Gurung warns of violent stir, blames CM

Speaking at a public rally in Sibchu in Darjeeling where three people were killed in police firing last year, Gurung warned that their movement may not remain "peaceful and Gandhian" anymore as it was all these years under his leadership.

Accusing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of "trampling on Gorkha hearts", Gurung made a personal attack on the Trinamool Congress leadership saying, "Mamata has no mamata (compassion)". He held her responsible for vitiating the peaceful condition of the Hills by precipitating a crisis in the region.

Warning her that the government's "rough and tough" strategy of Junglemahal will not work in the Hills, Gurung said: "If one Bimal Gurung is eliminated, there will be hundred Bimal Gurungs to take up the Gorkha cause."

He said that the present state government was playing with fire and described the earlier Left Front government as much more sober and decent. He said he will announce stepping down from the GTA, ruled by his party, either at Kalimpong rally on February 17 or the one scheduled to be held in Sukna on March 10. "I'm not bound by any accord," he said, referring to the tripartite agreement signed between GJM, state government and Centre paving the way for GTA's creation.

North Bengal Development Minister Gautam Deb has, meanwhile, sought a meeting with Gurung on the direction of the chief minister, Trinamool sources said.

Meanwhile, the district administration made arrangements for adequate police force to be deployed in Darjeeling during Saturday's bandh. The bandh has been called in Darjeeling after 21 months. "We will have police force and combat forces from outside Darjeeling," said a senior police officer.

Lepchas firm on fast, GJM to send emissary

Hundreds of Lepchas continued with their hunger strike unto death in Kalimpong protesting "unwanted politics" over the identity of the Lepchas. Lepcha leaders made it clear that under no circumstances they will withdraw the hunger strike. "We will not quit. Our hunger strike will continue. Today, at least 500 more Lepchas from several places have joined the hunger strike," said Bhupinder Lepcha, convener of the Lepcha Rights Movement.

This amidst GJM chief Bimal Gurung saying that his outfit has nothing against the Lepchas. "We are not against the formation of the development council and not against Lepchas. We are against the government's policies to create a divide among the people of the Hills. This is the government's ploy to make brothers fight with each other. The government is playing all these games to dilute the Gorkhaland issue and to demotivate our people," Gurung said. He said that he will soon send a team of GJM leaders to talk to Lepcha leaders on hunger strike.

ALSO READ

Saradha scam: Debjani Mukherjee denies intimate relation with Sudipta Sen

Chit fund scam: Mamata govt against handing over Saradha probe to CBI

Its credibility at stake, Rose Valley struck KKR deal for brand-building last year

Sachin Tendulkar turns 40 today but his routine remains the same