GJM calls for indefinite bandh in Darjeeling hills

Darjeeling (WB), June 10: The Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) on Saturday 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.

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.

GJM supremo Bimal Gurung had said that agitation will not stop until a separate Gorkhaland is formed. — PTI

THERE WILL be an indefinite shutdown in GTA offices, banks and government offices from Monday. Schools, colleges, transport, hotels are exempt from the purview of the strike, says GJM leader