Mukesh Sharma

Kalimpong, February 17:

Renewing their call for a separate Gorkhaland state, the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) today called for a series of strikes in Darjeeling district next month and advised tourists not to visit the hill stations during the bandh days. Despite of the cold rainy weather, mass number of people gathered at the Mela Ground, Kalimpong today to attend the GJM’s public meeting.

The GJM President Bimal Gurung called for four days of strikes in the three sub-divisions of Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong on March 14-15 and 21-22.

He also threatened to close all government offices in the region from March 9-27.

“We are doing this to renew our struggle for Gorkhaland and strengthen our demands," Gurung told today while declaring the Morcha’s 3rd phase of Gorkhaland agitation.

He also advised tourists not to visit the hill stations during the bandh days to avoid any inconvenience.

“We can't help if they come during that time. But if they come before or after the bandh days, we will take care of them”, he said.

Further, Gurung declaring the programmes chalked out for this phase of agitation informed that the Morcha’s frontal organizations will be carrying out a torch rally from February 19 till March 08, 2013. The Morcha leaders of the 3 sub divisions along with the members of the Study Forum Central Committee and other Morcha leaders from February 24- March 13 will go to meet the Chief Ministers of various states and their Members of Parliament. These meetings will mainly focus in gathering support for the Gorkhaland demand, added the Morcha Chief. Likewise, he notified that the Naari Morcha will be holding public meetings at Kurseong on March 03, at Mirik on March 10, at Kalimpong on March 17 and at Darjeeling on March 27.

During the series of forthcoming bandhs, the GJM frontal organizations will be conducting picketing and public meetings, told Gurung. On March 31, the Morcha will be declaring the 2nd chapter of the 3rd phase of the agitation at Sukna, he said.

After having announced the agitation programmes the Morcha Chief urged the people of the hills not to step behind for Gorkhaland and also appealed the oppositions to lend their support.

He also appealed the people of Kalimpong not to intervene in the changing political scenario of Sikkim. He reminded the people that Sikkim is in favour of Gorkhaland, and thus, asked the people not to bother into Sikkim politics and worsen it.

“Sikkim is a different state. The people here should not interfere in its political matters”, underlined Gurung.

Further mentioning about the Lepcha Development Council (LDC), Gurung said that the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) had already passed a resolution for the same. Thus, the passing of the resolution again by the state government was not at all necessary; he said and alleged the West Bengal government of applying divide and rule policy in the hills. He also expressed his sadness about few political leaders favouring the WB government for thie own vested interests. Gurung reiterated that the GTA will be filing a case against the state government in the Supreme Court, and if in this process, the passed resolution is cancelled than the state government will be held responsible.

Lastly, mentioning about Yusuf Simick’s racial comment which was published in a vernacular daily, Gurung said, “If Simick has not delivered such comments then he should file a case against the media house and further clarify it”.

It may be recalled that Simick on February 12, 2013 had said that all the Gorkhas have migrated in the country from Nepal and other places. However, on Saturday had denied of having delivered such comments and had also expressed that if needed he will be filing a defamation case.