Tourists Relieved as GJM Defers Indefinite Strike till July 13

Bringing relief to scores of Indian and foreign tourists camping in the region, the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) has deferred its indefinite strike in Darjeeling hills till July 13, say correspondents citing GJM office bearers. The strike was scheduled to commence on Saturday.

Media reports attributing the information to GJM Press and Publicity secretary, Benoy Tamang, said tat the strike call was issued following the West Bengal government’s refusal to transfer a battery of senior police officials from the area.

Thr GJM is seeking the relocation of IGP KL Tamta, ASP A Chaturvedi and Kurseong SDoP by 1200 hours on July 13, failing which the party would remain committed to the strike call.

Tamang alleged that the officers were responsible for ordering a lathicharge on GJM supporters at a rally in Panighata area on Friday, 25 GJM supporters suffered injuries due to the police action, he added

He further contended that repeated failure to gain political ground in the hills, since the formation of the GJM in September 2007, had “frustrated” the ruling party.

Deferring the strike, sources in the party said the decision was taken to enable tourists to leave the hills and local people to stock up on essentials.

Tourism in the North Bengal hills has suffered serious setbacks due to repeated strike calls and violent protests.

Security apprehensions forced tourists out of the hills due to a similar indefinite strike called by the GJM in June 2008. They again fled the area during a relay hunger strike organised by the student wing of the Gurkha body in November.

Incidentally, during the hunger strike Gorkha Jana Vidyarthi Morcha (GJVM) had sought curtailments on IG KL Tamta’s entry into the Darjeeling Hills.

The GJM has repeatedly accused of IG Tamta of favoring another Gurkha faction the All India Gurkha League (AIGL) and its chief Madan Tamang.