Gorkhaland movement has no connections with Maoists: Bimal Gurung

Pramod Giri, HT, Jul 31, 2017, Darjeeling: Gurung said that the ongoing agitation by hill-based parties was totally peaceful and democratic.

Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) president Bimal Gurung refuted allegations made by West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee that Maoists were actively involved with the agitation for separate Gorkhaland.

Speaking to reporters in Darjeeling on Monday, Gurung said the ongoing agitation by the hill-based parties was totally peaceful and democratic. “The agitators are not using any kind of weapon,” he said.

“Allegations that the Gorkhaland movement has the support of the Maoists are baseless,” Gurung said and asked the chief minister to furnish proof. “The Union government should also ask the state government to furnish evidences in support of the allegations.”

Gurung’s comments coincide with Mamata’s two-day visit to North Bengal. The chief minister arrived in Siliguri on Monday evening and is scheduled to address a Trinamool Congress rally and chair an administrative meeting in North Dinajpur district on Tuesday.

Gurung assured that the agitators will not use any kind of weapon in the movement.

Incidentally, the crucial meeting of Gorkhaland Movement Coordination Committee (GMCC) is scheduled in New Delhi for Tuesday.

GMCC a joint platform of 15 political parties and non-political organisations, was formed on June 29 to spearhead the Gorkhaland movement.

Gurung said that the bandh, which entered its 46th day, was called by the people and would continue.

So far, eight Gorkhaland supporters have died in police firing in Darjeeling hills. Normal life has been completely paralysed. Opposition parties in Bengal want the Centre to intervene and call for a tri-partite meeting to defuse the crisis.

However, there has been lukewarm response from the Union government on this matter. Properties worth crores of rupees have been destroyed as the movement is rapidly turning leaderless as leaders of various parties in the GMCC have been stating that they have no control over the agitating people.