GJAC call for rallies, demonstrations receives setback from Mirik

Even though the Gorkhaland Joint Action Committee’s ‘ghar bhitra janata programme was reportedly successful in Mirik, the next phase of the agitation comprising demonstrations and rallies failed to gather momentum. Observers have pointed out that town residents had earlier actively participated in such rallies and demonstrations when they were organised by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha.
But after the onus of leading the statehood agitation went to the joint forum, the Bypass More in Mirik wore a mark of emptiness for the first time in spite of the pre-announced rally and demonstration programme following the ‘people remaining indoors’ agitation on Monday.
Even so, it has been argued that people may have also been dissuaded by the presence of more paramilitary forces to tighten up security. A few people were seen at the Bypass More early Tuesday morning, but they soon left the place as hardly any more residents from town turned up.
When asked about this apparent setback from Mirik to the agitation programme, GJAC president Enos Das Pradhan said he had no information of the incident, but at the same time acknowledged nothing could be achieved without total support from the people. He also informed the GJAC is preparing a strategy of targeting the Centre and future programmes would be finalised in the committee’s meeting scheduled on August 30.(EOI)