AMN
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Saturday warned Gorkha Janmukti Morcha GJM saying strict action will be taken against those creating unrest in the state. She said her government would not go for any compromise and deal with those who violated law.
Ms. Banerjee said this while speaking to reporters at ‘Uttarkanya’, the mini-secretariat in Siliguri after reviewing the latest situation in the hills at a high level meeting. Chief Seretary, Home Secretary, DG Police and high officials were present in the meeting.
She came down heavily on GJM for calling the Bandh at a time when tourism is at its peak in the hills. Moreover, Supreme Court has already termed Bandh as illegal, she reiterated. Mamata Banerjee alleged that Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, GTA had been involved in corruption for the last five years. She added, a new GTA Board would be in place by 2nd of August this year.
GJM president Bimal Gurung said, demand for Gorkhaland, a separate statehood, is their only and one point programme. After an emergency party meeting at Singmari he said, they are not responsible for the unrest in Darjeeling.
GJM calls for an indefinite strike in the hills from Monday demanding a separate Gorkhaland. However, schools, colleges, transport, hotels and shops will be exempted. All government offices and banks will remain open from June 27 to June 30, 2017.
Meanwhile Darjeeling is coming back to normal life. No fresh incident of violence was reported. Army staged flagmarch in different parts of the district. Stranded tourists are moving towards plains since this morning. They are being provided with free bus service facilities.
This will continue till tomorrow. Additional police personnel have been deployed to ensure safety of the passengers. Local people have also come forward to help them.
Meanwhile, the Aviation Ministry has allotted two special flights of Air India and Spice Jet from Bagdogra to Kolkata today for stranded tourists. Bagdogra Airport Director said, on-line bookings for those two flights have started. The Air India flight will depart Bagdogra at 3.40 pm, while the Spicejet flight will leave at 6.35 pm.