Hours after insistence by union home minister, Rajnath Singh, Gorkhaland Janmukti Morcha (GJM) faction led by Binay Tamang called off the ongoing protests after over 100 days in Darjeeling. Rajnath appealed the GJM to withdraw the ongoing strike in the Hills and told the union home secretary, Rajeev Gauba to call an official-level meeting to talk about the issues raised by GJM with all parties involved.
The statement by Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday said the government is taking all steps possible to sort out the row in Darjeeling. “I appeal to the GJM and its leader Bimal Gurung to withdraw the ongoing bandh and to help create a conducive atmosphere for allowing normalcy to return to the area, particularly in view of the festival season,” he said.
Only talks could offer a solution under a democratic setup, he said.
The indefinite strike was continued since June 12. The strike began after the West Bengal police raided the office and residence of GJM chief Bimal Gurung. The protest started with retraction of state government’s order making Bengali a compulsory subject in schools, but soon the demand of a separate Gorkhaland following the raids on Gurung began.
