Gorkha group ends 96-hour shutdown; fast continues

New Delhi: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GMJ) sponsored 96-hour bandh in demand of a separate Gorkhaland state, will be called off after 1800 hours (IST) on Monday.

The 96-hour shutdown was called in the Darjeeling Hills on Monday by in demand for Gorkhaland even as the indefinite hunger strike for the same cause has entered its fourth day.

Two activists participating in the fast unto death have been hospitalised.

The bandh and fast come ahead of the fourth round of talks between the Centre, the State Government and the GJM leadership scheduled in December in Darjeeling.

GJM General Secretary Roshan Giri has said that the Gorkhaland land movement is much older than the Telangana agitation and the two are beyond comparison.

“The Government has to consider the denmand. It’s an old demand. Gorkhaland is the only way out...we don’t want to be part of Bengal. We are living in harsh conditions, a colonial domination is here. We can’t be compared to the rest of Bengal...so unless Darjeeling is separated, we appeal to the Government to pay attention to our demands and do justice.. that’s the only way out. We are not against talks but it should be only concentrated on the demands of Gorkhaland.” said Giri.

Convener, Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (Central Committee) Sankar Adhikary said, "Everyone amongst us knows that Bengal Government is not with us. We want to raise our voices to Central Government. If Telengana can receive a separate state bill, then Gorkhaland revolution is even older than that. Why can't we receive a bill? We will continue with our strike and if we die, we will die here only. The state and Central Government would be answerable for it."

Meanwhile, BJP’s Rajiv Pratap Rudy said, “BJP will keep raising the issue of Gorkhaland in the parliament. We will keep on supporting it. Gorkhaland is the oldest demand.

On the Telngana issue, he said, “Congress has landed on its own created mess. We hope they come out of it.

Meanwhile, the entire Gorkhaland shutdown has caused a complete disruption of the traffic between the adjoining areas of Sikkim and Bengal.