Will continue to push for Gorkhaland: GJM chief
December 12th, 2009 - 5:00 pm ICT by IANS
Siliguri, Dec 12 (IANS) Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) president Bimal Gurung said Saturday they would continue to push for a separate Gorkhaland state until the central government conceded their demand.
Meanwhile, GJM activists continued their protest rallies and fast-unto-death protests in different parts of the hills areas in northern West Bengal.
“The Gorkhaland demand is 102-years old but we are yet to get our own identity. If the centre can promise a separate Telangana state, then why not Gorkhaland?” Gurung said.
He said the GJM would carry out its protests in a non-violent and democratic manner.
“We don’t want any violence in the hills. We believe in Gandhian philosophy. We think if the Telangana demand, which is about 50 years old, can be met by the centre, why will the union government not consider our cry for a separate state.
“Now our workers are carrying out the fast, if necessary I can also join them in achieving the goal,” Gurung said, when asked if he would join the fast in future.
The GJM activists began a fast-unto-death in the three hills and plains of Darjeeling district and in the Dooars area of Jalpaiguri district Friday. Altogether 105 GJM activists in three hill subdivisions - Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong - and in the plains of Siliguri and the Dooars (foothills) at Matigara are taking part in the hunger strike.
The outfit also announced a 96 hour-shutdown in the region from Dec 14 to 17. Protest rallies are also continuing since Friday.
GJM activists have been demanding a separate Gorkhaland state, besides opposing special status to the hill governing body Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC).
The central government in 2005 offered the Sixth Schedule status to the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF)-led Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC), ensuring greater autonomy to the governing body.
The GJM organised indefinite shutdowns twice in the hills last year and once in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls this year, severely hitting tea, timber and tourism - the bread and butter of the region.
- After Telangana, demand for Gorkhaland heats up (Lead) - Dec 10, 2009
- Tourists leave Darjeeling as Gorkhaland movement gains momentum - Dec 11, 2009
- Darjeeling pact signed amid euphoria and protests (Roundup) - Jul 18, 2011
- Gorkhaland party suspends fast-unto-death for two days - Dec 19, 2009
- Now, GJM to start indefinite fast for Gorkhaland state - Dec 10, 2009
- Gorkha group calls for 240-hour shutdown next month - May 13, 2010
- Darjeeling set for historic treaty - amid controversy - Jul 17, 2011
- CRPF deployed on second day of Gorkha group's shutdown - May 16, 2010
- GJM threatens to renew Gorkhaland demand - Feb 09, 2012
- GJM activists stone Sikkim-bound vehicles - May 15, 2010
- Ahead of meet with GJM, Mamata rejects Bengal's division (Lead) - Feb 11, 2012
- Divide Darjeeling into two districts: GJM - Aug 03, 2011
- Bangla group's shutdown call evokes partial response - Jan 17, 2011
- Darjeeling hills happy, but seek Gorkha area demarcation - Jul 18, 2011
- Mamata blames centre for delay on Gorkha autonomy (Lead) - Feb 11, 2012
Tags: activists, autonomy, bimal, central government, democratic manner, gjm, gorkha, governing body, gurung, hills areas, hunger strike, jalpaiguri district, kalimpong, kurseong, national liberation front, protest rallies, protests, shutdowns, union government, west bengal