Darjeeling: 96-hour bandh called for separate Gorkhaland

Going back on its call for an indefinite shut down in Darjeeling in view of the Eid festival, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha on Thursday announced a four-day bandh from Saturday to demand a separate Gorkhaland.

"In view of Eid, we are making some relaxation and calling a 96-hour bandh in the hills from Saturday to demand a separate Gorkhaland state," GJM general secretary and spokesman Roshan Giri told reporters in Darjeeling.

He said that a GJM delegation would visit Delhi on Friday to press for the demand for Gorkhaland. The agitation in the hills has been sparked after the Congress and its allies unanimously decided to create Telangana state out of Andhra Pradesh.

On the next course of action, Giri said it would be announced by party president Bimal Gurung, who would address a rally on August 11.

To another query, he said that GTA members and GJM members of Legislative Assembly would resign when instructed by the party chief. Gurung has resigned as CEO of the Gorkha Territorial Administration, the hill council that runs the administration in the hills.

Meanwhile, Darjeeling Superintendent of Police Kunal Agarwal said steps were being taken so that those willing to work, could do so in Darjeeling.

He said that Central forces, after their arrival, would flag march and take up long route patrolling to instill confidence among the people in the area.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had on Wednesday ruled out division of the state and maintained that Darjeeling would remain a part of Bengal.