2 days relief in strike, 62 more arrested

ENS and KalimNews: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) has relaxed  its bandh, called in support of a separate Gorkhaland in the hills, for two days (on September 9 and 10) and decide the nature of its future agitation in a meeting it has called on September 10. 

The outfit's central committee met today followed by another meeting of the Gorkhaland State Joint Action Committee (GSJAC). GSJAC chairman Enos Das Pradhan said, "The strike is being lifted for two days  so that students can return to school and buy necessary things." 

He added: "We will again meet September 10 and decide our future course of action after reports from the delegation that is in Delhi and has held a meeting with Union Home Minister (Sushilkumar Shinde)." 

Pradhan said the meeting also condemned the Pradesh Congress Committee for suspending party president in Darjeeling K B Chhetri for joining the delegation that met union the home minister. Significantly, a GJM delegation held a meeting with Shinde two days ago. 

Shinde is said to have advised the delegation to withdraw the strike after which the central government would arrange for a tripartite meeting. 

KalimNews: During these two days all banks, post offices and shops and business establishments will remain open but the govt. offices will remain shut. 

During the last two days Police has arrested 62 GJM supporters. It had suspended arrest for the last one week but since yesterday it had started arresting GJM supporters.

Meanwhile GJAC and GJM is expecting a date within 10th September for the first tripartite meeting to discuss on the ongoing agitation.