minister added the ongoing agitation has especially started affecting the poorer sections of the Hills populace even as he appealed to both the GJM and GJAC to normalise the functioning of the GTA and regenerate tourism as the vital sector has already suffered losses of an estimated Rs15 crore already.
While distributing rations to residents of Singbulli tea garden, Deb said, “The agitators appear in no mood to relent, but the state government is doing the best it can to prevent the general public from being affected.”
He said the government wants peace to prevail in the Hills and for this there is always room for talk. The minister added the ongoing agitation has especially started affecting the poorer sections of the Hills populace even as he appealed to both the GJM and GJAC to normalise the functioning of the GTA and regenerate tourism as the vital sector has already suffered losses of an estimated Rs15 crore already.
GJAC fully supports GJM’s indefinite strike
Amid continual arrests of party leaders and activists, GJM president Bimal Gurung today announced the GJM would carry out separate programmes even though the Gorkhaland Joint Action Committee has been formed to lead the statehood movement.
The GJM has called for an indefinite strike saying this would continue till the arrested people are released unconditionally and the GJAC has expressed full support to this.
GJAC president Enos Das Pradhan said, “We discussed elaborately about the GJM’s strike call and also talked about the situation under which Gurung made the announcement. The party’s 721 hardcore activists have been arrested by the state government and Gurung’s call under such a backdrop situation is outright correct. We express our support to the shutdown call.”
Pradhan also appreciated the people’s efforts in making the GJAC’s programmes from August 19 to 23 a success. He said the joint action committee would sit to discuss future programmes on August 26.
On being asked about Gurung’s announcement of the indefinite strike without consulting the GJAC, Pradhan said, “We have come together because our beliefs are the same. We want to keep this belief intact.”
Criticising the state government, he said, “The government has not only violated the GTA agreement, but also basic human rights. The way the arrests are being made is against human rights. The detainees are being treated like common criminals and this is unjust. They are political prisoners and must be treated likewise.”
The GJAC chairman also informed the committee would form a legal cell and work in close cooperation with it. He said the centre and state governments must change their outlook towards the Hills. The problem is not that of law and order and Darjeeling shouldn’t be compared to Jungle Mahal. The agitation here is being portrayed in a wrong manner, added Pradhan.(EOI)
The GJM has called for an indefinite strike saying this would continue till the arrested people are released unconditionally and the GJAC has expressed full support to this.
GJAC president Enos Das Pradhan said, “We discussed elaborately about the GJM’s strike call and also talked about the situation under which Gurung made the announcement. The party’s 721 hardcore activists have been arrested by the state government and Gurung’s call under such a backdrop situation is outright correct. We express our support to the shutdown call.”
Pradhan also appreciated the people’s efforts in making the GJAC’s programmes from August 19 to 23 a success. He said the joint action committee would sit to discuss future programmes on August 26.
On being asked about Gurung’s announcement of the indefinite strike without consulting the GJAC, Pradhan said, “We have come together because our beliefs are the same. We want to keep this belief intact.”
Criticising the state government, he said, “The government has not only violated the GTA agreement, but also basic human rights. The way the arrests are being made is against human rights. The detainees are being treated like common criminals and this is unjust. They are political prisoners and must be treated likewise.”
The GJAC chairman also informed the committee would form a legal cell and work in close cooperation with it. He said the centre and state governments must change their outlook towards the Hills. The problem is not that of law and order and Darjeeling shouldn’t be compared to Jungle Mahal. The agitation here is being portrayed in a wrong manner, added Pradhan.(EOI)
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