GJM ‘deadline’ to Centre expires

Darjeeling: The situation in Darjeeling, where the indefinite shutdown entered its 55th day on Tuesday, was tense as the 10-day “deadline” given to the Centre by the GJM to intervene in resolving the crisis in the Hills, expired on Tuesday evening.

The GJM will intensify its agitation for a separate state of Gorkhaland if the Centre does not take any step within the deadline, which ends at 6 pm, the party’s leaders said. Special arrangements were made by the police and security personnel, who are keeping a tight vigil in order to avoid any untoward incident here.

A police contingent was seen marching towards Singhmari area, where the headquarters of the GJM is located and went up to Patlebas, a stronghold of the party’s supremo Bimal Gurung. The two places had witnessed several incidents of violence between activists of the GJM, which is spearheading the agitation, and the police in the past two months.

Meanwhile, condition of seven GJM Yuva Morcha members among the 12 on an indefinite hunger strike since July 27, is critical. Block medical officer S. Patro said that the health condition of three protesters at Mirik was grave as their pulse and heartbeats had become low.

The condition of another protester Ajit Roka in Kalimpong was also critical, he said, adding that all the protesters had refused to take any medical help. A total of 12 Yuva Morcha members — three each at Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kalimpong and Mirik are on an indefinite fast. The GJM took out rallies in various parts of the Hills in the morning, and demanded restoration of the Internet that was banned on June 18.