2 days relaxation from tomorrow and indefinite strike from 3rd August

KalimNews, Kalimpong, 31 July 2013: GJM central committee meeting held today in Darjeeling declared that indefinite general strike will come into effect from 3rd August 2013.
It also confirmed the relaxation for 2 days on 1st and 2nd August for the preparation of next phase of indefinite strike to commence from 3rd August. 
However all offices will continue the strike on the 1st and 2nd August too. But, banks and post offices will remain open during these two days. 
The meeting also decided to keep all the tea gardens and cinchona plantations open during the general indefinite strike starting from 3rd August. 

Meanwhile, GJM will send a 6 member delegation to meet the central ministers on 2nd August. The team to be led by GJM Roshan Giri, General Secretary of the party and will comprise of the three MLAs, Dr H.B.Chhetri, Dr. Rohit Sharma, Trilok Dewan and Amar singh Rai and D.K.Pradhan.

The meeting also approved the resignation of the GTA chief executive and agreed upon that for the present GTA Sabhasads will not tender their resignation but on the call of the GJM President Bimal Gurung they will resign from their post of Sabhasad at any time. 
On the other hand anti Gorkhaland parties are observing 2 days strike in Siliguri Terai and Dooars on 1st and 2nd August. The call of the strike by Rashtriya Shiv Sena is supported by many such outfits.

Bimal Gurung the GJM president in his Facebook social network site stated that "there will be an indefinite strike from Saturday and I want all school children staying in the hostel to go home. Darjeeling will also be closed for tourists during the indefinite strike." 

"Many will question the decision on the shutdown of educational institutions and tourism! Yes it is a harsh decision but something that was inevitable. Darjeeling, famous for certain “T’s which include “teaching and “tourism” can make a dent in any movement if affected. The decision to tell the students to go home is because I care for the children staying in the hostel and I am worried that there won't be ration for the children. I don't want them to starve during the indefinite strike", says Gurung.

He further says, "the tourists also will have to miss Darjeeling the next tourist season as there might be problems for them if there are stuck in Darjeeling during the indefinite strike. We feel that both the centre and the state will awake if these are shut down." 

"For the state Darjeeling is simply a place where their officers can come and relax. For West Bengal it is simply a “crown” that can be talked about."

He asks, "Does the Government really care? Is it really and genuinely concerned?"

"We have seen this attitude of the previous Governments and the present one is no less! We have always questioned the sincerity of the Centre. All these years we have been made pawns! The time has come for the Centre to take a positive decision on our demand. We have no grudge against Telengana."

"Our sentiments are hurt as we have been denied justice despite our movement being peaceful, democratic and Gandhian and will continue to be so. Telengana was violent. Do we need to follow this path to achieve our goal? I am also indebted to Mayawati Madam who has supported the demand for separate state hood for Gorkhaland in Bengal.