Roshan Giri to appear in apex court on September 16

Deep Gazmer, TNN | Sep 9, 2013,DARJEELING: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) party is sticking to its guns that the ongoing agitation was democratic and not violating any laws, even as the Hills party will appear before the Supreme Court on September 16 for a hearing on a petition. 

The party's general secretary Roshan Giri on September 3 had filed a special leave petition (SPL) in the apex court against the Calcutta high court orders issued on August 7 and 14, terming GJM strike and "ghar bhitra janta" (people inside their homes) in the Hills illegal. 

The petition against GJM was filed by Rama Prakash Sharma in the Calcutta high court against the strike called by the Hills party. 

"Strike is not illegal and is a democratic right of the people to voice their demands. A peaceful and democratic movement is in progress in the Hills for a legitimate demand of a separate state," asserted Giri on Sunday evening at the party office in Darjeeling. 

The state government was forced to act upon the high court orders and started mass arrest of GJM activists and leaders including Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) elected members. 

Police have arrested more than 2000 GJM supporters and leaders since July 29. 

According to the high court ruling, any form of protest or strike could not be implemented through the use of force. "In our petition filed by K V Srikumar, the advocate on record, it is mentioned that we have not used coercion and that emergency services and the tea gardens were kept outside the purview of the bandh. The ongoing agitation is with the active participation and support of the Hills people," Giri pointed out. 

The GJM general secretary on behalf of the party will have to appear in the Supreme Court for the next hearing on September 16. 

Similarly, GJM had also filed another SLP in the high court against the state government allegation and demand for reimbursement of losses to the tune of Rs 70 crore incurred due to damage of government properties during the ongoing agitation. 

On the directive of the high court to ensure no inconvenience was caused to the general public, the state government was directed to take adequate measures and was given a 72 hours deadline.

(Source & courtesy: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Roshan-Giri-to-appear-in-apex-court-on-September-16/articleshow/22426132.cms)

Demand for Gurung's arrest: 

SNS: The All India Namasudra Vikas Parishad called a 12-hour general strike in Siliguri on 10 September demanding arrest of GJMM chief, Mr Bimal Gurung.