GJMM launches hunger-strike

SILIGURI, June 2: The Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha, which launched a hunger strike at Naxlabari this morning over permission for holding a public meeting there, has decided to extend the agitation to Bagdogra tomorrow.  According to the GJMM general secretary, Mr Roshan Giri, 11 of his party cadres would join the fast-unto-death agitation near the Bagdogra police investigation centre tomorrow.

“Our cadres are already on hunger-strike at Naxalbari since this morning. But so far the administration has shown no sign of conceding to our democratic demand hence we have decided to extend the fast to Bagdogra from tomorrow,” Mr Giri said.

11 male GJMM cadres initiated the fasting agitation from 11 a.m. today at the Naxalbari BDO office premises. The agitation is so far continuing peacefully. Local GJMM leaders informed that another batch of party cadres would join the fast tomorrow.

“We first sought permission to hold a public meeting at Naxalbari on 25 May, but the administration turned it down. The meeting was rescheduled to 1 June only to meet denial again.

Now we are demanding permission to hold the meeting on 8 June and until the administration concedes the hunger strike will continue,” said Mr Durga Pradhan, convener of the GJMM’s Naxlabri block unit.

Mr Pradhan clarified that the GJMM wants to hold the public meeting at the Sahid Birsa Munda Adivasi Ground, Naxalbari and would not accept any alternative that the administration was suggesting.

Contacted over the issue, the SDO of Siliguri, Mrs Smita Pandey said that she was in touch with the higher authorities to work out a solution to the stalemate.  “Permission has been denied by the authorities at the Writers’ Building and we have convened the higher authorities of the GJMM fast. The state authorities would work a way out soon,” Mrs Pandey said. [The Statesman]