Trinamul holds march in Siliguri

AVIJIT SINHA, TT, Siliguri, Aug. 9: Trinamul today organised a show of strength here with a march to communicate an unequivocal message that the party would not let the Gorkhaland movement spill over to the plains.

This is the first time that the ruling party has taken up a political activity in north Bengal against Gorkhaland since the current agitation began in the hills.

With state tourism minister Gautam Deb at the front, the procession started from Kanchenjungha stadium with anti-Gorkhaland slogans.

"Our message from today's rally is loud and clear. All efforts to breach the peace and amity in the plains would be thwarted politically," Deb said.

Anti-BJP slogans were also heard at the rally as it headed towards Airview More.

For the first time, an anti-Gorkhaland rally was allowed to move till Mallaguri More - close to Darjeeling More and at the junction of NH31 and Hill Cart - today. So far, anti-Gorkhaland marches were stopped at Airview More to prevent any breach of peace.

"The Morcha wants the agitation to spread to the plains. Saving the state from a division and keeping the plains free of trouble are two most important political targets for Trinamul and we won't budge an inch," a Trinamul insider in Calcutta said, explaining the reason for the rally.

ADDITIONAL reporting BY OUR CALCUTTA BUREAU