Ultimatum issued to GJM to lift the bandh

HT, Kolkata, August 10, 2013: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee issued an ultimatum to Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) on Saturday to lift the bandh in Darjeeling within the next 72 hours, or else face severe crackdown of the government. 

"If the bandh is not lifted within 72 hours, the government would clip the wings of any leader, no matter how tall is his stature. Enough is enough," said Mamata at the state secretariat on Saturday, the eighth day of the indefinite bandh. But she did not name GJM president Bimal Gurung even once during her 20 minute statement.

She also asked the centre not to interfere in the state's matter. "I request the centre not to interfere in the matters of the state. It's our matter and we would solve it. The centre is pursuing a divide and rule policy. I would request them not to try to break Bengal. This is sick mentality," she said.

Incidentally, a team of GJM leaders have rushed to new Delhi to lobby for theit demand of a separate state of Darjeeling. They have met union ministers and BJP leaders. Bimal Gurung is also hopeful of getting an audience with Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi.

"There is a small problem with telecast of satellite channels. It is a routine check-up. As soon as the cable operators show their papers, we would allow telecast again. It is a small matter," she said. The government has already snapped the entire cable network in and around Darjeeling town on Thursday evening.

"Darjeeling is our heart. It is a part and parcel of West Bengal," reiterated Mamata, making it clear that the state government would never agree to Darjeeling being sliced out of the state.

"The chairman of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration has resigned. We have accepted the resignation. Now the next man would take it up," she said.

Mamata emphasised that she would go to Darjeeling again if need be, but never bow down to the demand of a separate statehood for Darjeeling.

"There has to be a Lakshmanrekha," she said.

post jagaran, Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday gave a 72-hour ultimatum to the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) to withdraw its indefinite shutdown in the Darjeeling hills, failing which the government "will be compelled to take strong action". "I give them 72-hours to withdraw their shutdown. We have tolerated it for eight days. Enough is enough. 
I cannot tolerate that the whole state is suffering due to the political interests of a few," Banerjee told media persons. 
"If they do not withdraw the shutdown, then as per the court's order we will be compelled to take strong action just like when required, we have to take strong medicine," said Banerjee. 
Life in north Bengal's Darjeeling hills has been crippled since on Saturday after the GJM called an indefinite shutdown demanding a separate Gorkhaland.

ENS, 10 August 2013: As the indefinite shutdown called by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJMM) demanding for a separate state of Gorkhaland entered its eighth day, markets and shops continued to remain shut, with supporters for Gorkhaland shouting protest slogans.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee gives 72-hour deadline to Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) to withdraw indefinite bandh in Darjeeling or face strong action. She further added that the government is ready for talks if indefinite bandh withdrawn in Darjeeling, but no division of state.

A top GJM leader was arrested here today in connection with cases of arson and attempt to murder even as the indefinite bandh to demand for separate Gorkhaland state in Darjeeling hills entered eighth day with the hill station wearing a deserted look.

Narayan Pradhan, president of GJM Darjeeling Town Committee, was arrested early today for cases of arson, attempt to murder and other criminal cases, police said. Acting on a tip-off, he was taken into custody early in the morning from a location in Darjeeling town, taking the total number of arrests to 149 in the hills, the police said.

Meanwhile, the bandh continues to paralyse life with shortage of food reported across the hills, sources said. All shops and other commercial establishments have been closed since the beginning of the indefinite bandh. Vehicular traffic on NH-31A, the lifeline of Sikkim, was also hit, the sources said. GJM leaders and supporters gathered at the main areas and at District Magistrate's office in Darjeeling town and raised slogans asking for implementation of their demands and release of arrested leaders. Meanwhile, three local cable TV operators have been ordered yesterday to stop telecast in Darjeeling hills.

CNN-IBN | 10-Aug-2013 : Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday issued an ultimatum to Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) and gave a 72-hour deadline to withdraw their indefinite bandh. The Chief Minister said strong action will be taken against the disrupters if the bandh was not withdrawn. Normal life has been disrupted as markets and educational institutions remain closed.

She said the state government is ready for talks if indefinite bandh is withdrawn in Darjeeling, but there will be no division of the state. Mamata also quoted Calcutta High Court order that has declared the bandh unconstitutional.

She held political leaders responsible for the bandh and said, "The bandh is being forced on people because some political leaders have become unpopular in the hills and are trying to gain political mileage from the disruption."

GJM leaders also met P Chidamabaram and Rahul Gandhi to demand statehood for Gorkhaland.

The demand for smaller states has gained momentum ever since the Congress Working Commmittee has endorsed the decision of Telangana. There have been demands for statehood of Gorkhaland. 

