If Telangana is created, so should be Gorkhaland, says GJM

Says the three-day bandh in Darjeeling would be extended indefinitely till the Centre acceded to the demand

With a three-day bandh beginning in Darjeeling today, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha chief Bimal Gurung said if the Centre announced a Telengana state then it should also declare one for Gorkhaland.

'Our demand for Gorkhaland is older than the demand for Telengana. If the Centre announces a Telengana state then it should also declare a Gorkhaland state,' Gurung told a press conference here.

The GJM president said that the bandh would be extended indefinitely till the Centre acceded to the demand.

He also said that he would resign as Chief Executive of the Gorkha Territorial Administration, which runs the administration in the hills.

'I have some pending work. After I finish it, I will resign as Chief Executive of the GTA in two or three days,' Gurung said.

He alleged that the West Bengal government did not cooperate with him and GTA members for its smooth running.

Gurung asked the people of Darjeeling to be prepared for a long agitation till Gorkhaland was achieved.

'This 72-hour bandh is just a beginning of a long agitation. Be prepared for more such bandhs,' he said.

Meanwhile, ten GJM supporters were arrested for allegedly burning a motorcycle and a car at Rambi on the National Highway 31, which connects Sikkim with West Bengal, police said.

There is a Supreme Court directive that the highway has to be kept free during bandhs and blockades in the hills.

Darjeeling town wore a deserted look with traffic off the roads and markets and offices closed.

Around thousand GJM supporters were picketing at Chowkbazar with party flags, while large gatherings of party activists were also reported from Jorbungalow, Mirik, Sukhiapokhri, 9th Mile and 26th mile.

Roads were barricaded by the GJM supporters in the Kalimpong and Kurseong subdivisions.

Some foreign tourists still remained in the hills, while around 2,000 domestic ones left yesterday, police said.

Superintendent of Police Kunal Agarwal said that stringent action would be taken for destruction of government property and that the police would ensure that the NH 31 remained opened.

District Magistrate Soumitra Mohan also said that strong steps would be taken in case of breakdown of law and order.