GJM organises protest rally

EOI, DARJEELING, 4 Jun 2017: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha party today organized a protest rally against the forceful imposition of Bengali language in the hills which was led by party president Bimal Gurung.

The rally started off from Ghoom 8 km away and was attended by GJM’s frontal organizations, student and youth wings and members of the society. The protestors carried anti-state government placards. They also carried black flags and wore black arm and head bands shouting slogans against implementation of Bengali as a compulsory language in the hill schools.

The rally culminated in Chowk Bazar where a public meeting was held.

Speaking against the Bengal government, GJM general secretary Roshan Giri said, “We will not accept any forceful impositions. If it was optional we could have considered it as Bengali is presently taught in various schools. We will continue our protest rally till the government takes back its decision”.

During the public meeting, a road side drama was also organized by members of the GJM party which showed the Bengal government’s highhandedness. Similar rallies were also organized in Kurseong, Mirik sub-division and Kalimpong district.

In Mirik, the rally was led by GJM assistant general secretary Binay Tamang. The GJM leader said as a symbolic mark of protest, people would have to switch of their electricity tomorrow for two hours from 6 to 8 pm.

On Monday, the GJM will organize the protest rally from Singamari to Chowk Bazar after doing the rounds of the town areas. Similarly on Tuesday another rally will be held from Bhanu Bhawan (Gorkha Ranga Manch Bhawan) to Chowk Bazar.

The GJM had asked educational institutions to remain close in June 1 and 2 in the entire hills to protest the imposition of the Bengal government which was a success.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee will arrive in Mirik on Monday where she is expected to announce development projects for the area. On Tuesday she will come up to Darjeeling and hold a state cabinet meeting on June 8 after which she will head back to Kolkata, the following day.