Darjeeling/ Kalimpong, March 14:

Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) conducted a peace/silent rally demanding for the separate state of Gorkhaland today in the hills. In Darjeeling, the rally started at around 11 am from Darjeeling Railway Station. After encircling the town, it ended at Chowrasta.

Town Committee President, Ishamani Pakhrin said that on February 17th GJM President Bimal Gurung had declared series of strikes in the hills, on March 14-15 and March 21-22. But on request of the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, the strikes had been called off. Thus, in order to compensate the same, the rally was organized today as per the directions of the GJM Chief, he said.

GTA Sabhasad Birkhu Bhusal, Town Committee General Secretary, Narayan Pradhan and all the members of the GJM frontal organizations were present during the rally.

Similarly, in Kalimpong too, the rally was carried out from the Morcha party office which ended at Damber Chowk.  The Morcha activists during the rally held placards which read, ‘We Want Gorkhaland’ and ‘Gorkhaland is our birth right’.

The Party Sub Divisional Secretary, Kumar Chamling after the rally addressing the gathering said that the government should not mistake Morcha’s silence.

“Though silent we are always ready to tackle the adversities put to us by the state government”, said Chamling.

Further, Naari Morcha member, Prof. Tara Lohar Lepcha reiterated that deep within the silence, people have oppressed their anger and revolt. She said that they are demanding separation from West Bengal not from the country. Lepcha added that they are demanding Gorkhaland as per the Indian Constitution and by hindering the fulfillment of the same, the Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee is humiliating the Constituion. Lastly, she added that before India became a free country, the Gorkhas were residing in the hills, thus, the demand is justifiable.

In the other hand the employees under the Government and Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) departments have been conducting Dharnas at their respective offices during lunch hours, daily. The Dharna under the directions of the Janmukti Karmachari Sangathan (JKS) is a part of the 3rd phase of Gorkhaland agitation.

Similar silent rallies will also be held on March 15, 21 and 22.