Gorkhaland demand: GJM calls 96-hour bandh in Darjeeling
KOLKATA: Fearing that common people in Darjeeling may not support them for holding an indefinite bandh in the Hills, the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) on Thursday has given a fresh call for holding bandh for 96 hours. The GJM is demanding a separate state and has renewed their agitation in Darjeeling following the Centre's decision to accept statehood demand of Telengana. The GJM had earlier called for an indefinite bandh in Darjeeling from Saturday, but reviewed the situation on the Hills on Thursday and restricted their bandh to 96 hours instead of going for an indefinite bandh.
GJM leader Roshan Giri, however, said that they have withdrawn the indefinite bandh call in view of the Eid which falls on August 8. "We held a meeting today (Thursday) and decided not to go for an indefinite bandh. Instead, we will hold a 96 hour bandh in Darjeeling," Giri said on Thursday.
The GJM leaders will go to Delhi on Friday to meet the Union home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and senior Congress leaders. Political circles here feel that GJM is under pressure after chief minister Mamata Banerjee accepts resignation of the chief executive officer (CEO) of Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) Bimal Gurung, who is also the supreme leader of the GJM which is holding the current agitation in Darjeeling. Gurung had sent his resignation letter to the West Bengal governor M.K. Narayanan on Tuesday and the chief minister had accepted the same on Wednesday.
Political circles also feel that the GJM is on backfoot now as the chief minister has made it clear on Wednesday that she will not dissolve the GTA even though she had accepted Gurung's resignation. By accepting Gurung's resignation and by not dissolving the GTA, the chief minister has practically mounted pressure on the entire GJM leadership. A section of GJM leaders, it is learnt, have not approved Gurung's decision to quit the GTA and to go for an indefinite bandh in Darjeeling. These GJM leaders, many of whom are GTA functionaries, have also refused to resign from the GTA by refusing to accept Gurung's order.
Gurung is under pressure from the state government which has categorically refused to accept his demand for a Gorkha state. He is also facing criticism from his own fellow leaders who don't want to quit the GTA right now and don't favour an indefinite bandh in Darjeeling. Due to differences with these leaders, Gurung has probably gone on backfoot and restricted bandh in Darjeeling into 96 hours, rather than going for it for an indefinite period.
Meanwhile, Bangla O Bangla Bhasha Bachao Committee on Thursday has given a 48 hour bandh call in Siliguri, opposing GJM's demand for a separate Gorkha state. A spokesperson of this organisation said on Thursday that they will mobilise public opinion against GJM's demand for a separarte state. "The GJM has asked the tourists and students to leave Darjeeling by Friday as the organisation will be holding Darjeeling bandh from Saturday. We feel that GJM has no right to issue whip to the tourists and students to vacate Darjeeling which is a part and parcel of West Bengal. We condemn this act by the GJM and are holding badh in Siliguri to highlight our views," the spokesperson added.
- indiatimes.
GJM leader Roshan Giri, however, said that they have withdrawn the indefinite bandh call in view of the Eid which falls on August 8. "We held a meeting today (Thursday) and decided not to go for an indefinite bandh. Instead, we will hold a 96 hour bandh in Darjeeling," Giri said on Thursday.
The GJM leaders will go to Delhi on Friday to meet the Union home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and senior Congress leaders. Political circles here feel that GJM is under pressure after chief minister Mamata Banerjee accepts resignation of the chief executive officer (CEO) of Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) Bimal Gurung, who is also the supreme leader of the GJM which is holding the current agitation in Darjeeling. Gurung had sent his resignation letter to the West Bengal governor M.K. Narayanan on Tuesday and the chief minister had accepted the same on Wednesday.
Political circles also feel that the GJM is on backfoot now as the chief minister has made it clear on Wednesday that she will not dissolve the GTA even though she had accepted Gurung's resignation. By accepting Gurung's resignation and by not dissolving the GTA, the chief minister has practically mounted pressure on the entire GJM leadership. A section of GJM leaders, it is learnt, have not approved Gurung's decision to quit the GTA and to go for an indefinite bandh in Darjeeling. These GJM leaders, many of whom are GTA functionaries, have also refused to resign from the GTA by refusing to accept Gurung's order.
