GJM suspends bandh yet again, Commando force in Darjeeling undergoes revival

GJM further relaxes indefinite bandh in Darjeeling
The Economics Times

KOLKATA: The Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) today further relaxed the indefinite bandh in the Darjeeling hills, which was to resume from tomorrow, till August 7.

"The relaxation is to pave the way for tripartite talks for a separate Gorkhaland state," GJM general secretary Roshan Giri said.

During the relaxation period, people in the hills would hold prayer meetings in support of Gorkhaland, he said.

From tomorrow, however, the GJM would enforce closure of all central and West Bengal government offices, hill council offices and hydel projects in the hills, but banks, post offices and FCI offices would be allowed to function on Mondays and Fridays, Giri said.

This was decided at the party's central committee meeting presided over by GJM chief Bimal Gurung.

The indefinite bandh began on June 16, but a 60-hour relaxation was given from 6:00 pm of June 22, which was further relaxed till July five.

Reiterating its demand for a tripartite meeting in Delhi, Giri said Bimal Gurung had written yesterday to West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and his reply was awaited.

On enforcing 'Gorkhaland'(GL) numberplate on vehicles from July 7, he said those of GJM central committee members would first adopt it, which would be followed by those of government and private vehicles and taxis.

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GJM suspends bandh yet again
Special Correspondent – The Hindu

KOLKATA: The Gorkha Janamukti Morcha on Saturday suspended its bandh in the Darjeeling hills yet again, till August 7.

The decision comes in the wake of a letter sent by GJM president Bimal Gurung to West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, asking him to facilitate tripartite talks, involving the Centre, on the morcha’s demand for a separate State.

Earlier, the bandh was relaxed on June 22 till Saturday. “We have decided to put it on hold till August 7 in view of prayers being held by religious groups in different parts of the hills during this period,” Roshan Giri, GJM general secretary, told The Hindu over telephone from Darjeeling. Also, the GJM leadership was awaiting the Chief Minister’s response to Mr. Gurung’s letter.

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Commando force in Darjeeling undergoes revival
SaharaSamay

Siliguri, July 5: The police commando force in trouble-torn Darjeeling is being strengthened, a senior official said today.

The commandos were provided only batons when the force came into being during 1990s, said Darjeeling Superintendent of Police Rahul Srivastav.

The number has gone up to 120 from 30 since the inception of the commando force. Srivastav said half of them have been working as kitchen assistants and office assistants.

He said that reorganisation of the force is not due to the ongoing agitation by Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM).

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GJMM stand
The Statesman

DARJEELING, July 5: The Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha would not re-impose its indefinite strike in the Darjeeling Hills from tomorrow. It would emphasise on prayer sessions instead to take forward its movement. The decision comes following the state government's consent to tripartite talks on the GJMM's Gorkhaland demand, the GJMM leadership claimed. SNS