Gorkhaland movement intensified - Bimal Gurung resigned, Indefinite strike in the Darjeeling

IANS,  DARJEELING, JULY 30, 2013: Gorkhaland movement intensified after the formation of 29th Indian state Telangana. 

Hours after the UPA and the Congress Working Committee endorsed statehood for Telangana, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) announced an indefinite strike in the Darjeeling Hills from Saturday to press for its Gorkhaland demand. 

"He (Gurung) today (Tuesday) faxed his resignation to the governor (M.K. Narayanan)," said GJM general secretary Roshan Giri. 
With the hills already paralysed following a 72-hour shutdown called by his party since Monday, Giri said an indefinite shutdown will be organised from Saturday to raise the pitch for Gorkahland. 

"We will go for indefinite shutdowns and our movement will not stop until our demand for Gorkhaland is met. We have already advised students to leave the hills and go to the plains," he said. 

"Once the present 72-hour shutdown ends on Wednesday, we will give a two-day respite to the people to stock provisions and the tourists and the students to leave. The indefinite shutdown will begin Saturday," he said. 

"We have called an emergency meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) where we will chalk out our strategy. The other GTA members will also resign soon," he said. 

"The UPA has allowed the formation of Telengana. Now we are left with no choice but to intensify our movement for Gorkhaland. Our demand for a separate state is far more older than Telangana," Giri said. 

The Gorkhaland movement has left many dead over the past two decades besides affecting the region's economy based on tea, timber and tourism. 

On July 18, 2011, a tripartite agreement was signed between the GJM and the state and central governments for setting up the (GTA, armed with more powers than its predecessor -- the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council forme in the late 1980s. 

The GJM now runs the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration after sweeping its maiden elections held in July 2012. The Trinamool had pulled out of the polls.

KalimNews: Bimal Gurung in his resignation letter addressed to his excellency the Governor of West Bengal has stated "I do herby tender my resignation from the post of Chief Executive of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration with effect from 30th July 2013 from 8 pm onwards. My resignation is on the demand for the formation of Gorkhaland state within the framework of the Indian constitution and interference of West Bengal Government in the day to day functioning of GTA which has made GTA a total failure. The resignation may be kindly accepted "

In his social networking page he states "Its is a sad for Gorkhaland as the Telangana Issue has been considered by The Central Government. Our issue was not even discussed by the CWC in Delhi.

I am resigning from the post of Chief Executive of GTA and will lead the agitation for Gorkhaland.

There will be 2 days relaxation from Thursday and Friday. There will be more strikes from Saturday. All schools and College students staying in the hostel should be taken home immediately. Education and Tourist will be hampered for Gorkhaland."

"I resign as a Chief Executive from GTA. Today is a very sad day that Gorkhaland did not even appear in the CWC meeting. I resign from GTA for Gorkhaland."

"I I just faxed my resignation letter from GTA to MK, Naraynan, Governor of West Bengal. For Gorkhaland I can sacrifice my life. People must be ready to sacrifice something for Gorkhaland. The Telengana issue will take 4-5 months to be formed formally. We cannot rest until we get Gorkhaland. The next 5 months are crucial for us. We will put more pressure on the Government."