Separation from Bengal is my ultimate goal: Bimal Gurung

GJM will not talk to Mamata Banerjee, says party publicity secretary

The GJM, spearheading an indefinite stir for Gorkhaland, today said a final decision on the way forward for the agitation would be adopted on Friday, while hardening its stand that 'separation' of Darjeeling from West Bengal was 'the ultimate goal'.

'Gorkhaland and Bimal Gurung is synonymous. The day I leave Gorkhaland it would mean my life would end. Separation from Bengal is my ultimate goal,' Gurung wrote in a Facebook post shortly after a central committee meeting of the GJM.

He had, however, said yesterday 'I will not demand Gorkhaland. We will demand something else.'

GJM Publicity Secretary, Harka Bahadur Chetri told reporters after the meeting that opinion in writing on four points was sought from 147 organisations in the hills after which the future course of action would be decided on August 30.

The four points on which opinion was sought was whether to continue the indefinite shut down in the hills, whether schools and colleges and government offices be allowed to reopen and regarding the arrest of GJM leaders and supporters, which has crossed the 800 mark.

Chetri, who is a GJM MLA, said it would also be decided whether, he and the other two party legislators T K Dewan and Rohit Sharma, would resign from the state Assembly.

Meanwhile today, no further arrest was reported.

Chetri said that his party would not talk to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee,who has announced that she would visit Darjeeling early next month, or with the state government.