GJM to go for 'intense' agitation from Oct 20, hints at 'revolution': CPRM questions GJM on agitation in Darjeeling

ENS, Kolkata, September 18 2013: Even though, the strike has been withdrawn and the hills returned to normalcy, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) president Bimal Gurung Tuesday hinted at reviving the movement, which might take the shape of a "revolution". 

In a public meeting, Gurung threatened to go for an intense agitation on their demand for creation of a separate statehood after October 20. 

Gurung said people would decide in what path they want to continue with the movement. In a Facebook post, Gurung said, "The people of Gorkhaland must be ready for an intense agitation from October 20. The Gorkhaland movement cannot be wiped out by force. Gorkhaland is our "Constitutional" right and we will achieve it." 

Reacting to the announcement made by Gurung, north Bengal minister Gautam Deb said, "The movement has to be democratic. The government will not tolerate any undemocratic movement. Gurung is an elective member and he should take responsibility to maintain the democratic path." 

Gurung also announced that he would hold a meeting with students from class IX to class XII on September 19. 

The Gorkhaland Joint Action Committee on September 10 decided to relax the agitation in the hills till October 20, following assurance by the Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde to hold a tripartite talk involving the GJM, the state and the central government. Gurung said both the Centre and the state has not paid any heed to the democratic agitation in the hills.

"We will not go for bilateral talks but would go for tripartite talks. We also understand that the Gorkhaland issue can be solved only through dialogue," he added. Gurung in his Fb post further added that the Centre and the State "must respect the democratic agitation done by the people of the Hills and Dooars for Gorkhaland". 

PTI,  19 Sept: Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxist (CPRM) Wednesday took exception to the GJM unilaterally announcing fresh agitation in Darjeeling hills for 'Gorkhaland' next month, and said the matter should have been discussed with the GJAC. 

"Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) chief Bimal Gurung should have made known his decision before the Gorkhaland Joint Action Committee (GJAC) as GJM is a part of GJAC," CPRM spokesman Govind Chettri said. 

"Disputes are bound to arise in the panel if constituents like CPRM are not consulted before making such decisions," he said.