Asok asks state govt to release GJMM leaders

SNS, Siliguri, 19 August 2013: The former state urban development minister and senior CPI-M leader, Mr Asok Bhattacharya, today asked the state government to release the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM) leaders and activists who have recently been arrested in connection with the old cases immediately on bail. 

“We strongly condemn the way the police are arresting the GJMM activists. Even the elected Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) members are not being spared. Around 600 GJMM activists, including a number of GTA members, have so far been arrested,” Mr Bhattacharya said. 

“This indiscriminate arrest spree has revived the memory of the black days under the Emergency. The state government should release those arrested at least on bail,” Mr Bhattacharya further said. Citing a clause in the GTA agreement that provides for withdrawal of all the cases slapped against the GJMM excepting those related to murders, the Marxist leader said the police are arresting them on the basis of the old cases. 

“This signifies flagrant violation of the tripartite agreement,” he added. Mr Bhattacharya further said the GTA members should be given a free hand to select the next chief executive in tandem with the rules as laid down in the agreement. 

He asked the GJMM to refrain from calling bandhs, blockade or janata curfew. 

He suggested the Governor, Mr M K Narayanan calls both the GJMM and the state government to a dialogue to resolve the stalemate. 
(Source & Courtesy: http://www.thestatesman.net/news/11001-asok-asks-state-govt-to-release-gjmm-leaders.html)