In an interesting development the GJM (Gorkha Janmukti Morcha) has decided to limit the ongoing strike in the hills from 16th to 18th August(Thursday to Sunday). Also, the Morcha is not dismantling the GTA---the adminstrative body ruling the hill states---yet.
The state government is also sending a minister and high level officials to ensure food supply in the hills on Tuesday. An all-party meeting called by the GJM was held in the Darjeeling hills on Monday though the TMC, CPI(M), Congress and GNLF stayed away, even as the bandh entered the 10th day.
The all-party meeting was held to determine the future of the movement to demand Gorkhaland on the lines of Telangana and in view of chief minister Mamata Banerjee declaring it illegal and urging GJM leaders to call it off within 72-hours.
The GJM president Bimal Gurung, general secretary Roshan Giri and other top leaders were present at the meeting.The all-party meeting was attended by the BJP, All India Gorkha League, and small parties such as Hill Congress, Gorkha Nirman Parishad and the CPRM among others.
The chief minister had also mentioned the Calcutta high court order to the state government to maintain normalcy in the hills.
Altogether 16 GJM supporters, including top ones, were arrested since Sunday night, police sources said. GTA councillor Kalyan Dewan was picked up from Kalimpong as also GJM trade union leader Sumir Tirua who were among the 16 arrested taking the total number of arrests to 184.
Superintendent of Police Kunal Agarwal said that another five companies of the CRPF would be arriving in Darjeeling from Assam to bolster the five companies already there. The GJM has ruled out negotiations with the state government and insisted on talks only with the Centre.
The state government is also sending a minister and high level officials to ensure food supply in the hills on Tuesday. An all-party meeting called by the GJM was held in the Darjeeling hills on Monday though the TMC, CPI(M), Congress and GNLF stayed away, even as the bandh entered the 10th day.
The all-party meeting was held to determine the future of the movement to demand Gorkhaland on the lines of Telangana and in view of chief minister Mamata Banerjee declaring it illegal and urging GJM leaders to call it off within 72-hours.
The GJM president Bimal Gurung, general secretary Roshan Giri and other top leaders were present at the meeting.The all-party meeting was attended by the BJP, All India Gorkha League, and small parties such as Hill Congress, Gorkha Nirman Parishad and the CPRM among others.
The chief minister had also mentioned the Calcutta high court order to the state government to maintain normalcy in the hills.
Altogether 16 GJM supporters, including top ones, were arrested since Sunday night, police sources said. GTA councillor Kalyan Dewan was picked up from Kalimpong as also GJM trade union leader Sumir Tirua who were among the 16 arrested taking the total number of arrests to 184.
Superintendent of Police Kunal Agarwal said that another five companies of the CRPF would be arriving in Darjeeling from Assam to bolster the five companies already there. The GJM has ruled out negotiations with the state government and insisted on talks only with the Centre.