GJM poster in Kurseong says bandh to continue

Darjeeling: Growing differences within the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha camp became evident on Wednesday the day after the Kolkata meeting.

A poster appeared in Kurseong iterating GJM President Bimal Gurung's statement. The poster stated that the GJM has rejected appeal by the Chief Minister for the lifting of the indefinite bandh. "The bandh will not be lifted unless the GJM Central Committee meeting called by Bimal Gurung takes a decision to that effect. We appeal to the vehicle owners and drivers and business establishments to continue supporting the strike for Gorkhaland," stated the poster signed by GJM, Kurseong.

Meanwhile, the five-member GJM team led by Binay Tamang that had taken part in the talks called by the state government in Nabanna on Tuesday will be returning to the Hills on Thursday.

Sources state that a large number of GJM supporters will be dropping down to Bagdogra Airport to receive this group. "The team led by GJM Chief Coordinator Binay Tamang will be addressing a massive rally in Kurseong on Thursday," stated Kishor Thapa, a GJM leader from Kurseong.

This is quite contrary to what Gurung in an audio communication from an undisclosed location had stated on Tuesday. Gurung had stated that he would call an emergent GJM Central Committee meeting in a day or two and would ask the five GJM representatives to clarify on what went on in the Nabanna talks.

Gurung had also stated that the bandh would not be lifted unless the Gorkhaland was discussed in a meeting with the government. In the Nabanna talks, the CM had stated that the issue of Gorkhaland is not in the jurisdiction of the state. Gurung had countered this through the audio communication stating that the CM should give her statement in writing and the GJM would then approach the Centre with the demand.

Meanwhile, in Kalimpong, one Bijay Chettri, a GJM supporter was arrested under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and Explosive Substances Act. "He has been arrested from Kalimpong in connection with the IED blast at the Kalimpong police station on August 19," stated Ajit Kumar Yadav, Superintendent of Police, Kalimpong.

On August 19 night, an IED on the lines of a hand grenade was lobbed at the Kalimpong police station which killed a civic police and grievously injured a Home Guard personnel.