Indefinite strike withdrawn from 27 September- Bimal Gurung announced end of strike after 104 days

KalimNews, 26 September 2017, Kalimpong: On the 104th day of the indefinite strike called by Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), Bimal Gurung, GJM Chief announced its withdrawal. From an undisclosed hideout Bimal Gurung announced that the strike will end at 6 am of 27th September .

Gurung mentioned that the strike is withdrawn on the request of the Home Minister Rajnath Singh who had appealed to the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) to withdraw the strike in Darjeeling hills demanding a separate state of Gorkhaland and also had asked the Union home secretary to convene an official-level meeting to discuss all related issues.

A press release of PIB stated, "I appeal to the GJM and its leader Bimal Gurung to withdraw the ongoing bandh and to help create a conducive atmosphere for allowing normalcy to return to the area, particularly in view of the festival season," 

As stated in the release the Union Home Secretary will convene a meeting within a fortnight to discuss all related issues.

The indefinite strike was started from 15th June. Binay Tamang ousted leader of GJM who claimed to be still in GJM and his suspension from the party is illegal, had announced suspension of the bandh from 11 September, but could not be materialised due to intervention of Pro Bimal Gurung and strike supporters.

Binay Tamang and Anit Thapa were appointed and joined as chairman and vice chairman of the GTA to be run by a board of administrator from 25th September 2017.

The ban on internet imposed since 18th June was lifted from the midnight of 25th-26th September. Restriction on the broadcasting of local channels in the local cable tv started from the 9th June is still not lifted. ABN News Network a Nepali Tv channel was sealed on 22 July for promoting enmity between two groups. 

People hope to run normal life after being crippled by the strike since 104 days.