Bimal threatens to intensify stir if Centre keeps mum

SNS, SILIGUIRI, 25 September 2017: Chief of the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM) Bimal Gurung today said he would wait until Wednesday or a word from the Central government, after which his party would hold discussions and plan on intensifying the ongoing Gorkhaland agitation.

"Our party has given home minister Rajnath Singh until 27 Sepptember to act. Leaders would then sit for discussions on 28-29 September and chart our future course of action." the GJMM chief said in a telephonic conversation.

He also denied his party's hand in the violence that erupted in the 'Hills yesterday and the torching of two vehicles in Darjeeling and Sonada. 'Binay Tamang and Anit Thapa are doing all this and blaming us.They will do this in the days to come too, and lay all the blame on us, just to weaken us," he said, referring to the two rebel patty leaders.

On Mr Tamang assuming charge as the chairman of the Gorkhaland Territorial administration (GTA) board of administrators, Mr Gurung said the rebel leader was the "first person" to torch the GTA Act/ agreement at the Motor Stand in Darjeeling town ." What Binay did was a big betrayal. He will surely reap what he has sowed when the time is right," he said.

On his claims that the union home minister was sending a missive to the GJMM with some assurances, Mr Gurung said that his party has given the home minister until Wednesday to act, "failing which our party will intensify the agitation."

He said Mr Singh will most likely write an official letter to the GJMM, saying that the Centre would initiate tripartite talks to settle the protracted Hill stalmate."If this happens, it will open doors for us to take up our Gorkhaland issue with the government," he said.

He Further said that the indefinite shutdown would continue until some positive assurance comes From the Centre, `despite efforts from some quarters to open shops in towns in the Hills."

It may be mentioned here that Mr Gurung had earlier said that he had been expecting the letter from the home minister by Saturday last, and that he would decide on whether to call off the strike that has crossed the 100-day mark.