Darjeeling stares at govt, GJM face-off over Gorkhaland demand

Bimal Gurung has resigned as chief executive of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration to enable himself to lead agitation for Gorkhaland

With the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) resuming agitation to press for a separate Gorkhaland, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee today ruled out any possibility of bifurcation of the state, slamming the Centre for "encouraging separatists" with Telangana decision.

"Darjeeling's brothers and sisters are our brothers and sisters. We were united, we are united and we will remain united. It is the Centre, which is encouraging separatists.  I am shocked that for mere political purpose they are doing all this," Banerjee said.

Meanwhile, Bimal Gurung, president of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) has  resigned as chief executive of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) to enable himself to lead the agitation for Gorkhaland. While Banerjee said, the government has accepted the resignation of Gurung, she added, "We will not dissolve GTA."

GTA was formed in July last year with a tripartite agreement between the West Bengal government, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) and the Centre putting a temporary end to the GJM's agitation over separate statehood demand. GTA replaced the erstwhile Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) with more autonomy in administrative, financial and executive powers. However, with the Centre moving ahead towards creation of separate state of Telangana, GJM has decided to resume the agitation. While, Darjeeling is observing a three-day shut down since Monday, GJM has threatened to resort to indefinite shut-down.

"We will go for indefinite shutdowns and our movement will not stop until our demand for Gorkhaland is met. We have already advised students to leave the hills and go to the plains," GJM general secretary Roshan Giri said.

"Once the present 72-hour shutdown ends on Wednesday, we will give a two-day respite to the people to stock provisions and the tourists and the students to leave. The indefinite shutdown will begin Saturday," he said.  The state government has sought Centre's help to tackle the situation.

"We will not tolerate any violence. While the Centre is instigating at one hand, I should remind them it their responsibility too maintain peace," chief minister said. The state government is understtod to have written to Home Ministry seeking central forces to tackle the situation.

As the business activity in the region, especially the tea industry, is likely to get affected due to the anticipated agitations in the hills,

The Consultative Committee of Plantation Associations (CCPA) --- an apex body of Tea Producer Associations in India --- has appealed to GJM to exempt operations of the tea industry and transportation of tea and inputs for tea estates from the purview of any further shut-down.