GJM to stage blockades at government offices

SILIGURI - The Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) leadership Tuesday said that they would carry out blockades in front of government offices in West Bengal’s Darjeeling Hills from Wednesday, to press their demand for a separate Gorkhaland state.

“It’s a decision taken by our party’s employees union. They have decided to carry out sit-in protests in front of all state and central government offices in three hill sub-divisions - Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong from Wednesday,” GJM general secretary Roshan Giri told IANS.

Meanwhile, life returned to normalcy in Darjeeling district as the GJM withdrew its shutdown Monday evening. Shops and markets were open in the hills Tuesday afternoon.

“We’re constantly keeping a watch on the whole situation. We hope that the situation will improve in the coming days,” state Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen told reporters here.

He said there were some problems reported near Kalchini even as the GJM called off its four-day strike that began in the hills Monday morning.

“If the situation does not improve, it would affect the process of tripartite talks among the centre, state and the GJM representatives,” Sen said.