Gorkhaland agitation: Violence near Siliguri, GJM gives Centre Aug 8 ultimatum

GJM leaders alleged that the police opened fire at the chowk, although police officials said only rubber bullets were fired. A protester identified as Ajay Chettri, a resident of Garidhura, was allegedly shot on the head, according to GJM spokesperson and party’s additional general secretary Binoy Tamang. Claiming that the police shot real bullets, Tamang said, “He (Chhetri) was hit on the head…we don’t believe he will survive. The four others are being treated in hospital.”

He said the area remains tense and clashes were on even late in the afternoon. Earlier, even as the clashes broke out in the morning, GJM chief Bimal Gurung convened an emergency meeting at the party’s headquarters at Patleybas, on the outskirts of Darjeeling. GJM’s Tamang said: “This is the 46th day of the indefinite strike. People are dying and suffering, but there has been no word from the Central government on the issue of Gorkhaland. Even our MP, S S Ahluwalia (of BJP), has remained completely silent. So we have issued an ultimatum to the Centre — they need to resolve the situation by 6 pm on August 8.”

If the government fails to find a solution, Tamang said, the GJM and other supporters of Gorkhaland will chart future action. “There will be a complete shutdown in the Hills from August 9,” he said. “We have already informed people to stock up food, rations and other essential commodities – there will be no relaxation from August 9; there will be a complete prohibition on vehicular movement.”

The GJM’s day-long meeting ended at 5 pm. Unlike in the past, when all Gorkha parties in the Hills took collective decisions since the strike began last month, Saturday’s decision on the ultimatum comes from the GJM alone. The protests initially began in opposition to the Bengal government’s decision to make Bengali a compulsory language in schools. The protesters subsequently revived the old demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland.