96-hr strike in Darjeeling called off

The Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) on Monday decided to call off its 96-hour strike for a separate Gorkhaland state.

However, the proposed fast-unto-death will continue.
GJM president Bimal Gurung said the strike was called off as it would inconvenience tourists.

“We have called off the strike following requests from Union home minister P Chidambaram and leader of the opposition in Parliament, LK Advani. But our fast-unto-death agitation will continue,” Gurung said. But analysts say the strike was called off following pressure from the public, whose business would have been hit hard in this year-end season.

GJM is looking forward to tripartite talks with the Centre and West Bengal government in New Delhi on December 21, 2009.