GJM replacing signboards, number plates from 'WB' to 'GL'

Siliguri, Oct 17 (UNI) The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), spearheading the movement for a separate state, today began replacing all signboards outside government, private offices, markets and other places in Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong subdivisions from 'West Bengal' to 'Gorkhaland'.

The GJM activists also changed the number plates of all vehicles in the hill areas from 'WB' to 'GL'.

A rally was also held at Darjeeling Chowrasta, addressed by GJM chief Bimal Gurung, in support of separate statehood demand.

Darjeeling District Magistrate Surendra Kumar Gupta informed that all the government offices, where the signboards had been replaced, have been directed to submit written complaints to the police stations and accordingly cases will be filed against the perpetrators.

'' The personnel of the concerned police stations have also been instructed to remove the Gorkhaland signboards and file cases,'' the DM added.

Darjeeling Superintendent of Police Rahul Srivastava informed that no arrests were made in this connection so far, adding that the situation was peaceful so far with no reports of violence from anywhere.

''We will take action according to the directives issued by the Writers' Buildings and instructions from the higher authorities as and when necessary,'' the SP added.

Meanwhile, in Siliguri, the CITU convention decided to launch a counter-agitation against the demand to carve a separate state outside West Bengal.

'' We will monitor the situation over the next few days and if the forceful replacement of West Bengal signboards continues, we will launch an agitation from October 22. We will not allow any vehicle from the plains to move to the hill areas,'' Darjeeling district CITU secretariat member Ajay Chakraborty said.

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