GJM calls indefinite strike in govt offices from Wednesday

A day after calling off its four-day shutdown,the GJM gave a fresh call for an indefinite bandh in government offices and educational institutions in the Darjeeling hills.

A day after calling off its four-day shutdown,the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) on Tuesday gave a fresh call for an indefinite bandh in government offices and educational institutions in the Darjeeling hills from Wednesday in a bid to keep up the pressure ahead of the tripartite talks on December 21.

“The bandh is to express solidarity for GJM members on a fast-unto-death over the Gorkhaland demand since December 11 and whose condition is deteriorating fast,” GJM central committee member Harkabahadur Chetri said from Darjeeling.

The strike called by GJM-backed Janmukti Karmachari Sangsthan and Secondary and Primary Teachers’ organizations would be observed in all state and central government offices,he said,with banks,post offices and emergency services exempted.

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Stating that the onus is on the West Bengal government for participating in the tripartite talks in Darjeeling,Chetri said “We will participate.”

“The Union Home Minister told a GJM delegation,BJP leaders and MP from Darjeeling Jaswant Singh that the tripartite talks are on a fast track and some positive outcome was expected,” Chetri said.

Demanding that the Centre should grant Gorkhaland on the lines of a separate Telangana,he said the GJM was opposed to a different criterion for the 102-year-old demand.

Asked whether the fresh strike call would not disturb the atmosphere for the tripartite talks,he said “We do not think so.”

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“Schools and other educational institutions in Darjeeling are on vacation. Employees and teachers’ bodies will be on strike to express solidarity with the hunger-strikers. What is the wrong in that?,” he said.

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