Following the arrest of GJM chief spokesperson Norbu G Lama on Saturday, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) supporters agitated in front of Rungli Rungliot Police Station on Sunday. "They had been demanding to lower the number of days of his police custody," said Prabhakar Thapa, one of the activists.
He also said that of the three persons who were on hunger strike in Darjeeling, one was in a critical condition. "He has been offered medical help which he has refused, we might lose him," Thapa added. A human chain was also formed from Darjeeling to Sukna which stood there for about two hours.
In another development on the 53rd day of the strike called by the GJM, morcha leaders said they were looking at a positive response from the Centre after the vice-presidential election. "BJP MP from Darjeeling SS Ahluwalia has been told about it and he is in talks with the Central leaders. The strike has been continuing for over 50 days now and agitators here have not budged from their stand. The Centre should now respond to our stand. There had been indications to reach out to the GJM by the Centre, but we have a one-point agenda of Gorkhaland which we will not back out from," said GJM general secretary Bimal Gurung.
Another senior GJM leader said they were looking forward to good news from the Centre and that Ahluwalia, who had been avoiding visiting the hills would return to his constituency with good news. He said that protestors were growing impatient over the indifference of the state and Centre. It was discovered that from August 9, GJM supporters would organise a 'Tiranga Yatra' at the hills. "Looking at the growing dissatisfaction among the youth here, after August 9, the protest might get more violent. We have been agitating in a democratic manner so far but police have responded with gunfire. This is unfortunate," the GJM leader said.
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