Click to play videoDarjeeling/New Delhi: The Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM), which is agitating for a separate Gorkhaland state in northern West Bengal, on Sunday called for an indefinite strike in Darjeeling Hills from Monday evening.
A GJM spokesperson said the group’s central committee decided to enforce a shutdown in the hills from 1800 hrs IST Monday to press for statehood. The shutdown will resume in the three Hill sub-divisions of Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong.
Seven GJM members will go on a relay hunger strike in Siliguri town, Terai and Dooars. GJM General Secretary Roshan Giri told CNN-IBN National Highway 31 to Sikkim—a vital supplies route to the state—would be blocked during the strike.
Giri rejected allegations that his group was turning to violence but admitted that GJM supporters had been asked to carry their “traditional” khukris (dagger) during the strike.
Giri accused the Left Front government of West Bengal of using the “state machinery” against the GJM and “inciting” violence. “We believe in the democratic process but the state and Central governments are not paying heed to the people’s aspirations,” said Giri.
A decision to enforce the strike was taken on Sunday afternoon at a GJM meeting in Siliguri chaired by president Bimal Gurung.
The GJM had stared an indefinite strike in the Darjeeling Hills on June 9 but withdrew it for 60 hours from Wednesday so that tourists could leave for their homes. Essential supplies had only just begun moving to the Darjeeling Hills and a fresh strike may make the situation worse.
The West Bengal government has rejected demand for a separate Gorkha state but has invited GJM for talks on June 18. The group has rejected the invite.
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