Despite Bimal Call, picketers stay off roads .... National Gorkhaland Committee formed with eminent personalities

SNS, DARJEELING, 5 SEPTEMBER 2017: Despite a call made by Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM) chief Bimal Gurung, no picketing was seen in areas under Darjeeling and Kurseong today. Mr Gurung had yesterday appealed to Gorkhaland supporters to intensify picketing and foil efforts to open shops and other institutions in the Hills that are reeling under a protracted shutdown for more than three months now. Shops and other establishments, however, remained closed today.

Street hawkers selling their wares were, however, increased in number in Darjeeling with some vehicles also plying the roads.

The district administration used loudspeakers in Darjeeling, requesting people to open their shops and send their children to school.Also seen were unsigned posters in the town area maintaining that they did not want a leader who was hiding and creating problems for the people. The Darjeeling Municipality also opened today, with many employees attending office, except the elected ones.

However, employees of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) who had joined office yesterday, today decided not to attend offices again, saying that they condemned the order that would give them a month's salary in advance.

At Sonada, a rally was held today with people who were getting ready for picketing on the roads were dispersed by police.

Meanwhile, in Delhi, a national level committee, named the National Gorkhaland Committee, was formed yesterday, comprising of eminent personalities. People like Munish Tamang. Sukman Moktan, Mahendra P Lama and Trilok Dewan will be part of the committee with more to join in the coming days.

"The committee has people with different expertise and has been formed to intensify the Gorkhaland movement and make it more extensive. We want to see what more can be done for the movement. Mass support is already there for the statehood demand and now we have to think of ways to channelise the support, said NGC committee convenor Munish Tamang over phone from Delhi.

GJMM boss Bimal Curung, however, explained that the picketers stayed away from the roads due to police pressure.

Meanwhile, in a significant political development, several GJMM activists joined the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) at Tindharia near Kurseong today.

GNLF general secretary Mahendra Chhetri claimed that 150 GJM activists joined his party out of frustration due to the directionless Gorkha land movement." Mr Chhetri also claimed that the GNLF leadership has asked tea planters to pay Puja bonus among tea workers before the festival begins. "If the planters do not pay bonus before the Pujas, the GNLF would launch a stir," Mr Chhetri said.

GNLF leaders also appealed to the people to bring normality back so that common people can lead their normal life.

Notably, the state government is also taking the Puja bonus issue for tea workers in the top level. Sources said the ruling political party leaders in the state are of the view that tea workers will resume their duties even during the ongoing agitation if the management pays them the Puja bonus.