The Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) today called an indefinite shutdown
of government and Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) offices
in Darjeeling hills from Monday.
The GJM, however, exempted schools, colleges, transport, hotels from
the purview of the shutdown and said banks will remain open only twice a
week.
"There will be indefinite shutdown in GTA offices, banks and
government offices from Monday. The banks will open twice a week for
public transactions. We have exempted schools, colleges, transport,
hotels from the purview of the strike," GJM general secretary Roshan
Giri told reporters here after the organisation's central committee
meeting. He also announced that all the signboards written in Bengali
will be removed from Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong, Mirik, Siliguri,
Terai and Dooars region and signboards only in English and Nepali would
be allowed.
"We will not attend GTA offices. Thrice a week we will organise
torch rallies in the hills," he said. GTA and government offices will,
however, remain open for four days from June 27. Earlier in the day, GJM
supremo Bimal Gurung said that he was not for strikes. Gurung also
called for "non-cooperation" movement with the state government and
accused it of looting resources from the hills and depriving it of basic
amenities. He said that agitation in Darjeeling hills will not stop
until and unless a separate Gorkhaland is formed.
"If TMC wants to play with fire they will regret it," he said. "We
will appeal to the people not to cooperate with the state government. It
is taking away so much resources from the hills and what are the people
of the hills getting? We are getting nothing. "This has to stop. We
will fight for our freedom and will not allow the divisive politics in
the hills," Gurung said. The GJM leadership today wrote to the Centre
urging it to look into the Gorkhaland demand.
Mamata warns GJM of action, says will not go for compromise
In a stern warning to Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) for resorting to
violence in Darjeeling, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today
said the state government would not go for any compromise and deal with
those who violated law.
"They (GJM) have become politically bankrupt and resorted to
violence. I hope good sense will prevail on them. We cannot live in
peace by resorting to terror and violence," she told reporters at
'Uttarkanya', the mini-secretariat, here. "We have compromised a lot and
it seems that now we have our back against the wall. You can compromise
for the good and for peace but it cannot be done for bombs and arms,"
she said.
Indicating that the state government would act tough, the chief
minister said the superintendent of police for Darjeeling has been
changed and three senior IPS officers were sent to deal with the
situation in the hill town. Asked whether GJM chief Bimal Gurung would
be arrested for the violence in the town on Thursday last, she said law
will take its own course. "If anybody has violated the law, he will be
dealt accordingly".
The hill station had turned into a virtual battlefield after GJM
supporters clashed with the police on Thursday when they were stopped
from marching to the Raj Bhawan where the state cabinet meeting was
underway. Reiterating her opposition to the bandh, Banerjee said, "Bandh
is illegal. Even the High Court has declared it illegal." She said the
election to Morcha-controlled Gorkhaland Territorial Administration
(GTA) would be held and the new board will assume office by August 2.
"We will go to the people. They will also go. We will wait for the
people's verdict", she said. Yesterday, Banerjee had stated that
Morcha-led GTA had "failed" to carry out any development work in the
hills and when their term was scheduled to be over next month, they have
started "torturing the public". She also called for strengthening
tourism industry in the hill town.
The situation in Darjeeling is "very stable and peaceful", the chief
minister said, adding she was hopeful that everybody would contribute
in maintaining peace. About the situation in the tea industry, Mamata
accused CPI-M, Congress and BJP of "playing dirty politics" in the hills
and said they would be held "responsible" if tea gardens are closed.
"The Modi government had promised to acquire seven tea gardens but they
have not done anything. We are helping the tea garden workers in every
possible way," she said. The chief minister said the state government
was open to negotiation and urged tea gardens workers not to pay heed to
the CPI-M, Congress or the BJP and go for strike.(DNA)
Post a Comment
We love to hear from you! What's on your mind?