Can't be intimidated with threats, Mamata tells GJM

West Bengal Chief Minister on Mamata Banerjee on Monday asserted she will not be intimidated with Gorkha Janmukti Morcha's (GJM) "threats" and claimed it will run away after spurring episodes of violence.

"If someone tells me in a loving way to wash their dishes, even that I will do. But I don't bow down to threats. If I am threatened, I know how to get the work done. Didnt you see how they (the GJM) had tried to intimidate me in Darjeeling ? They had said they will not let me access the hills... but I went there, held meetings and safeguarded peace.

"They threw bombs for two days and then you will see that they run away. People will remain there. The hill people are very good. Goondas (hooligans) can never be country's asset," Banerjee said addressing a public meeting here in South 24-Parganas district.

The GJM called for a shutdown in the Northern West Bengal hills, beginning Monday, demanding a separate Gorkhaland.

It is also protesting against, what it calls, the state government's "attempt" to impose Bengali on the Nepali-speaking people of the region, even though Banerjee has ruled out any such plans for the hills.