Gurung is under pressure from the state government which has categorically refused to accept his demand for a Gorkha state. He is also facing criticism from his own fellow leaders who don't want to quit the GTA right now and don't favour an indefinite bandh in Darjeeling. Due to differences with these leaders, Gurung has probably gone on backfoot and restricted bandh in Darjeeling into 96 hours, rather than going for it for an indefinite period.
Meanwhile, Bangla O Bangla Bhasha Bachao Committee on Thursday has given a 48 hour bandh call in Siliguri, opposing GJM's demand for a separate Gorkha state. A spokesperson of this organisation said on Thursday that they will mobilise public opinion against GJM's demand for a separarte state. "The GJM has asked the tourists and students to leave Darjeeling by Friday as the organisation will be holding Darjeeling bandh from Saturday. We feel that GJM has no right to issue whip to the tourists and students to vacate Darjeeling which is a part and parcel of West Bengal. We condemn this act by the GJM and are holding badh in Siliguri to highlight our views," the spokesperson added.
- indiatimes.
GJM reverses decision, calls indefinite bandh in Darjeeling
Reversing its decision within hours after the arrival of central forces in the hills, the GJM on Thursday said it took a 'hard decision' for an indefinite bandh in Darjeeling from Saturday to demand a Gorkhaland state on the lines of Telangana.
Accusing the West Bengal government of trying to 'crush a democratic movement', GJM leader Harka Bahadur Chhetri said "We had to take a hard stand." He said, "There will be indefinite bandh in the hills from August 3. There will be no relaxation."The bandh will be withdrawn on August 15 and continue again from August 16 bandh till a new programme is announced," he said. Earlier in the day, GJM general secretary and spokesman Roshan Giri had said that in view of Eid, the GJM would give some relaxation and the shut down would be for 96-hours.GJM President Bimal Gurung said that the Morcha would intensify its movement for a separate Gorkhaland as per the wishes of the hill people."There will be hardship, but our movement will continue," he said. On the arrival of central forces in the hills, Gurung said, "Let the security forces come. The forces had come earlier also. We will launch our movement in a democratic way."Giri earlier said that A GJM delegation would go to Delhi on Friday to press the demand for a Gorkhaland state.On the next course of action, Giri said it would be announced by the party president who would address a rally on August 11.To another query, he said that GTA members and GJM MLAs would resign when instructed by the party chief. Gurung had resigned as CEO of the Gorkha Territorial Administration, the hill council that runs the administration in the hills. Meanwhile, Darjeeling Superintendent of Police Kunal Agarwal said steps were being taken so that those willing to work, could do so in Darjeeling. The agitation in the hills has been sparked after Congress and its allies unanimously decided to carve out a Telangana state from Andhra Pradesh. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had on Tuesday ruled out division of the state and maintained that Darjeeling would remain a part of Bengal.
source: dnaindia.
Accusing the West Bengal government of trying to 'crush a democratic movement', GJM leader Harka Bahadur Chhetri said "We had to take a hard stand." He said, "There will be indefinite bandh in the hills from August 3. There will be no relaxation."The bandh will be withdrawn on August 15 and continue again from August 16 bandh till a new programme is announced," he said. Earlier in the day, GJM general secretary and spokesman Roshan Giri had said that in view of Eid, the GJM would give some relaxation and the shut down would be for 96-hours.GJM President Bimal Gurung said that the Morcha would intensify its movement for a separate Gorkhaland as per the wishes of the hill people."There will be hardship, but our movement will continue," he said. On the arrival of central forces in the hills, Gurung said, "Let the security forces come. The forces had come earlier also. We will launch our movement in a democratic way."Giri earlier said that A GJM delegation would go to Delhi on Friday to press the demand for a Gorkhaland state.On the next course of action, Giri said it would be announced by the party president who would address a rally on August 11.To another query, he said that GTA members and GJM MLAs would resign when instructed by the party chief. Gurung had resigned as CEO of the Gorkha Territorial Administration, the hill council that runs the administration in the hills. Meanwhile, Darjeeling Superintendent of Police Kunal Agarwal said steps were being taken so that those willing to work, could do so in Darjeeling. The agitation in the hills has been sparked after Congress and its allies unanimously decided to carve out a Telangana state from Andhra Pradesh. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had on Tuesday ruled out division of the state and maintained that Darjeeling would remain a part of Bengal.
source: dnaindia.
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