Gorkhaland stir: Rajnath welcomes withdrawal of hunger strike

Home Minister Rajnath Singh today welcomed the decision of the Gorkhaland statehood movement leaders to call off their hunger strike demanding a separate state in Darjeeling.
Singh said by withdrawing the hunger strike on the eve of Independence Day, the leaders have shown "nationalist approach, political maturity & wisdom".
The Gorkhaland Movement Coordination Committee (GMCC), an umbrella organisation of all the hill parties led by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), is spearheading the statehood agitation in the hills.
"I wholeheartedly appreciate the decision taken by GJM president Shri Bimal Gurung & the GMCC to call off their indefinite hunger strike," he said in a tweet.

The decision came a day after the leaders met the home minister to apprise him of their demands.
Singh had yesterday appealed to them to withdraw their indefinite hunger strike and agitation, which has been going on for two months.
He also urged West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to initiate dialogue with the movement leaders.