Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) president Bimal Gurung on Saturday said the party has decided to go on an indefinite strike from Monday demanding a separate state of 'Gorkhaland'.
Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) president Bimal Gurung on Saturday said the party has decided to go on an indefinite strike from Monday demanding a separate state of 'Gorkhaland'.
After a meeting of the Morcha at Darjeeling's Malidhura, GJM president Bimal Gurung wrote a letter to Home Minister Rajnath Singh demanding for separate Gorkhaland state.
The GJM has in the past called for indefinite strikes, but the group seems to be focused on targeting government establishments. The state, on the other hand, anticipating the risk of vandalism at government offices, deployed police at these establishments.
“From Monday onwards, all state government and GTA offices will remain shut. Revenue gathering offices of electricity and mines will be closed too. Banks will remain open on Monday and Thursday,” Roshan Giri, General Secretary of GJM said at a press conference after the meeting.
“Gorkhaland is our only demand. The state government gathers revenue from this place and does nothing for the betterment of the hills. We need to have a separate state for our welfare,” Gurung said.
It was also decided in the meeting that all signboards in Darjeeling, Mirik, Kurseong and Kalimpong would bear content only in Nepali and English. A team of GJM leaders will also seek an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rajnath Singh to discuss thr Gorkhaland issue.
(With agency inputs)
1. Burning Effigy
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Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) supporters during their protest in Darjeeling on Thursday.
Image courtesy: PTI
2. Black flags
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Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) supporters waving black flags on the streets of Darjeeling on Thursday during their protest .
Image courtesy: PTI
3. Blaze
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A state-government bus in flames after it was torched by Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) supporters in Darjeeling on Thursday.
Image courtesy: PTI
4. Language Row
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Gorkha Janmukti Morcha supporters holding a protest outside Bang Bhawan in New Delhi on Saturday decision of the West Bengal government to teach Bengali language in all schools.
Image courtesy: PTI
5. Police vehicle in flames
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A Police vehicle in flames after being torched by Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) supporters in Darjeeling on Thursday.
Image courtesy: PTI
6. CRPF troops
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CRPF troops patrol the streets a day after GJM (Gorkha Janmukti Morcha) supporters resorted to violence. Situation remained tense in the hills with thousands of tourists stranded.
Image courtesy: PTI
