GJM calls indefinite bandh in Darjeeling

Kolkata: Hours after CM Mamata Banerjee left the Hills, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha declared an indefinite bandh in Darj-eeling from Monday, in support of its demand for a separate Gorkhaland state. “The government will actively resist the design with all the force at its command,” TMC’s Goutam Deb said.

Darjeeling is expected to witness another period of turmoil as the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) dared to challenge the Mamata Banerjee government by declaring bandh for an indefinite period in Darjeeling from Monday. Barely few hours after chief minister Mamata Banerjee left the Hills, GJM general secretary Roshan Giri said, “All government and Central government offices and banks, including that of the Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA), will remain closed for indefinite period from Monday. Schools, transport, hotels and shops will not be under the purview of the strike. Banks will remain open only on Monday and Thursday.”

The offices of the BDO, SDO and the district magistrate will also come under the purview of the strike.

The GJM’s decision assumes significance as

I have come to Darjeeling many times, which has made their (GJM) job of looting funds difficult. So they don’t want me in the Hills.

— Mamata Banerjee, Bengal CM

chief minister Mamata Banerjee only a few hours before had said in Siliguri that she can compromise for the sake of peace but not against the use of bombs and gunpowder to unleash violence.

“We have made a lot of compromise, so much so that we have our backs stuck to the wall (compromise korte korte dewale pith theke geche). So law will take its own course,” the chief minister said, adding that bandh is illegal and the high court too has declared it so.

The annoucement by the GJM came after they held a marathon meeting in the Hills where the top GJM leadership, including supporters and members, were present.

“All signboards in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong including the Terai-Doars region will either be in Nepali or in English. This is to give recognition to our own Nepali language,” Mr Giri said.

A few hours before the Morcha’s announcement, Ms Banerjee said the Morcha leadership has been responsible for the misapproprtaion of development funds. “I have been coming here a number of times that has made thieir job of looting funds difficult. So they are not wanting me in the Hills. But I will continue to come here as long as the people of the Hills want me to come.”

“The government will actively resist the design with all the force at its command,” Trinamul Congress Darjeeling district president Goutam Deb said.