A meeting of GJAC on Friday decided to make the ongoing indefinite general shutdown in Darjeeling the final battle for Gorkhaland movement.
There has been a general shutdown in Darjeeling for nearly a month. Since August 3, all schools, colleges, factories and shops have been shut down in Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kalimpong and other towns, where nearly 1.6 million people of Nepali origin have been residing for years.[break]
When GJAC called a meeting, the locals of Darjeeling were expecting that the political parties would call off the indefinite strike and launch other forms of agitation. But, when GJAC decided to continue with the general shutdown, the locals have been disappointed.
Although it decided to carry on the general shutdown, GJAC on Saturday put on hold its strike, giving a temporary relief to the Darjeeling locals. However, from Sunday, all business outlets and educational institutes will be closed again, said GJAC.
Alongside the general shutdown, GJAC has also decided to carry on other forms of agitation. According to Enos Das Shrestha, chairman of GJAC, a group of sitting and former Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members from north-east India will leave for New Delhi on Sunday to lobby for Gorkhaland state.
“The team will submit a memorandum on Gorkhaland movement to leaders of ruling as well as opposition political parties and ministers,” said Pradhan.
On September 2 and 3, GJAC will once again launch “people´s curfew”. As part of the program, all people will voluntarily stay indoors, leaving the streets deserted for two days
“The objective of people´s curfew is to show to New Delhi the level of commitment that we have to our demand for Gorkhaland state,” said Pradhan. “The program will be carried out across the proposed Gorkhaland area.”
According to Dr Harka Bahadur Chhetri, spokesperson for GJAC, they will announce other protest programs by assessing the impact of New Delhi visit and the “people´s curfew”. “We have decided to pay any price for our state,” said he.
Amidst complaints of problems facing students due to closure of schools and colleges, GJAC has decided to keep all educational institutes closed until further notice. “We will not allow schools and colleges to reopen,” said Bhaskar Rai of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, affiliated to GJAC. “However, we will take further decision after holding an interaction with student organizations.”
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