GJM evades Feb 20-21 bandh, Gurung receives Soniya’s letter

Darjeeling Feb 18: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) after calling for a series of bandhs in the hills coming March has decided to keep the hills normal and unparalysed during the February 20-21 all India strike called by a conglomerate of 11 central trade unions.

“Since we are busy with the schedules for the third round of Gorkhaland agitation we will not support the strike on February 20-21. We do support the demand of the central trade union though,” said Suraj Subba, the general secretary of the Morcha affiliated Darjeeling Terai Dooars Plantation Labour Union (DTDPLU).

The central trade unions have called the strike in protest against the economic policies of the UPA government like FDI in retail etc, social welfare for
labourers and a minimum monthly wage of Rs 10,000.

From tomorrow the party is expected to start torch rallies in the three hill subdivisions in a bid to demand formation of Gorkhaland. The Morcha has decided to exempt the board examination of the college and school students during the series of bandh on 14, 15, 21 and 22 next month.

Meanwhile, the GJM president Bimal Gurung received a letter from UPA president stating that the demand for Gorkhaland has been noted that makes the party to feel that it is a positive indication. “When the president of the congress writes a letter, it is always a positive indication,” said Trilok Dewan, the Darjeeling MLA.

Morcha general secretary Roshan Giri however confirmed that the letter was received today. The letter reads, “I have received you letter dated January 21, 2013 and I have noted all the content on the demand”.

The party had on January 21 faxed a memorandum regarding creation of Gorkhaland to the  President, Prime Minister, Union home Minister, UPA,
leader of the Opposition, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha leaders, All India
Congress Committee and leaders of the BJP party seeking support for the formation of a separate state of Gorkhaland along with Telangana.