GL-numberplates in Darjeeling

FROM PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Siliguri, Jul 7 (PTI) As part of its professed non-violent movement for a separate Gorkhaland, vehicles of central committee members of the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) began plying in Darjeeling hills from today with GL-affixed numberplates.

“Forty vehicles belonging to the party workers and leaders now bore GL numberplates,” GJM general secretary Roshan Giri told PTI over phone from Darjeeling.

The numbers of vehicles remained the same with only WB replaced by GL, he said.

In the second phase, the numberplates of all government vehicles would be changed and in third and final phase that of all public vehicles, he said.

Superintendent of Police, Darjeeling, Rahul Srivastava told PTI that Home Secretary Ashok Mohan Chakraborty during a recent visit here had said the GL numberplates were illegal and police would take steps against it.

Meanwhile, Hill Employees and Workers’ Trade Union president Amar Rai said all employees of both the state and central government would donate one day’s salary for three months which would be handed over to GJM president, Bimal Gurung in September end.

Rai claimed the employees felt that they had the moral responsibility to help the statehood demand and had agreed to donate the money spontaneously.

Another faction of the union led by Vim Thapa also passed the same resolution. PTI UBR pd PC RAP 07071546 DEL