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GJM stir warms up situation

Kurseong, Jan. 15 :The political situation in the Darjeeling Hills is showing signs of warming up with the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha’s (GJM) renewed agitation against the proposed Sixth Schedule status and in support of a separate state. The GJM has assured to keep the movement non-violent, but make its point by forcing to shut down all the Central and the state government offices in the Darjeeling Hills. The move was initiated yesterday amidst the deployment of additional security forces by the district administration.

Shutdown spontaneous

Darjeeling, Jan. 15: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha did not have to organise picketing in town today as the shutdown in most government offices on the second day of the agitation was almost spontaneous, reports our correspondent.

“We laid siege to a few places like the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. The rest of the state and central government offices remained closed throughout the day,” said Roshan Giri, the general secretary of the Morcha.

However, with banks shut since yesterday, the common man is at a loss. In fact, even the ATM machines are currently closed.

The Morcha today claimed that a lot of people from the constituency of Dawa Pakhrin, the GNLF’s Kalimpong branch committee president, have switched allegiance.

CK widow criticises ‘ungrateful’ GNLF

Kalimpong, Jan. 15: The widow of C.K. Pradhan, has condemned the Kalimpong branch committee of the GNLF for trying to lay claim to the murdered leader’s legacy after ignoring him for more than five years.

“All these years, they didn’t bother to remember him and now they have the audacity to claim his legacy? I never thought they could stoop so low,” said Shila Pradhan.

Dawa Pakhrin, the president of the Kalimpong branch committee of the GNLF, had said yesterday that his party would revive the Gorkhaland demand with the blessing of C.K. “In that case, why didn’t they support him when he left the GNLF over the very issue of Gorkhaland?” Shila asked.

Pedong turns to GJM

Darjeeling, Jan. 15: A group of almost 500 people for the village of Pedong near Kalimpong headed by the Gram Pradhan yesterday, meet Gorkha Janmukti Morcha President Bimal Gurung at his office in Patlebas, Singamari to extend their support.