GJM threatens to intensify Gorkhaland stir with fasts, 'self-sacrifice'

Urging the Central government to start a dialogue about a separate Gorkhaland state to be carved out of northern West Bengal hills, a section of GJM leadership on Monday vowed to intensify their agitation though actions like "self-sacrifice" and fasting till death.

"The Central government should immediately start dialog about the separate state of Gorkhaland," Prakash Gurung, President of the Gorkha Janmukti Yuva Morcha (GJYM), the youth wing of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, told reporters here.

"We will intensify our agitation for Gorkhaland by taking the path of self-sacrifice and fasting till death from now on," he said.

Accusing the Central and state governments of staying mum on the death of three GJM activists in a clash with security forces in Singmari area here, Gurung said there would be symbolic protest against the role of state government in handling the situation.

"Three of our brothers were martyred in the Gorkhalannd movement but the state government and Central government is silent about it. The one point agenda of our agitation is Gorkhaland.

"We will do a symbolic protest by burning the GTA documents at various places in the hills and the Dooars region tomorrow (On Tuesday). We will also burn the documents at the Pintel village in Darjeeling where the GTA agreement took place," he added.

Meanwhile, the security personnel and senior officers of West Bengal police route marched in Darjeeling to oversee the law and order situation.

A police convoy led by IPS officer Siddhinath Gupta, marched from Chowk Bazar to the district magistrate's office in Darjeeling. The team also went to Singmari police outpost where the massive clash between the security forces and Morcha activist had taken place on July 17.

Morcha's announcement of intensifying the agitation came on the 12th day of GJM sponsored indefinite shutdown in the north Bengal hills. The shutdown was partially relaxed for 12 hours on Monday on occasion of Eid and the public vehicles were allowed ply on the streets of Darjeeling.

--IANS

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