Gorkhaland: GJM warns of stir over interim council

The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha,demanding a separate state of Gorkhaland,has warned of intense agitations if the proposed interim council for Darjeeling was not formed by December 20.

At a rally attended by over 3,000 people in Darjeeling on Sunday,Morcha president Bimal Gurung called for a two-day bandh starting December 21. Gurung also said that December 6 onwards,all government offices except that of the DM and the SP will remain closed till further announcements. “If the interim council does not materialise by December 20,an agitation for a separate state of Gorkhaland will start again,” said Morcha spokesman Harkabahadur Chhetri over the telephone.

He also said that the Morcha would not compromise on its demands for nomination of the members of the council and inclusion of Terai and Dooars region in the council’s territory.