Gorkhaland turmoil: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha to start indefinite strike for separate state

Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) is set to start a movement for a separate state in Darjeeling and surrounding hill areas of West Bengal from today. The indefinite strike has been called by the hill party for the formation of a Gorkhaland based on language and ethnicity.

GJM chief Bimal Gurung was quoted by news agency ANI, “We will go on strike from Monday. Bengal government takes so much revenue from us but it only encroach our territory. We want our Gorkhaland and will not negotiate on this matter.” However, Gurung has assured that there we will be no violence in the name of agitation.

GJM is against the announcement made by Mamata Banerjee’s government, which makes Bengali compulsory from Class 1 to 10 across schools. The government also announced that Nepali and/or English could only be used for signboards in Darjeeling, Mirik, Kalimpong, Kurseong and several parts of Dooars and Terai.

The hill party is likely to hold an all-party meeting on June 13 to discuss the details about the agitation and its demands. GJM general secretary Roshan Giri said, “Offices of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, Bengal government and Central Government will be closed from Monday. The court will be open. Banks will be open on Monday and Thursday.” He added that schools and colleges have been exempted.

In July 2011, an agreement for the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) — a semi-autonomous administrative body — was signed between the state government and the GJM. Presently, the GTA is under the GJM.