IANS, Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday gave a 72-hour ultimatum to the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) to withdraw its indefinite shutdown in the Darjeeling hills, failing which the government "will be compelled to take strong action". 

"I give them 72-hours to withdraw their shutdown. We have tolerated it for eight days. Enough is enough. I cannot tolerate that the whole state is suffering due to the political interests of a few," Banerjee told mediapersons here." 

"If they do not withdraw the shutdown, then as per the court's order we will be compelled to take strong action just like when required, we have to take strong medicine," said Banerjee. Life in north Bengal's Darjeeling hills has been crippled since Saturday after the GJM called an indefinite shutdown demanding a separate Gorkhaland.

Economic Times, KOLKATA: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday warned stern action against the agitating Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) leadership if the indefinite bandh in Darjeeling was not withdrawn within 72 hours (Monday). "The GJM is holding bandhs in Darjeeling for the past eight days. Enough is enough. I am giving the GJM 72-hour time to lift the bandh and hold talks with our government. If the GJM refuses to withdraw their bandhs within 72 hours, our government will be forced to take stern action against them," the chief minister told reporters at Writers' Buildings on Saturday. 

"I have some constitutional obligations to abide by and the Calcutta High Court has also given a clear order to restore normalcy in Darjeeling. I will have to implement the high court's order. They (GJM) are forcing the business establishments to keep their shutters down, forcing school and government officials to keep the establishments closed. I have bear with the GJM for eight days and I though that good senses would prevail upon them and they will withdraw the bandh. But I am now sorry to say that we will take stern action if bandhs in Darjeeling is not withdrawn within 72 hours. Today is Saturday and the GJM will get time till Monday to lift the bandhs in Darjeeling. If the bandhs are not withdrawn by Monday, stern action will be taken by my government from Tuesday," the chief minister warned the agitating GJM. 

She also said that her government was ready to hold talks with the GJM only after bandhs in Darjeeling were withdrawn. "I also appeal to them (GJM) to end their bandh in the interests of common people and for the interests of the development of Darjeeling which has started after the Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) had taken charges of the Hills. I also urged the Centre not to interfere in the state's subject and allow the state government to settle the Darjeeling impasse amicably," Mamata said. 

The chief minister also said that "Independence Day will be observed throughout the nation and I urge the agitating Gorkha leaders to clear all the roads and maintain peace and normalcy before August 15. Our government will not tolerate wildcat bandhs and strikes. I have been told that the agitating GJM is distributing ration to the people of Darjeeling. I know from where they are getting the money to run a parallel rationing system." 

Without naming the GJM leader Bimal Gurung who has resigned from the post of the chief executive officer (CEO) of the GTA, the chief minister said the next responsible person should take charge of the GTA to run the ongoing development in the Hills.

TH, KOLKATA, August 10, 2013: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday served a 72-hour ultimatum to the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leadership for lifting the bandh in the Darjeeling hills, which entered its eight day on Saturday. She also asked the Centre not to pursue a divide and rule policy or to interfere in the state’s business.

Addressing a press meet at the State Secretariat, she strongly condemned the bandh as well the separatist movement, which was revived by the GJM leaders in the wake of the decision to form Telegana state.

Sending out a strong message she said: “I will not let go of Darjeeling.. it is very close to my heart. People should also know that Darjeeling has a democratically elected government as its guardian to protect the interest of its people and the region”.

Citing a recent High Court order she said she will now be “rough and tough.. Independence Day is approaching.. this ( the obstruction caused by the bandh) cannot go on.. schools will have to be reopened, offices will have to resume work development work has to go on”, she said.

Ms. Banerjee also said that the second man in the Gorkha Territorial Administration would be asked to take charge in view of the resignation tendered by its chairman.

Without taking names, she said “I appeal to the leadership to restore peace and development” saying that the state government will fulfil its Constitutional obligations. “We will be forced to take strong action”.

PTI adds:

A top GJM leader was arrested here on Saturday in connection with cases of arson and attempt to murder even as the indefinite bandh to demand for separate Gorkhaland state in Darjeeling hills entered eighth day with the hill station wearing a deserted look.

Narayan Pradhan, president of GJM Darjeeling Town Committee, was arrested early Saturday for cases of arson, attempt to murder and other criminal cases, police said.

Acting on a tip-off, he was taken into custody early in the morning from a location in Darjeeling town, taking the total number of arrests to 149 in the hills, the police said.

Meanwhile, the bandh continues to paralyse life with shortage of food reported across the hills.

All shops and other commercial establishments have been closed since the beginning of the indefinite bandh.

Vehicular traffic on NH-31A, the lifeline of Sikkim, was also hit.