Kalimpong,23rd September 

A day after chief minister Mamata Banerjee had charged that the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, controlled by the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha,couldn’t develop the hills even after the state government provided Rs 4,000 crore during the past four years, GJMM chief Bimal Gurung today challenged Miss Banerjee to substantiate her “claim” with facts or else the GJMM will give a call for a 12- hour bandh in the hills on 28 September.

In a hurriedly called Press conference Mr Gurung said Miss Banerjee had made a misleading statement and the GTA would file a defamation case against her. “It’s very sad the CM can resort to such a blatant lie in front of the people in the hills. She should have known a mere RTI will be enough to nail her lie. I suggest each and every conscious person to file RTI. The reply will be the GTA, has so far, been given a budget of Rs 238 crore throughout its tenure of four years.” Mr Gurung hinted a major agitation was being planned against “the dictatorship and divide and rule policy of the CM.”

“I suggest all tourists and visitors, who are planning to visit the hills should reconsider their decision after assessing the situation. The agitation this time is of great importance and I won’t entertain any request to resume transportation for tourists as we did some time back”, Mr Gurung said. Within hours of Gurung’s threat,the CM said no bandh would be allowed. “I will keep visiting the hills and none can stop me. Bandhs hamper tourism which is synonymous with the development of the hills. If tourism suffers, how will most of you earn your livelihood ?”